Viasat and Space42 have officially agreed to launch a joint venture named Equatys. The new company will focus on developing shared satellite and ground infrastructure to support direct-to-device connectivity and mobile satellite services.
The partners plan to invest up to $1 billion in equity into the venture. Upon formation, the companies will contribute $800 million, with each party providing $400 million. This initial phase remains subject to regulatory approvals and the appointment of Viasat as the prime technology contractor.
Space42 intends to contribute an additional $200 million in a subsequent funding round, which will be open to external investors. The venture will operate on a telecom tower model, allowing operators to share infrastructure while retaining control over their own spectrum and customer bases.
Equatys aims to address connectivity gaps by enabling seamless handoffs between terrestrial networks and satellite systems to prevent dropped calls. The company targets unit economics comparable to terrestrial networks to ensure that satellite-based services remain cost-effective for end users.
