The Viasat Space42 Equatys platform will receive initial equity commitments of up to $1 billion from its founders to build shared space and ground infrastructure. Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) and Space42 signed the agreement during World Space Business Week in Paris.
Equatys is designed to connect ordinary smartphones, internet-of-things devices and other terminals directly to satellites. The network would allow mobile operators to extend voice, text and data services into areas where terrestrial cellular coverage is unavailable, sparse or interrupted.
Viasat Space42 Equatys Platform Targets Direct-to-Device Coverage
The companies also agreed to increase joint funding for the initial satellite constellation. Once Equatys is formally established, Viasat is expected to serve as prime technology contractor, giving it a central role in the platform’s technical development.
Viasat publishes corporate agreements through its official investor news archive. Equatys expects to combine founder equity with third-party equity and debt financing, meaning the final capital structure may extend beyond the initial commitments.
The Viasat Space42 Equatys platform addresses growing interest in direct-to-device satellite connectivity. Commercial success will depend on spectrum access, regulatory approvals, satellite deployment, handset compatibility and whether mobile carriers adopt the shared infrastructure at scale.
