Equatys logo. Photo: Space42 and Viasat

Viasat and Space42 have shared more details about the Equatys direct-to-device (D2D) joint venture, including that Equatys will be supported by up to 2,800 satellites. 

Equatys has been pitched as applying a tower company infrastructure model to satellite services, where multiple tenants share the infrastructure of satellites in orbit. The system is expected to operate initially in globally harmonized L- and S-band mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum. 

The satellite architecture of up to 2,800 satellites across 60 orbital planes and three altitude layers would be deployed by Viasat and Space42, the companies said. It would be designed where satellites could be added as the business scales, without redesigning the system. 

Viasat and Space42 announced Equatys in September last year, with the bold goal of delivering services within three years. The partners gave an update during Mobile World Congress and released an announcement on March 10. 

“With Equatys, we are building a platform that empowers nations, operators, and innovators to extend secure, affordable, 3GPP-aligned satellite connectivity to billions. This scalable global model ensures the full ecosystem of participants can benefit from lower barriers to entry, expanded supplier diversity and economies of scale, and stronger competitive dynamics across the value chain,” Viasat CEO Mark Dankberg commented. 

The Equatys joint venture has not yet been officially formed. The partners announced that they have moved to form the joint venture and made progress with engineering development and as well as initial commercial engagement with mobile network operators (MNOs). Space42 has announced partnerships to explore Equatys-enabled D2D connectivity with e& UAE and with PT Telkom Satelit Indonesia (Telkomsat), Indonesia’s national satellite operator.

“Equatys demonstrates how space-enabled mobility can modernize legacy mobile satellite services, augment terrestrial networks in lacking areas, and unlock new services across markets,” Space42 Managing Director Karim Michel Sabbagh commented.