Equatys Enters D2D Race With Shared Satellite 'Tower' Model

BARCELONA, Spain – March 02, 2026 – Amid the bustling halls of Mobile World Congress, UAE-based Space42 and U.S. satellite giant Viasat today unveiled the most detailed vision yet for Equatys, their ambitious joint venture aimed at delivering direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity on a global scale. The venture, positioned as a neutral infrastructure provider, aims to extend 3GPP-based mobile service to billions of people currently beyond the reach of terrestrial networks, marking a significant new entry in the increasingly competitive space-based communications market.

During their first public showcase, the cofounders outlined a strategy that diverges from key competitors by creating a shared, multi-participant platform. This 'space TowerCo' model is designed to lower the financial and technical barriers for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to offer satellite-based services, promising to reshape the economics of global connectivity.

A New Contender in the Crowded Space Race

Equatys enters a dynamic market where several major players are already making significant strides. SpaceX's Starlink has initiated D2D messaging services with T-Mobile in the U.S., while AST SpaceMobile has demonstrated video calling capabilities and secured a partnership with Vodafone for a planned 2026 European launch. Both competitors, along with others like Lynk Global, are primarily focused on using terrestrial mobile spectrum to connect directly with standard smartphones.

Equatys, however, is charting a different course. The venture plans to operate in globally harmonized L- and S-band Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum. The companies state this approach provides a technical capability to operate across over 100 MHz of globally allocated and coordinated spectrum, which they claim would be the largest coordinated block for D2D services. This strategy is intended to sidestep the significant technical and regulatory challenges of potential interference that can arise when reusing terrestrial spectrum for satellite services.

"Space-enabled mobility is a foundational layer for global, seamless connectivity," said Mark Dankberg, CEO and Chairman of Viasat. "With Equatys, we are building a platform that empowers nations, operators, and innovators to extend secure, affordable, 3GPP-aligned satellite connectivity to billions."

The 'Space TowerCo' Model: A Paradigm Shift?

At the heart of the Equatys strategy is its business model, which mirrors the successful terrestrial tower industry. Instead of each MNO building its own costly satellite network, Equatys will own and operate a shared constellation, leasing capacity to multiple operators. This multi-tenant approach is designed to create massive economies of scale and dramatically lower the capital expenditure required for MNOs to enter the D2D market.

"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," Dankberg added, emphasizing a commitment to "a frictionless end-user experience with seamless handover enabling choice for the carriers."

This model positions Equatys not as a direct competitor to MNOs, but as a wholesale infrastructure partner. For its part, Space42 has signaled a substantial financial commitment, with plans to invest approximately $600 million in capital expenditure for the venture between 2026 and 2030. The venture is also structured to attract further investment, with phased equity offerings planned to bring in additional strategic and financial partners as the system scales.

Ambition in Orbit: A Constellation of Thousands

To realize its vision, Equatys plans an extensive satellite architecture comprising up to 2,800 satellites distributed across 60 orbital planes and three distinct altitude layers. This mega-constellation is designed for scalability, allowing for densification as market demand for D2D services grows, potentially catering to billions of users.

Aligning with 3GPP standards is a cornerstone of the technical plan, ensuring that standard mobile devices can transition seamlessly between terrestrial and satellite networks without user intervention. This interoperability is critical for widespread adoption.

"Equatys reflects disciplined execution against a clear objective: combining the scale of terrestrial networks with the efficiency of space," stated Karim Michel Sabbagh, Managing Director of Space42. He noted that the collaboration has already achieved significant engineering milestones since its announcement in September 2025.

The venture's structure also directly addresses the growing importance of national autonomy in space. "Equatys is being built on the principle that shared infrastructure benefits all," commented Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Space Services at Space42. "The spectrum access model allows nations to retain their sovereign autonomy and licensee control, while advancing satellite capacity with significant cost savings."

Building Alliances and Navigating Hurdles

While the vision is grand, the path to deployment is contingent on clearing significant commercial and regulatory milestones. Space42 has already announced initial partnerships to explore Equatys-enabled services with e& UAE, the flagship telecom arm of e&, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT Telkom Satelit Indonesia (Telkomsat), Indonesia's national satellite operator.

These early engagements demonstrate tangible interest from MNOs in the shared infrastructure model. However, the press release explicitly states that the venture remains "subject to definitive agreements, regulatory approvals, and customary closing conditions." Navigating the complex web of international and national regulations for spectrum use and service provision will be a critical task. The venture's use of dedicated MSS spectrum may simplify this process compared to competitors, but securing landing rights and service approvals on a country-by-country basis remains a formidable challenge for any global satellite operator.

The progress shared at Mobile World Congress marks a formal entry into the global D2D race, but the coming months will be crucial in turning these ambitious plans and preliminary agreements into a fully operational and licensed global network.