LATEST NEWS   Malaysia Day: Visitors to the fireworks at Kuching Waterfront are advised to wear face masks due to the haze - Fahmi | 2026 Malaysia Day exhibition has been expanded to digital platforms, in response to the Prime Minister's call to make MA63 a national narrative - Fahmi | The appointment of an independent audit firm is in line with the recommendations of the Prime Minister, the MACC, and the Special Committee HTF30 | FGV appoints independent audit firm to look into specific matters involving an entity with corporate ties to the group – FELDA | Teenage boy charged with murdering female student at Bandar Utama school has been acquitted, Shah Alam High Court orders him to be placed at Hospital Bahagia | 
BUSINESS • 14/09/2026 05:28 PM

Space42, Viasat To Form Shared Space And Ground Infrastructure Platform

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- Space42, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based artificial intelligence (AI)-powered SpaceTech company, and Viasat Inc have signed an agreement to formally establish Equatys, a shared space and ground infrastructure platform, with the two companies to make an initial equity contribution of up to US$1 billion. (US$1 = RM4.06)

Announced at World Space Business Week in Paris, Equatys will support the extension of mobile coverage to areas that terrestrial networks cannot serve, including coverage gaps in populated metropolitan areas.

Viasat, a global leader in satellite and secure communications, is expected to be appointed as Equatys’ prime technology contractor, according to Space42 in a statement.

Ad Banner

Space42 and Viasat have commercial relationships with more than 400 mobile operators worldwide and access to over 100 megahertz (MHz) of globally coordinated Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum for Direct-to-Device (D2D) deployment, creating a scalable foundation for the venture.

Equatys will support the connection of smartphones, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and other devices and terminals directly to satellites, allowing mobile operators to offer voice, text and data where cellular networks are otherwise unavailable or have low density.

The agreement builds on work by Space42 and Viasat on the technical design and manufacture of the satellites, along with progress in terrestrial network integration, interoperability standards and engagement with mobile network operators and other ecosystem participants.

Ad Banner
Ad Banner

Built on a Tower Company model, which helped the terrestrial mobile industry scale by sharing standardised and common infrastructure among operators, Equatys will provide a neutral, shared layer of satellite and ground infrastructure.

By sharing infrastructure rather than duplicating it, ecosystem participants can reduce capital requirements, accelerate deployment, increase service availability, and maintain customer and commercial independence.

Multiple operators will be able to use the same platform while maintaining their own spectrum licensing rights, customers and commercial relationships. The model is designed to allow additional spectrum licensees and satellite operators to participate as the system scales.

-- BERNAMA

More News

Categories

Tags