Space42 and Viasat have signed a binding agreement to establish Equatys, a shared satellite and ground-infrastructure platform for direct-to-device connectivity. The founders expect to commit up to $1 billion in initial equity, subject to formation and regulatory conditions.

The model matters because it treats space infrastructure like a shared tower network. Mobile and satellite operators could use a common layer while retaining their spectrum rights, customers and commercial relationships. The proposed architecture is designed to scale to 2,800 satellites and support ordinary smartphones and connected devices in places where terrestrial coverage is weak or unavailable.

The GCC business opportunity

For Gulf telecom operators, the value is not coverage alone. Shared infrastructure can lower duplicated capital spending and create new services for logistics, energy, maritime operations, emergency response and remote communities. The commercial test will be whether operators can turn technically broader coverage into products customers understand and trust.

Businesses should prepare use cases around continuity: tracking cargo beyond cellular zones, keeping field teams connected and maintaining essential communications during terrestrial disruption. Clear service levels, pricing and data governance will matter as much as the satellite technology.

Source: Viasat announcement, 14 September 2026.

Karim's strategic takeaway

Equatys could make resilient connectivity a shared regional utility. The strongest GCC advantage will come from building useful services on top of that layer, not merely celebrating the size of the constellation.