Viasat & Space42 Partner with e& for UAE Mobile Satellite Service
▼ Summary
– Equatys, a joint venture between Viasat and Space42, has partnered with e&’s telecom arm to commercialize direct-to-device connectivity in the UAE.
– The partnership aims to develop a space-based service within three years to connect devices beyond terrestrial network coverage.
– Collaboration will focus on technical integration, regulatory compliance, research and development, and strategic growth across e&’s 38-market footprint.
– Equatys plans to use over 100 MHz of harmonized Mobile Satellite Spectrum across 160+ countries with a multi-tenant “space tower” model.
– The venture positions itself as a sovereignty-friendly alternative to SpaceX, emphasizing compliance with national spectrum policies for government control.
A major new collaboration is set to bring satellite connectivity directly to mobile phones across the United Arab Emirates. Viasat, the American satellite communications firm, has joined forces with UAE operator Space42 through their joint venture Equatys, securing e& as its inaugural mobile network partner. This landmark deal, finalized at the GITEX Global 2025 event in Dubai, represents a critical move toward launching commercial direct-to-device services in the region within the next three years. The service aims to provide reliable communication for devices operating outside the reach of conventional cellular networks.
The partnership between e& and Equatys will concentrate on four primary objectives. The first involves achieving smooth technical integration, ensuring terrestrial and satellite systems work together flawlessly while establishing standardized non-terrestrial network functions. A second focus is on regulatory and security cooperation, aligning spectrum usage, licensing, and data privacy standards across different jurisdictions. The third area is dedicated to research and development, featuring joint innovation labs and pilot programs to test how the satellite network integrates with existing 4G and 5G infrastructure. Finally, the partners will pursue strategic growth, building a shared product roadmap and investigating investment opportunities across e&’s extensive 38-market presence in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Established just last September, Equatys intends to utilize more than 100 MHz of harmonized Mobile Satellite Spectrum that spans over 160 countries. The venture is pioneering a multi-tenant “space tower” model, designed to replicate the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of shared terrestrial mobile towers. This approach also presents a sovereignty-friendly option for governments, as it prioritizes adherence to national spectrum policies and provides greater local oversight of satellite operations, positioning it as an alternative to other global providers.
The satellite communications sector is highly competitive, with several key players making significant strides. SpaceX continues its aggressive expansion, recently acquiring 50 MHz of spectrum from EchoStar in a monumental $17 billion transaction. Concurrently, AST SpaceMobile is advancing its own ambitious plans for a worldwide direct-to-device satellite network. In a related development, Space42 and e& have also revealed a separate agreement to cooperate on vehicle technology projects. This includes initiatives focused on autonomous mobility and the development of smart-city infrastructure throughout the UAE.
(Source: MEA Tech Watch)
