OTTAWA, Ontario -
Wednesday, 28. October 2026
- Space42 and Viasat, co-founders of Equatys, and Terrestar
Solutions sign a memorandum of understanding to develop an open,
standards-based interoperability framework between Equatys and
Terrestar’s CaStar constellation
- Each infrastructure operator would retain ownership and control
of its own space and ground assets and customers, with CaStar operating
as a sovereign Canadian system while interworking with Equatys globally
- The shared infrastructure framework combines nationally
controlled assets with global shared satellite infrastructure, unlocking
greater scale and economic benefits and enabling next-generation
direct-to-device and advanced mobile satellite services for nations,
enterprises, and consumers worldwide
(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the
UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company, and Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT),
a global leader in satellite and secure communications, and Terrestar
Solutions Inc., Canada's only sovereign mobile-satellite services
operator, today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to
collaborate on developing an open, standards-based interoperability
framework between Terrestar's planned Canadian low-Earth orbit (LEO)
constellation, CaStar, and Equatys, a planned global shared
infrastructure platform for direct-to-device (D2D) services and other
advanced Mobile-Satellite Services (MSS). The MOU was signed on the
sidelines of the official visit of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin
Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, United Arab
Emirates, to Canada, where His Highness attended talks with the Right
Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada.
The framework is intended to allow the two systems,
together with their respective ground segments, to interwork as a
coordinated multi-system non-terrestrial network (NTN) infrastructure,
while each operator retains full ownership and control of its own
assets. This approach is designed to enable global scale while
preserving national sovereignty over critical communications
infrastructure.
The MoU advances a partnership model that would
combine Terrestar's position as a Canadian-controlled and
Canadian-operated MSS provider with Equatys' role as a shared,
multi-tenant, interoperable global infrastructure enabling D2D and
advanced MSS services in a 5G network environment. The collaboration
between Equatys’s founders and Terrestar is the first example of
Equatys’s “sovereign shell” approach that combines a global commercial
system with constellations optimized for specific countries or regions,
each with their dedicated ground segment and run by a trusted local
operator, built to common standards that keep them fully interoperable.
Rather than relying on proprietary, point-to-point
integration, the parties intend to define a common, open, and
standards-based interoperability layer. This approach is expected to
foster collaboration, drive adoption, reduce capital and operational
expenditures, and enable better coordination of power, beams, capacity,
and ground gateway access among participating systems.
Today’s announcement comes after Space42 and Viasat
signed a binding agreement in September 2026 to co-found Equatys, backed
by up to USD 1 billion in combined equity commitments.
Speaking on the occasion, Karim Michel Sabbagh, Managing Director of Space42, said:
"This MoU demonstrates how sovereign satellite systems and shared
global infrastructure can work together to deliver D2D services
globally. Terrestar maintains its position as Canada's independent MSS
operator while exploring how to participate in a broader ecosystem. We
are introducing a model where national capabilities and international
collaboration reinforce rather than compete with one another."
Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO of Viasat, said: “By
advancing a global, standards-based open architecture with an
interoperability framework via a shared infrastructure model, we are
continuing to expand an ecosystem that will be uniquely positioned to
drive mass adoption within the significant D2D and next-generation MSS
market. This collaboration with Terrestar underscores Equatys’
innovative approach to offer a foundation for choice and
interoperability and provide compelling economic benefits from
geographic and spectral efficiencies to participating global, regional,
and national space operators. Equatys is committed to working across the
global space industry, as well as with the broader ecosystem including
MNOs, OEMs, chipset vendors, regulators and standards bodies.”
Jacques Leduc, President and CEO of Terrestar Solutions, said: “The
future of mobile satellite connectivity won’t be built by countries or
constellations acting alone. It will be built through open
standards-based networks that combine national sovereignty with global
reach, positioning us to compete at scale. While working hand-in-hand
with the Canadian space ecosystem, CaStar is Canada’s contribution to
that future: Canadian-controlled, globally connected, and built to work
with other mid-power countries like Canada. We look forward to helping
build a truly global network together with our partners at Space42 and
Viasat. Terrestar’s ambition is to seamlessly integrate satellite and
terrestrial mobile networks, bringing connectivity to everyday devices.
Our goal is to make mobile satellite connectivity a reality for every
Canadian, wherever they live, work, or travel around the world. This MoU
is just the beginning.”
His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said:
“The UAE’s deepening trade and investment links with Canada, embodied
in the newly signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, are
laying the foundations for long-term, mutually beneficial collaborations
in critical sectors. The memorandum of understanding between Space42,
Viasat and Terrestar Solutions is a clear example, bringing together
companies from the UAE, the United States and Canada to develop shared,
standards-based infrastructure for the next generation of satellite
connectivity. Collaboration of this kind reflects the UAE’s vision of
deeper economic integration, where partnership drives innovation that
can cross borders, scale quickly and attract long-term capital.”
Partnership Framework
The MoU reflects a shift away from closed,
single-operator satellite systems toward an open standards-based model,
in which independent constellations can interwork as a coordinated
multi-system NTN infrastructure. Under the proposed framework, the
parties would define a common standardized interoperability layer
linking their respective space and ground segments. This layer would
rely on published, vendor-neutral interfaces aligned with 3GPP NTN
specifications, GSMA roaming and interconnection frameworks, and other
recognized industry standards, avoiding proprietary lock-in.
Each participating operator would retain control of
its own space and ground assets, authorizations and customer
relationships, interacting with other systems only through agreed
interfaces. Within that boundary, each system would make defined
resources and capabilities, such as power, beams and gateway access,
available to the others, supported by common mechanisms for resource
requests, allocation, monitoring, usage accounting and settlement.
The framework is also designed to respect national
sovereignty and security. System infrastructure serving a given
jurisdiction could be located and operated to meet local regulatory,
security and lawful access requirements. In Canada, for example, the
CaStar constellation would operate as a sovereign national system, with
Canadian gateways and ground network keeping domestic data within
Canadian jurisdiction, while interworking with Equatys at a global
scale.
Finally, the framework is intended to be extensible,
to accommodate additional satellite systems, mobile network operators
and service providers over time, and evolve with successive releases of
industry standards.
About Equatys
Equatys will be an independent, neutral shared space and ground
infrastructure platform for direct-to-device and advanced mobile
satellite services licensees, co-founded by Space42 and Viasat under a
binding agreement backed by up to USD 1 billion in combined equity
commitments. Operating on a Tower Company model, it is designed to
deliver compelling economic and performance benefits to global, regional
and national operators holding appropriate MSS and/or SCS licenses, and
to enable choice, interoperability and economically attractive NTN
access for ecosystem participants. As the user base expands through
access to globally coordinated spectrum, Equatys seeks to deliver
compounding growth and sustainable shareholder value. It is being built
on 3GPP NTN standards.
For more information, visit www.equatys.com
About SPACE42
Space42 (ADX: SPACE42) is a UAE-based, AI-powered
SpaceTech company that integrates satellite communications and
geospatial intelligence to enlighten the Earth from space. It operates
through two business units. Space Services runs a fleet of geostationary
satellites, including the Thuraya mobile network, delivering secure
connectivity across land, sea, and air in more than 120 countries. Smart
Solutions operates a synthetic aperture radar constellation in low
Earth orbit, covering 90% of the world’s population, and uses AI to turn
that imagery into actionable insight. Space42 serves governments and
enterprises across defense and security, energy, environmental
conservation, and autonomous mobility. Major shareholders include G42,
Mubadala and International Holding Company (IHC).
For more information, visit: space42.ai
LinkedIn: Space42ai
Instagram: Space42ai
X: Space42ai
About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and
everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries
around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses,
governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect.
Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power
high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to
positively impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the
air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May
2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams,
technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global
communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, and YouTube.
About Terrestar Solutions
Terrestar Solutions Inc. is the only Canadian-controlled mobile
satellite operator engaged in the race to bring direct-to-device
satellite services to smartphones and IoT devices and make
anywhere-in-Canada communication a reality. Terrestar is committed to
nurturing the ever-evolving, standards-based and open network ecosystem,
enabling Mobile Network Operators to deliver ubiquitous communication
services. Thanks to the Echostar T1 satellite, its ground network
infrastructure and 40 MHz of S-band mobile-satellite spectrum, Terrestar
connects Canadians from almost anywhere in the country, even in
Canada’s most remote regions, through its Strigo Mobile Satellite
Service (MSS). The Strigo service also supports non-profit and First
Nations organizations, a testament to the Company’s powerful sense of
responsibility toward the welfare and progress of the communities it
serves. Its upcoming CaStar low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellation will
support the evolution of satellite services toward a cellular-like
experience across Canada’s entire landmass. For more information, visit terrestarsolutions.ca or follow them on LinkedIn.
Media Contacts
Media.relations@equatys.com
Space42
media@space42.ai
Viasat
PR@viasat.com
Terrestar Solutions
Marie-Eve Francoeur
media@terrestar.ca
Legal Notice and Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information
This announcement contains forward-looking statements based on
current expectations and assumptions about future events that are
subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements—identified by terms
such as "expect," "will," “anticipate,” “plan,” “designed,” “target” or
similar—are subject to risks and uncertainties and may prove inaccurate.
Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements that refer
to the formation of Equatys; the timing and amount of the parties'
respective equity contributions; the enabling of global D2D and advanced
mobile satellite services, including the timing of commercial rollout;
the procurement, design, manufacture, launch and deployment of Equatys'
first-generation constellation and related ground network; the design,
business model, features, performance and benefits of the Equatys
platform; the investment framework, including expected benefits, risks
and returns; the closing of definitive agreements, including the
satisfaction of regulatory and other closing conditions; and plans,
objectives and strategies for future operations. Readers are cautioned
that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ include: risks and uncertainties related to the formation of
Equatys and the closing of definitive agreements, including the failure
to obtain required regulatory approvals; the failure to satisfy the
closing conditions on a timely basis or at all; the parties’ ability to
fund their respective equity commitments; risks associated with the
construction, launch and operation of satellites, including the effect
of any anomaly, launch, operational or deployment failure or degradation
in satellite performance; changes in relationships with, or the
financial condition of, key customers, suppliers or ecosystem partners;
the ability to successfully develop, introduce and sell new
technologies, products and services; increasing levels of competition in
target markets; the ability for Equatys to successfully implement its
business plan on the anticipated timeline or at all; regulatory risks;
and other risks affecting the communications and D2D industries
generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in
Viasat’s SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Viasat’s most
recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The
parties undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking
statements for any reason.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ba97aa0a-966f-446f-9712-3e92618092ab
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5d62d71c-0bc0-44f9-82b9-9e1ec8b44d0f
