Mark Dankberg, Viasat’s chairman and CEO, addressed Equatys – the company’s proposed joint-venture with Abu Dhabi-based Space42 – during the company’s results presentation, saying that the project was moving ahead.

The project calls for 2,800 satellites to be orbited. First announced in September 2025, the initiative aims to build a shared, neutral wholesale network that connects standard mobile phones and IoT devices via satellite using 3GPP standards.

Dabnkberg told analysts: “In terms of Equatys, our intent with the next major announcement would be the funding of the initial satellite constellation. That’s really the catalyst for the next round of disclosures, [and] how much new capacity will come online.”

He declined to be more specific on timing saying: “I’m not going to talk about the timing of that announcement, but that is what we’re focused on, is the details of a satellite constellation procurement for Equatys and then what that means for each of the users of the Equatys constellation, with us and Space42 being the two largest and initial users of it. In terms of the amount of increase in capacity, boy, that’s going to be orders of magnitude.”

It has been widely rumoured that Viasat and Space42 are seeking a third member of the grouping, and at one stage it was reported – but not confirmed – that discussions had taken place with Rocket Lab but those discussions ended when Rocket Lab made its move to acquire Iridium.

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Categories: Articles, Broadband, Satellite

Tags: equatys, space42, Viasat