Terrestar Partners with Viasat and Space42 to Share Satellite Infrastructure

Image: Illustrative image · Viasat FILM · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

Terrestar Solutions teams up with Viasat and Space42 to establish a framework for shared satellite infrastructure, enabling scalable direct-to-device mobile connectivity while maintaining national control over critical networks.

Canadian company Terrestar Solutions has entered into an agreement with Emirati firm Space42 and American satellite operator Viasat to create an open-framework for sharing satellite infrastructure. This collaboration aims to deploy large-scale direct-to-device (D2D) mobile connectivity services while preserving national control over critical network components.

The memorandum of understanding specifically targets establishing interoperability standards between Terrestar's upcoming Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation named CaStar and Equatys, a satellite infrastructure joint venture formed by Space42 and Viasat. Equatys was launched to provide shared satellite infrastructure services globally, enabling operators to offer mobile satellite services more efficiently.

The proposed system enables partners to share network resources such as satellite capacity, beam coverage, power, and ground gateway access through vendor-neutral interfaces. These interfaces align with established 3GPP standards for non-terrestrial networks, GSMA roaming and interconnect frameworks, and recognized industry norms.

Importantly, Terrestar will maintain control of critical assets including CaStar’s satellites, ground gateways, and infrastructure within Canadian territory, ensuring Ottawa’s regulatory sovereignty. Meanwhile, it will leverage connections to Equatys’ global resources to extend coverage without building an entire global constellation independently.

This collaborative model aims to reduce both capital expenditures and operational costs for operators by allowing them to broaden their service coverage and capabilities without the need for separate, self-contained satellite constellations worldwide.

Space42 and Viasat had earlier signed a binding agreement in September to establish Equatys with committed equity funding up to one billion USD. Their joint venture focuses on providing shared infrastructure to satellite operators and other entities offering direct-to-device and advanced mobile satellite services.

Terrestar describes the initiative as the first application of Equatys’ "sovereign shell" model, which combines a shared global infrastructure platform with nationally controlled and operated satellite systems. This structure is designed to balance global connectivity and national sovereignty needs.

Jacques Leduc, CEO of Terrestar Solutions, emphasized the significance of collaboration, stating, "The future of mobile satellite connectivity will not be built by countries or constellations acting alone. It will be built through open, standards-based networks that combine national sovereignty with global reach, enabling us to compete at scale."

This partnership represents a strategic effort to foster interoperable, cost-effective satellite networks poised to expand mobile connectivity worldwide while respecting national regulatory frameworks.