e& and Space42 Aim for Seamless Satellite-to-Mobile Connectivity with Equatys Partnership

At GITEX Global 2025, tech enthusiasts had more than the latest gadgets to talk about. The UAE’s telecom giant e& (formerly Etisalat) has teamed up with Space42, the Abu Dhabi-based AI-driven space technology group, to explore how 5G satellites might soon talk directly to your mobile — no towers, no fuss. The two signed a Memorandum of Understanding to test the waters with Equatys, a new direct-to-device (D2D) project between Space42 and U.S.-based Viasat that promises to blend satellite and terrestrial 5G networks. Quite the bold move, really, especially as e& becomes the first mobile operator to jump onboard this new venture.

Now, Equatys isn’t just a fancy name. Announced only a few months ago, it’s based on a 3GPP standard for Non-Terrestrial Networks — essentially, a way for ordinary phones and IoT gadgets to ping satellites as easily as they connect to a local tower. The goal? To pull people and businesses into the 5.5G era across more than 180 countries, even in places where a telephone mast would be a bit of a faff to build.

Ali Al Hashemi, who heads Space Services at Space42, called it “a step toward universal connectivity,” noting that Equatys could let space and land-based networks operate as a single ecosystem. In plain English, it’s the kind of infrastructure that could keep you online even halfway up Jebel Jais or out in the Rub' al Khali. And believe it or not, this model might work a bit like the shared towers telcos already use — only this time, in orbit.

From e&’s side, CEO Masood M. Sharif Mahmood said the tie-up fits perfectly with their next-gen mobile strategy. He pointed out that the company’s engineering teams have been looking at seamless handovers between 5G antennas and satellites using ordinary smartphones — no special hardware required. I reckon that’s a huge deal for businesses operating offshore, in deserts, or across rugged mountain terrain.

Under this MoU, both companies will explore joint technical trials, commercial use cases, and, crucially, how to navigate global regulations. The idea is to move from concept to commercial rollout while keeping costs sensible — a challenge that’s tripped up plenty of space telecom projects before. On the flip side, Space42’s multi-tenant “space tower” model might just cut enough fat to make it financially viable.

For those who haven’t followed Space42’s rise, it’s a merging of Yahsat and Bayanat, backed by heavyweights like G42, IHC, and Mubadala. It blends AI with satellite communications and geospatial analytics — an impressive mix that’s helped the UAE carve out its reputation as a small but mighty space player.

e&, meanwhile, is no stranger to ambition. Once best known for mobile plans across the Emirates, the group has diversified into AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and even digital finance. After nearly five decades in the game, its aim is still the same — keeping the region connected and pushing tech boundaries while doing so sustainably.

For us at Arageek, following partnerships like this always feels a bit personal. After all, we’ve watched countless MENA startups hustle to bridge digital gaps, though not many can claim they’re literally building bridges between Earth and space. The sheer scope is spot on for what the region’s innovation scene stands for — bold, future-focused, a touch audacious.

It’s early days, of course, and the paperwork doesn’t guarantee satellites will start chatting to our phones anytime soon. But the intent is clear: to make connectivity truly borderless. And if Space42 and e& manage to pull it off, well… the future of mobile may be looking up — quite literally.

(And yes, I’m definately keeping my eyes peeled for the first live demo.)

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