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Space42, PT Telkom Satelit Indonesia explore partnership to extend 5G D2D services
Space42, PT Telkom Satelit Indonesia explore partnership to extend 5G D2D services
About this update from Space42 Plc
Staff WriterSpace42, the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company with a global reach, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT Telkom Satelit Indonesia (Telkomsat), Indonesia’s national satellite operator and a key enabler of the country’s digital and connectivity ecosystem, to explore collaboration in Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity.The partnership leverages Equatys, a D2D venture between Space42 and Viasat NASDAQ:VSAT designed to enable seamless 5G connectivity across satellite and terrestrial networks. This collaboration supports both companies’ ambitions to expand D2D connectivity beyond traditional infrastructure and create a seamlessly converged communications experience.Announced in September 2025, Equatys aims to bridge connectivity gaps through a 3GPP Release 17+ Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) framework. Supporting more than 100 MHz of harmonised global Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum, it will enable standard smartphones and IoT devices to connect directly to satellites, extending seamless 5G access across more than 180 markets worldwide.Under this MoU, Telkomsat and Space42 intend to explore potential areas of collaboration related to NTN and D2D connectivity. The scope includes:• Exploration on Technical Integration: Assess the feasibility of technical, commercial, and regulatory cooperation related to D2D and satellite-enabled communication services. This may include preliminary alignment of network infrastructure to ensure seamless handover between terrestrial and satellite systems without additional hardware, set service benchmarks for latency, bandwidth, and reliability, and jointly develop new 5G NTN capabilities.• Regulatory and Security Cooperation: Ensure compliance with relevant local legislation, coordinate licensing and spectrum allocation, and maintain data privacy to meet regional and international standards.• Research and Development: Joint innovation labs and pilot programs will test new technologies, advance service capabilities, conduct field trials, and assess interoperability with existing 4G and 5G networks.• Strategic Initiatives and Future Growth: Joint product road map and infrastructure investment programs within Telkomsat’s expansive footprint as Equatys scales globally.Equatys will enable Telkomsat to offer enhanced user experiences within a unique value proposition, supporting its leading mark...