Terrestar Joins Viasat and Space42 in Canadian Satellite Network Deal

Canada's sovereign mobile-satellite company Terrestar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Space42 and Viasat to collaborate on satellite frameworks and infrastructure, according to a press announcement reported on October 29. The deal is aimed at building a standards-based, Canadian-controlled alternative to Starlink — and at making vehicle connectivity in remote regions more resilient.

What the MoU covers

The main portion of the agreement will see the three companies collaborate to develop a standards-based interoperability framework between their low-Earth-orbit constellations. The stated goals are to drive adoption, reduce operating and capital expenditures, and better coordinate beams, power, capacity, and ground gateway access.

The MoU also covers developing a shared infrastructure platform for direct-to-device services and other mobile-satellite services. Rather than a joint venture, the agreement lets the companies scale globally while retaining full ownership and control of their sovereign assets.

The Canadian angle

Terrestar's CaStar program is Canada's contribution to the emerging LEO satellite market. From the company's own announcement:

"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."

Equatys, the parent of both Space42 and Viasat, was co-founded and announced in September 2026. The partnership positions Canada's satellite network to compete at scale with Starlink in the coming years, with sovereignty and open standards as the differentiators.

Why EV drivers should care

Direct-to-device satellite connectivity is a live question for EV owners in rural and remote Canada. A Canadian-controlled, interoperable LEO network could:

• Provide backup connectivity for vehicle telematics and charging-network APIs in areas with weak terrestrial coverage
• Reduce dependence on a single foreign-controlled satellite provider for critical vehicle data
• Support the growth of remote DCFC charging stations by ensuring reliable communication between chargers and their operators

Terrestar, Viasat, and Space42 did not announce a specific timeline for direct-to-device EV services in the MoU, but the shared infrastructure platform is explicitly designed for mobile-satellite services — a category that includes vehicle connectivity.

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