Viasat and ESA Partnering on Possible D2D Service

The European Space Agency and Viasat are exploring a joint direct-to-device (D2D) service, ESA said Tuesday. Under the partnership agreement, Viasat would develop "a partner-funded satellite constellation" to provide smartphone and IoT connectivity, it said. Viasat is "fully committed to the development of D2D space capabilities" that combine existing geostationary assets and a new low earth orbit satellite constellation "that meets the needs of users in Europe and across the world," CEO Mark Dankberg said. "We will be deploying our expertise alongside a host of European partner companies in this important work."