Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity is seen by many as a game-changer for global communications. But can it truly reach its full potential, and what key factors will shape its future?
Join us on 1st July at the Hotel nHow Bloom in Brussels for a one-day policy forum dedicated to exploring these critical questions. Sessions will bring together key stakeholders to examine the regulatory landscape, technological advancements, emerging business models, and the challenges that lie ahead. How can industry and governments collaborate to unlock the full promise of D2D connectivity?
Registration is now open, so don’t miss the opportunity to join us in Brussels and be part of these crucial conversations.
This event will take place back to back to the European Space Forum.
Taking place in Brussels on 2-3 July 2025 the European Space Forum is now in its 5th edition, and established as one of the key meeting points for the European space community. Find out more at euspaceforum.com.
Forum Global specialises in the organisation of policy-focused conferences on a global level.
Developed in partnership with businesses, institutions, regulators and governments throughout the world, our events provide a platform for stakeholders to engage in topical discussions, strengthen networks and establish new connections.
Since Forum Global’s inception in 2012, we have delivered over one hundred major international conferences across North America, South America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
We are tech policy specialists. We have launched international event initiatives focused on the Internet of Things and 5G, and are the creators of the world’s largest series of global conferences on wireless spectrum management issues – the Global Spectrum Series.
Access Partnership is the world’s preeminent tech advisory firm. We’ve been helping leading companies navigate complex regulatory challenges and expand their products and services to new markets since 1999. During this time, we’ve also worked closely with governments to offer advice on creating policies and regulations as the landscape continues to change with new and emerging technologies.
Through two decades of experience, Access Partnership has developed effective and proprietary processes that ensure our clients’ goals are achieved every time. With our expertise and experience, we’re able to anticipate future regulations and manage policy trends on a global scale.
Their mission is to ensure that everyone has access to transformative technologies while promoting fair competition and consumer choice.
Analysys Mason is the world’s leading management consultancy focused on telecoms, media and technology (TMT). They give clarity and confidence in answering our clients’ biggest commercial questions: What strategy will best enhance value? What implementation plan will be most successful? What is the optimal positioning for five years’ time?
Analysys Mason bring together commercial and technical expertise across four interconnected consultancy practices strengthened by globally respected research.
The mission at AST SpaceMobile is to develop the foundation for an increasingly interconnected society. Collaborating with cellular providers in the U.S. and around the world will facilitate our goal to improve internet access globally. They employ patented technology to provide seamless connections from almost anywhere.
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai and the Mobile 360 Series conferences.
GSOA is a non-profit organisation established with the objective of serving and promoting the common interests of satellite operators from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the CIS.
The Association today represents the interests of 21 satellite operators who deliver information and communication services across the globe. Together, ESOA members provide invaluable communications services to the whole world, including emergency communications, live broadcasting, maritime and aero communications, secure services for governments, 24-7 monitoring of industrial processes such as energy plants, and a whole range of other communications capabilities that society has come to rely on.
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) operates the world’s first Globalized Network, delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services anywhere in the world. Intelsat’s Globalized Network combines the world’s largest satellite backbone with terrestrial infrastructure, managed services and an open, interoperable architecture to enable customers to drive revenue and reach through a new generation of network services. Thousands of organizations serving billions of people worldwide rely on Intelsat to provide ubiquitous broadband connectivity, multi-format video broadcasting, secure satellite communications and seamless mobility services. The end result is an entirely new world, one that allows us to envision the impossible, connect without boundaries and transform the ways in which we live. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.
At NewSky.plus, they thrive in the realms of satellites, SatComs, and commercial space. This is their comfort zone, where we innovate and lead. They take on projects of critical importance for both private companies and public sector entities, ensuring regulatory affairs and policy affairs are managed strategically.
NewSky.plus expertly guide you through compliance and go-to-market strategies, crafting and advocating for effective regulations outside the US. Their deep expertise ensures that commercial goals and senior government relations in the Global South are met with precision.
Their vision and challenges are our input. Achieving your objectives is their priority output. They do this by focusing on strategic thinking, risk management and creative implementation. They provide ideas you can trust.
NewSky.plus’s philosophy is simple: passion, service, effectiveness, and know-how. They never compromise on quality and tailor unique strategies for each client.
Omnispace is uniting the simplicity of mobile roaming with the scope of satellite to create the world’s first truly global 5G network.
Omnispace are reinventing communications to deliver greater reach, improved reliability, and enhanced quality of service for billions of users and devices worldwide. By integrating terrestrial and satellite networks into one seamless connected experience, they are empowering consumer, enterprise, government and IoT users worldwide.
Vodafone is a leading telecommunications company in Europe and Africa, led by its purpose to connect for a better future.
Vodafone develops a range of leading products and services to connect their customers and help build the digital societies of the future.
Policy Impact Partners (PIP) is a global consultancy platform supporting the future of digital connectivity.
PIP bring together senior experts to develop, promote, and impact policy and regulations that enable innovative technologies to positively transform economies and societies.
Mr. Mario Maniewicz was elected Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He took office on 1 January 2019.
Mario Maniewicz is an electronic engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with the ITU for over 30 years, where he has served in high-level management positions in the Radiocommunication and Development Sectors as well as in ITU Regional Offices.
As Director, Mr. Maniewicz is responsible for the management of the Radiocommunication Bureau, which organizes and co-ordinates the work of the Radiocommunication Sector whose aim is to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient, and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.
Before joining the ITU, Mr. Maniewicz occupied a managerial position in Uruguay’s main telecommunications operator and was Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering of Uruguay’s main University.
Mr. Maniewicz is married and has two children. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.
Director, Radiocommunication Bureau
Director, BR
ITU
Gerasimos Sofianatos is the Head of Unit for Spectrum Policy at the European Commission. He has been a Commission official since 2011 and worked in different roles related to policy and implementation of the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications.
Gerasimos led the team monitoring and implementing EU law and the European Electronic Communications Code. Before joining the Commission, Gerasimos worked as a legal officer at the Cypriot National Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications (OCECPR). He is a Member of the Athens Bar Association, where he practiced competition law after completing his master’s in business law and a Ph.D. in competition law at the Paris 1- Sorbonne University.
He also holds a law degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a post-graduate degree in Economics for Competition law from the King’s College London.
Head of Unit for Spectrum Policy
European Commission
After a state exam in law at the University of Osnabrück, Mr Kühn has been working since 1998 in the area of legal internship (e.g. at Regional Court) of the Federal Network Agency Germany; changing to National and International Spectrum Regulation on different levels in 2005. Nowadays, he is the Deputy Head of Section for International Affairs and Utilization Concepts. His responsibilities cover strategic frequency utilization concepts and the transposition of those to the international level of CEPT, EU and ITU. Doing this and having been active in the preparation of three WRC’s, on national and on CEPT CPG level, Mr Kühn participated in a number of international Groups, also as Head of the German Delegation. He has also chaired several groups and subgroups in the ITU and CEPT. Since 2005, he has been responsible for the German preparation of the WRC’s and served as CEPT CPG Vice Chairman from 2010 to 2013. Mr Kühn was appointed Chairman of CPG in June 2013.
Head of Section, International & National Spectrum Management
BNetzA
As Vice President of International Regulatory and Spectrum Policy for the company that is redefining mobile communications, Molly Gavin directs Omnispace’s spectrum policy and its relationship with global government and regulatory agencies initiatives.
In this role, Molly interfaces regularly with international and regional organizations to coordinate efforts in support of 3GPP-based 5G non-terrestrial networks globally. Molly also oversees Omnispace’s outreach to ministries, policy makers, independent regulators and industry associations on radio spectrum matters and regulations for mobile satellite services (MSS), including direct-to-device (D2D) communications and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity.
Most recently serving as Vice President of International Government Affairs at Qualcomm, Molly oversaw a wide range of policy topics globally, including spectrum, sustainability, competition, intellectual property rights, and privacy public policy. Following the World Telecommunication Development Conference in Istanbul in 2002, she became one of the youngest Rapporteurs. Prior to that, she managed Qualcomm’s government affairs program based in Hong Kong, overseeing 16 Asian economies and managing Qualcomm’s participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Molly has her master’s degree in International Relations from the University of California San Diego and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame. She is fluent in Spanish and conversational in Portuguese.
Vice President, International Regulatory and Spectrum Policy
Omnispace
As Spectrum Policy Director, Carol works with GSMA programmes, members, and internal groups to develop global industry positions on spectrum policy, allocation, licensing, and on the impact of emerging technologies.
Prior to joining the GSMA, Carol served as Technical Advisor for International Affairs at the National Spectrum Agency of Colombia (ANE) and held the vice-chair of the Preparatory Working Group for the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC) and chair of the Spectrum Management group at CITEL. Also, she worked with the mobile industry as Wireless Product Manager and was a university lecturer.
Carol is specialized in Negotiation from Universidad de los Andes in Colombia, holds a Master in Navigation and Related Applications from the Politecnico di Torino in Italy. She has a Bachelor of Engineering in Telecommunications from the Universidad Santo Tomás of Bogotá with an exchange program at the Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain, as well.
Spectrum Policy Director
GSMA
Note: All timings are in Central European Summer Time (CEST).
The full conference agenda will be available soon, offering an in-depth overview of all sessions, speakers, and activities. Stay tuned for exciting updates!
All times listed are in local Brussels time (CET).
The rise in interest of D2D connectivity has brought with it a transformative period of innovation and strategic realignment involving a number of key stakeholders. As the boundaries between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks become increasingly blurred, distinct deployment models are emerging, each presenting unique opportunities and challenges. Two primary approaches are being seen, leveraging mobile (IMT) and satellite (MSS) spectrum frequency bands respectively to deliver connectivity. This session will examine the pros and cons of these 2 approaches and the broader implications that they may have on global markets, business strategies, and the shifting roles of satellite operators and MNOs. It will explore whether the future lies in a unified approach or in the coexistence of multiple models designed to meet diverse demands, as well as how evolving competitive and collaborative dynamics among key players may influence the direction of this rapidly evolving ecosystem.
Regulating direct-to-device (D2D) services across Europe remains in its infancy. While individual member states are beginning to explore regulatory approaches tailored to their unique circumstances, efforts are also underway at the European level to prevent fragmentation and establish a coordinated framework. As part of this, the European Commission have asked the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) to prepare an opinion on developing an EU-level policy approach to D2D, focusing on aspects such as national authorizations, current and anticipated use of potential frequency bands, technical considerations, and the necessity for regulatory coordination and harmonization across the EU. The final opinion is expected to be released in the weeks leading up to this event, and against this backdrop, this session will look both at this and also the work that is taking place more broadly across Europe to develop a cohesive European policy framework that supports innovation and equitable access in the D2D sector. What are the steps that need to be taken in order to deliver this and are we on the right path?
Policymakers around the world are working to update regulatory frameworks and keep pace with the rapidly evolving D2D market. This session will explore the countries and regions at the forefront of these efforts, highlighting emerging trends, as well as the similarities and differences that are emerging in regional approaches. It will delve into balancing the need for international collaboration with the importance of addressing specific regional priorities, market conditions, and dynamics; exploring how stakeholders can work together to create a cohesive policy environment that fosters innovation, competition and sustainability. With WRC-27 on the horizon, discussions will also consider its critical role in shaping the D2D future by addressing key issues like spectrum allocation and coexistence between networks and services. What path is being taken by international, regional and national policymakers to navigate the regulatory complexities posed by D2D in order to maximise its potential and deliver a connected future for the benefit of all?
As D2D connectivity continues to gain traction, an increasing number of potential new use cases and scenarios are being proposed. A key factor in the success of these use cases and of the D2D sector as a whole will be delivering the financial sustainability of these services, ensuring affordability for end users while maintaining profitability. This panel will explore the potential evolution of D2D services and technologies, examining their integration within the current connectivity ecosystem and how this may evolve as we move beyond 5G and into the 6G era. It will examine the key use cases and applications that could shape the trajectory of D2D, and examine the monetisation strategies that could enable these. Discussions will also look at the economic and societal benefits that could be brought to rural, remote, and disaster-prone areas around the world (eg, through connecting the unconnected, disaster response, environmental monitoring), and ask the question how financial constraints can be tackled to deliver services at an affordable level given that these are often some of the poorest communities on Earth.
As Device-to-Device (D2D) communication continues to evolve, there is a growing consensus that alignment with 3GPP standards is essential for scaling up systems and services. Standardization helps reduce industrialization costs—including those of space-compatible chipsets—while providing manufacturers with a long-term perspective and encouraging investment. This session will look at the work that is done both within Europe and globally to ensure that D2D solutions are rolled out in a way that is incremental to allow for flexibility around future development roadmaps, but at the same time be built with scalability in mind from the outset. It will explore how D2D fits within the 3GPP framework, how the diverse needs of different vertical use cases are being considered as part of this the early design phase, and more broadly at how standards within the D2D ecosystem are starting to emerge.
The rise in interest of D2D connectivity has brought with it a transformative period of innovation and strategic realignment involving a number of key stakeholders. As the boundaries between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks become increasingly blurred, distinct deployment models are emerging, each presenting unique opportunities and challenges. Two primary approaches are being seen, leveraging mobile (IMT) and satellite (MSS) spectrum frequency bands respectively to deliver connectivity. This session will examine the pros and cons of these 2 approaches and the broader implications that they may have on global markets, business strategies, and the shifting roles of satellite operators and MNOs. It will explore whether the future lies in a unified approach or in the coexistence of multiple models designed to meet diverse demands, as well as how evolving competitive and collaborative dynamics among key players may influence the direction of this rapidly evolving ecosystem.
Regulating direct-to-device (D2D) services across Europe remains in its infancy. While individual member states are beginning to explore regulatory approaches tailored to their unique circumstances, efforts are also underway at the European level to prevent fragmentation and establish a coordinated framework. As part of this, the European Commission have asked the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) to prepare an opinion on developing an EU-level policy approach to D2D, focusing on aspects such as national authorizations, current and anticipated use of potential frequency bands, technical considerations, and the necessity for regulatory coordination and harmonization across the EU. The final opinion is expected to be released in the weeks leading up to this event, and against this backdrop, this session will look both at this and also the work that is taking place more broadly across Europe to develop a cohesive European policy framework that supports innovation and equitable access in the D2D sector. What are the steps that need to be taken in order to deliver this and are we on the right path?
Policymakers around the world are working to update regulatory frameworks and keep pace with the rapidly evolving D2D market. This session will explore the countries and regions at the forefront of these efforts, highlighting emerging trends, as well as the similarities and differences that are emerging in regional approaches. It will delve into balancing the need for international collaboration with the importance of addressing specific regional priorities, market conditions, and dynamics; exploring how stakeholders can work together to create a cohesive policy environment that fosters innovation, competition and sustainability. With WRC-27 on the horizon, discussions will also consider its critical role in shaping the D2D future by addressing key issues like spectrum allocation and coexistence between networks and services. What path is being taken by international, regional and national policymakers to navigate the regulatory complexities posed by D2D in order to maximise its potential and deliver a connected future for the benefit of all?
As D2D connectivity continues to gain traction, an increasing number of potential new use cases and scenarios are being proposed. A key factor in the success of these use cases and of the D2D sector as a whole will be delivering the financial sustainability of these services, ensuring affordability for end users while maintaining profitability. This panel will explore the potential evolution of D2D services and technologies, examining their integration within the current connectivity ecosystem and how this may evolve as we move beyond 5G and into the 6G era. It will examine the key use cases and applications that could shape the trajectory of D2D, and examine the monetisation strategies that could enable these. Discussions will also look at the economic and societal benefits that could be brought to rural, remote, and disaster-prone areas around the world (eg, through connecting the unconnected, disaster response, environmental monitoring), and ask the question how financial constraints can be tackled to deliver services at an affordable level given that these are often some of the poorest communities on Earth.
As Device-to-Device (D2D) communication continues to evolve, there is a growing consensus that alignment with 3GPP standards is essential for scaling up systems and services. Standardization helps reduce industrialization costs—including those of space-compatible chipsets—while providing manufacturers with a long-term perspective and encouraging investment. This session will look at the work that is done both within Europe and globally to ensure that D2D solutions are rolled out in a way that is incremental to allow for flexibility around future development roadmaps, but at the same time be built with scalability in mind from the outset. It will explore how D2D fits within the 3GPP framework, how the diverse needs of different vertical use cases are being considered as part of this the early design phase, and more broadly at how standards within the D2D ecosystem are starting to emerge.
We have various speaking, sponsor, and wider visibility opportunities available at the event. Should you be interested in becoming involved at the D2D Policy Forum please contact Dan Craft on dan.craft@forum-global.com.
Exclusive speaking positions | Your organisation can contribute to the discussion.
Engaging and interactive format | Engage in a fully immersive and interactive debate with decision makers, businesses and policymakers.
EU and Global Outreach | Convey your message to a broad and international audience.
Networking opportunities | Networking opportunities will be available to all in person attendees throughout the day.
Visibility opportunities | Ensure maximum visibility through branding in the room, on the event website and marketing activities.
Exhibition and demos area | Showcase your products and solutions or share a position paper with the audience at onsite exhibition booths.
Please kindly note that this is a fully in-person event, taking place at the Hotel nhow Brussels Bloom. There will be no virtual element to this event.
Standard
Applies to: Corporate, Trade Association, Law Firm/Public Affairs Firm
€85
€95
Reduced
Applies to: NGO/Not for Profit
€45
€55
Academic / Student
Applies to: Academic / Student
€20
€20
Free
Applies to: National Government / Regulator & Diplomatic Mission to the EU, European Commission / Parliament / Council, EU Permanent Representatives, National Space Agencies/ESA, Accredited Journalists
FREE
FREE
The early bird rate will end on 23 May 2025. Also, please note that fees do not include Belgian VAT @ 21%, and this amount will be added to the total price when you are invoiced.
Hotel nhow Brussels Bloom
Rue Royale 250, 1210 Bruxelles, Belgium
If you and your team need a hotel bedroom for the duration of the event, we negotiated a special rate for accommodation at the Hotel nhow Brussels Bloom. Please click here to book your room.
For more information on any aspect of this event, please contact Kate Lymer using any of the details below.
Kate Lymer
Senior Event Manager
Forum Global
d2d@forum-global.com
+44 (0) 2920 783 072
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