The European Space Forum 2022 examined the innovative programmes, initiatives and policies being put forward. Across two days, 60 speakers, 280 in-person delegates and over 400 speakers gathered to discuss the most pertinent topics across the EU space landscape.
The main topics of the event included:
Josef Aschbacher
Evi PapantoniouMrs Evi Papantoniou is Director for Space (acting) in the European Commission – Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS), responsible for EU Space Policy and EU space flagships, Copernicus and Galileo /EGNOS. She is responsible in particular for actions supporting the EU aerospace ecosystem, as well as for relations with the European Space Agency and the EU Space Programme Agency.
Until December 2019, she was the Head of Unit in the Directorate-General for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) – responsible for legal and inter-institutional aspects of Galileo/EGNOS, the EU satellite navigation programme. Previously, she contributed in setting-up the EU Defence Fund and dealt with EU response on countering hybrid threats.
She also worked in European Commission Task Force for Greece, assisting the Greek Government in the EU bailout Programme implementing structural reforms in the area of business environment and justice reform.
As competition lawyer by training, she worked for several years in DG Competition, on competition enforcement in anti-trust, but also state aid control.
Before joining the European Commission, she worked in the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg and as a competition lawyer in Paris.
She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in EU law from the College of Europe in Bruges.
Rodrigo da CostaOn 16 October 2020, Rodrigo da Costa took up his duties as Executive Director of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), formerly the European GNSS Agency (GSA). Prior to this, he was the Galileo Services Programme Manager from March 2017.
Before joining the GSA, Rodrigo da Costa held several senior project management, business development, and institutional key account management positions in the space industry, in the areas of human space flight, exploration, launchers and R&D.
Rodrigo da Costa holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the “Instituto Superior Tecnico” in Lisbon, a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Delft, and an MBA from the EuroMBA consortium of Business Schools.”
Rajeev Suri Rajeev was appointed as Inmarsat’s Chief Executive Officer in March 2021 and as Chair of the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) in March 2022.
He joined Inmarsat from Nokia, where he was most recently President and Chief Executive Officer. From 2009 to 2014 Rajeev was Chief Executive Officer of Nokia Solutions and Networks. During his tenure as CEO, he transformed Nokia into a top two telecommunications infrastructure company, led the consolidation of the sector from ten to three major players, positioned Nokia as a leader in a world connected by 5G and shaped by increasing digitalisation and automation. Under his leadership, Nokia acquired the networks businesses of Siemens, Motorola, Alcatel-Lucent, including the famed Bell Labs, successfully expanded into enterprise vertical markets, created the world’s leading standalone telecom software business, significantly grew the annual recurring revenue patent licensing business and engineered the return of the Nokia brand to mobile phones.
Rajeev has lived and worked in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. In March 2021, he was reappointed as a Commissioner of the United Nations Broadband Commission. He was Co-Chair of the digitalisation task force for the B20 and member of various digital and healthcare committees at the World Economic Forum. Rajeev was a member of the Chinese Premier’s Global CEO Council from 2014 to 2020, a recipient of China’s Marco Polo award; the highest honour awarded to an international business person from the Chinese government. Rajeev is an engineering graduate in Electronics and Communications and has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Manipal University.
André-Hubert RousselBio will be updated soon.
Marc SerresMarc Serres is the Chief Executive Officer of the Luxembourg Space Agency. He heads the Luxembourg Delegation at the European Space Agency (ESA) and represents Luxembourg in the Council of ESA. He is Member of the International Academy of Astronautics.
He has been Director of Space Affairs at the Ministry of the Economy of Luxembourg since January 2014. Before joining the Ministry of the Economy, Marc Serres managed Luxembourg’s relations with ESA at the Ministry of Higher Education and Research as an industrial policy officer for 8 years. Prior to becoming a civil servant, he spent 5 years in the satellite communications antenna manufacturing industry within the company HITEC Luxembourg S.A., first as a Project Engineer and finally as Chief Engineer for satcom products development.
Marc Serres holds a PhD in optoelectronics and a Master in electrical engineering with specialty in microwave frequencies, both from the Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium.
The inaugural edition of the European Space Forum in 2021 was held virtually, and brought together more than 700 key stakeholders and thought leaders from across the space and satellite sectors. Across 2 full days of interactive discussion and debate, the following main topics were discussed:
Thierry BretonThierry Breton is the EU Commissioner for Internal Market, in charge of industry, digital, space, defence, audiovisual and tourism. Engineer in computer science, he began his career as an entrepreneur in the IT sector. A French business leader, he was CEO of Thomson electronics (1997-2002), France Telecom (2002-2005) and Atos (2009-2019). French Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industry (2005-2007), he was a teacher at Harvard (2007) and authored a number of technology thrillers published in more than 40 languages.
Josef AschbacherJosef Aschbacher, of Austrian nationality, is a geophysicist by education. He joined ESA in 1990. Throughout his career he held various positions in different locations. He also worked for the European Union. In 2016 he became ESA’s Director of Earth Observation, and in 2021 he took office as ESA’s Director General.
Rodrigo da CostaOn 16 October 2020, Rodrigo da Costa took up his duties as Executive Director of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), formerly the European GNSS Agency (GSA). Prior to this, he was the Galileo Services Programme Manager from March 2017.
Before joining the GSA, Rodrigo da Costa held several senior project management, business development, and institutional key account management positions in the space industry, in the areas of human space flight, exploration, launchers and R&D.
Rodrigo da Costa holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the “Instituto Superior Tecnico” in Lisbon, a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Delft, and an MBA from the EuroMBA consortium of Business Schools.”
Matthias PetschkeBio to be updated soon.
André-Hubert RousselBio will be updated soon.
Stephen SpenglerStephen Spengler is a 36-year telecommunications and satellite industry veteran with experience in the media, broadband, government, and internet sectors. Mr. Spengler is chief executive officer of Intelsat, the world’s largest satellite services provider. He is current the chairman of the EMEA Satellite Operators Association, where he convenes a Board of other satellite operator Chief Executives around critical issues affecting the industry.
Mr. Spengler’s key accomplishments at Intelsat include the development of Intelsat’s next generation of managed service solutions for an array of network applications; a $2B investment in the groundbreaking Intelsat Epic high-throughput satellite network and a series of strategic equity investments to catalyze satellite innovations. He is currently leading Intelsat’s initiative to establish the industry’s first software defined satellite/terrestrial network based on the 5G standard, designed to provided unprecedented network speeds, economics and coverage.
Mr. Spengler is a member of the United Nations Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development and serves on the corporate boards of Intelsat SA and Kymeta Corporation. He has testified before the U. S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation regarding the future of the commercial satellite industry.
Mr. Spengler joined Intelsat in 2003, and has served in executive roles of increasing responsibility, including sales, marketing, strategy, and business development. These responsibilities leveraged Mr. Spengler’s global orientation and thought leadership. He has generated new business and forged strategic relationships across the world in developed and developing markets and has expertise in meeting the challenges and opportunities that exist in international markets and emerging technologies. Prior to assuming his current role in 2015, he was the president and chief commercial officer of Intelsat. He held senior management positions at Viasat Satellite Networks, Scientific-Atlanta Europe, GTE Spacenet International, and GTE Corporation before joining Intelsat. Mr. Spengler earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dickinson College and a Master of Business Administration from Boston University.
Intelsat owns and operates a fully integrated network of over fifty commercial communications satellites that deliver broadband connectivity to businesses and communities in over 200 countries. It provides diversified communications services to the world’s leading media companies, fixed and wireless telecommunications operators, data networking service providers for enterprise and mobile applications, multinational corporations and ISPs. Intelsat is the leading provider of commercial satellite capacity to the U.S. government and other governments.
Sorin DucaruAmbassador Sorin Dumitru Ducaru is the Director of the European Union Satellite Centre (SatCen) since June 2019. He has previously held the position of NATO Assistant Secretary General and Head of the NATO Emerging Security Challenges Division, as well as the positions of Romania’s ambassador to NATO, USA and to the UN in New York. He also assumed various positions in the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) such as: spokesperson of the MFA, director of the Minister’s Office and head of the Directorate for NATO and Strategic Issues.
Ambassador Ducaru’s professional background reflects a quite rare blend of technical and political studies. He is holding degrees in Applied Electronics & Computer Studies (BS, Bucharest Polytechnic University), Political Science & International Relations (M.Phil, University of Amsterdam) and International Economic Relations and Institutional Management (Ph.D, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest). He has been intensely engaged intellectually and professionally bridging the technology-policy gap and the impact of technology upon security.
Ambassador Ducaru has been also engaged in academic and scientific activity, as associate or guest lecturer at the National University for Political Studies (Bucharest, Romania), NATO Defence College (Rome, Italy), Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (Cambridge, USA), Leiden University (Netherlands).
He is the Honorary Chairman of the Scientific Board of the New Strategy Center (Bucharest), European Council of Foreign Relations Member, Advisory Board Member of Digital Society Institute (Berlin), the NATO Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (Tallin), Special Advisor to the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace (The Hague) and former Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute (Washington DC).
In 2002, Ambassador Ducaru was awarded the title of “Ambassador of the Year” by the Romanian MFA and, in 2008, the rank of Knight of the National Order “The Star of Romania” by the president of Romania. He is married and has two teenage children.
If you are interested in speaking, sponsorship and visibility opportunities, please contact Karolina Stankiewicz at space@forum-europe.com / +44 (0) 2920 780 070.
Note: All timings are in Central European Time (CET).
Dr Kamila Kloc joined the European Commission in December 2004.
As of July 2023 Kamila was nominated as the Director of Directorate B Digital Decade and Connectivity of Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) after acting in this position from February 2023. She held a position of the Head of Markets’ Unit in the same Directorate from 2019.
Previously she served as Deputy Head of Cabinet for Vice President Ansip responsible for Digital Single Market. Prior to joining the Cabinet, she worked at Directorate General for Energy coordinating exemptions from regulatory access rules for gas pipelines. During the Polish Presidency in 2011, she was seconded by the Commission to the President’s office of the Polish Energy Regulatory Authority.
Earlier, she worked for 5 years at the Directorate General for Competition dealing with merger and antitrust cases.
Prior to joining the Commission, she was employed at the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection in Poland as Adviser to the President. Kamila Kloc started her professional career in academia and taught at the Warsaw School of Economics as Assistant Professor. She has written her PhD on the role of competition policy in the public utilities sector with a special emphasis on telecommunications. She was a Fulbright scholar at the University of California in Berkeley and a Chevening fellow at Oxford University.
Xavier Lobao holds a Master in Telecommunication Engineering by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) a Master in Business Administration (MBA) by the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) and is a graduate from the International Space University (ISU) Summer Session Programme.
He has 35+ years of experience in the space sector, primarily in satellite telecommunications. Since 2000 he is working in the European Space Agency (ESA), where he is Head of the Future Telecom Programmes Division in the Connectivity and Secure Communication Directorate. Current focus areas are the integration of satellite in telecommunication networks (TN/NTN integration), D2D (Direct-to-Device) communications, the role of satellite in 5G/6G, in spectrum sustainability, in the future quantum information networks, communications on the Moon, cislunar orbit and beyond towards the Internet of the Solar System.
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.
Amit specialises in advising on complex wireless transactions and strategy projects, including supporting mobile operators with spectrum valuation and regulators with the development and implementation of spectrum policy.
Amit has over 25 years of experience advising fixed and mobile operators, regulators/government bodies, financial institutions and equipment manufacturers on commercial, technical and regulatory issues. He has supported several multi-billion dollar M&A and debt financing transactions and has led numerous high-profile studies in the area of radio spectrum policy. Amit brings a global perspective to his work, having undertaken projects for clients in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
Amit holds an M.Sc. in Radio Frequency and Communications Engineering from the University of Bradford, UK and an M.B.A. from the University of Warwick, UK.
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.
More information will be available shortly.
Hazem Moakkit is a veteran of the satellite industry where he has worked for over 22 years in various capacities. He currently serves as the Vice President of Spectrum Development at O3b Networks where he leads the creation and implementation of O3b’s global spectrum strategy.
Prior to O3b, Hazem spent 5 years at Yahsat in the United Arab Emirates as the Director or Regulatory & Spectrum Affairs where he created and managed the spectrum strategy, and was a key member of the corporate strategy team. Mr. Moakkit led the acquisition of vital orbital assets for the start-up operator and worked closely with regulators to obtain the required licenses. He was also instrumental in formulating the expansion strategy for Yahsat in Africa and South America.
Prior to joining Yahsat, Mr. Moakkit worked in various roles at Intelsat (previously PanAmSat) where he rose through the ranks to become a key member of the spectrum & regulatory group in Washington. There, Mr. Moakkit was responsible for frequency coordination activities for the Intelsat fleet of over 50 satellites spanning multiple administrations. During his tenure, he also worked in various system and sales engineering roles.
Early on in his career, Mr. Moakkit was a system integrator at ATCI, a nascent yet ambitious satellite system integrator based in Mesa, Arizona. While at ATCI he gained valuable hands-on experience designing, building and operating RF systems for Fortune 500 clients.
Mr. Moakkit holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University, an MBA degree from Georgetown University.
Juan is Access Partnership’s Director of Government Affairs, Space and Connectivity Lead. Juan gains market access for new technologies worldwide, by helping companies to comply with regulations as well as obtain licenses and permits for their products and services.
Before joining Access Partnership, Juan worked for more than 10 years in the Legislature of the City of Buenos Aires and in the Argentine National Senate. He holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in Political Science and another in Law, and an MBA from the University of Cambridge. He works in English and Spanish.
Amy Mehlman currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Global Affairs Officer at Lynk, a position held since April 2025. Previously, Mehlman was the Vice President of Global Affairs and Stakeholder Relations at E-Space from January 2022 to April 2025, and served as President of Mehlman Capitol Strategies Inc. from October 2021 to April 2025. Additional experience includes a role as a Consultant for RKF Engineering Solutions LLC from December 2021 to December 2023, and Vice President of US Government Affairs and Policy at Viasat Inc. from January 2020 to October 2021. Mehlman’s earlier career includes consulting for LightSquared and serving as Partner at Capitol Coalitions, as well as working as a Government Liaison at Wiley, Rein and Fielding. Mehlman holds a BA in International Politics from Penn State University, earned between 1988 and 1992.
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?
Herman is a global public policy and government affairs leader who has been at the forefront of technology policy and advocacy work with innovators, governments and regulators for over twenty years. During this period, he has built highly effective public affairs teams, managed relations with ministries and regulators across EMEA and APAC, and directed government affairs for some of the biggest names in corporate tech.
Before founding Policy Impact Partners, Herman was responsible for spectrum and broadband advocacy at mobile industry association, the GSMA, where he led the global campaign to secure more spectrum for broadband services at the 2015 UN World Radiocommunication Conference. He also designed and coordinated multiple advocacy programmes across key markets in the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific to advance the release and licensing of the ‘digital dividend’ spectrum for mobile.
Herman has built a strong global network of senior level contacts both in government and across industry, and has a trusted reputation for effectively advocating policies that align business and societal goals. He is an accomplished speaker and moderator, and a regular contributor to capacity-building programmes for regulators and government representatives across the world.
Earlier in his career, Herman established and led the EU public affairs technology practice of the global communications consultancy in Brussels, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, directing accounts with Amazon, Adobe, Microsoft and the Business Software Alliance. He also held operations, strategy and policy positions at British Telecom, and worked for the Dutch Industry Federation.
Herman has an MSc in political science and international economics and an MBA.
Jonas Wessel is Director of the Spectrum Department at the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS).
He was also Chair of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) for the 2018-2019 period. The RSPG is a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy. Jonas holds a MSC from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Industrial Engineering and Management. Jonas started his professional career as a strategy consultant, working mainly with business development in the telecoms and IT-sector.
In 2003, he joined the PTS as advisor on radio spectrum policy issues. After several positions within the Agency, including responsibility for auctions, he was assigned Director of the Spectrum Department in 2014. Jonas has been one of the driving forces behind the transformation of spectrum management in Sweden and has also been working with these issues internationally, mainly through the RSPG where he has been a delegate since 2004. He was Vice Chairman of the RSPG for the 2016-2017 period.
Gerasimos Sofianatos is the newly appointed Head of Unit of Connect B5, Radio Spectrum Policy Unit. Previously, he was Deputy Head of DG Connect Unit Connect B5, “Investment in high-capacity networks”. He has been working for the Commission since 2011, in different positions in DG Connect, in Directorate B, dealing with the policy and implementation of the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications. Gerasimos led the team monitoring and implementing EU law and in particular the European Electronic Communications Code, a piece of legislation in the drafting and negotiation of which he was actively involved. Prior to joining the Commission, Gerasimos worked as legal officer at the Cypriot National Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications (OCECPR). Before joining the Commission, he was a Member of the Athens Bar Association and practiced competition law. He holds a Masters degree in Business Law and a PhD in competition law at the Paris 1- Sorbonne University. He 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. Gerasimos is of Greek nationality and speaks Greek, English, and French.
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.
Barbee has served as General Counsel and Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Globalstar since July 2010. In this role he has directed Globalstar’s regulatory and licensing activities around the world.
Barbee has led the international regulatory effort required for the commercial introduction of the world’s first satellite direct-to-device service, now providing mobile satellite connectivity to millions of people globally. This effort included the expansion and licensing of Globalstar’s ground network now consisting of 28 gateway Earth stations in 18 countries.
Most recently, Barbee worked to secure the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s reauthorization of Globalstar’s senior HIBLEO-4 constellation filing for an additional 15-year license term.
He holds a law degree from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in Management degree from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business in New Orleans, Louisiana
More information available shortly.
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?
More information available shortly.
Peng is the Vice President of Policy & Regulatory at GSOA, where he leads advocacy efforts around spectrum management, licencing, and national policy initiatives. With experience in telecoms, mobile, and satellites, he has advised governments and industry players globally.
Previously at Eutelsat OneWeb, Peng shaped licencing frameworks for Low Earth Orbit constellations and satellite regulatory procedures for WRC-23. At GSMA, he ran a global campaign to improve spectrum licensing conditions for mobile operators, leading a global team of policy expert to engage with policymakers across developing markets.
Peng holds a Master’s in Telecommunication from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and an Executive MBA from London Business School. He speaks English, Mandarin, and French fluently.
Eric Fournier is currently Director for Spectrum Planning and International Affairs in the Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR), the French public agency in charge of spectrum management (www.anfr.fr).
In this capacity, he is responsible for preparing the revisions of the French national table of spectrum allocation and for coordinating French positions in international meetings and conferences on spectrum within ITU, CEPT and EU. He was deputy head of the French delegation for RRC-06, WRC-07, WRC-12, WRC-15, WRC-19 and WRC-23.
He was chairman of the RSPG, a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy, for the cycle 2022-23.
He has been involved in all discussions on major evolutions of spectrum in Europe and was Chairman of the Electronic Communication Committee (CEPT/ECC) from 2013 to 2018 and of the European Conference Preparatory Group for the World Radiocommunications Conference 2012 (CPG-12).
Eric is a graduate telecom engineer from SUPELEC (France).
Richard has 30 years’ experience working in technology, strategy and policy roles in industry, regulation and government. In Ofcom, he is leading work to understand the radio spectrum requirements of next generation wireless technologies, such as 6G and direct to device satellite services. Richard has an MBA from the University of Bath and an engineering degree from the University of Cambridge.
H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the Council of the African Space Agency (AfSA) since 2024, is a distinguished expert in space policy and sciences. He holds a PhD in Remote Sensing/GIS (Sherbrooke University, Canada) and has held leadership roles at Canada’s Space Agency (International Relations), Natural Resources Canada (Senior Science/Policy Advisor), and Environment Canada (Geospatial Management). Formerly at the African Union Commission, he coordinated the African Outer Space Programme including GMES & Africa program. Bilingual professional with tremendous experience in space R&D, policy and international relations, he pioneered Africa’s space governance as AfSA’s inaugural Council President.
Ms. Kim Mota is an Advisor at the Superintendence of Granting and Telecommunications Resources, specializing in project management and regulatory frameworks associated with both terrestrial and satellite communication systems.
Holding a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering, she has extensive experience in spectrum and orbital resource regulation, having worked at Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) since 2015. Her role encompasses management of national spectrum and orbital resources, as well as actively representing Brazil in international forums focused on global spectrum management issues.
Ms. Mota contributed to updating the Brazilian regulatory framework for satellite system authorization and usage, playing a key role in developing and implementing the new General Regulation for Satellite Exploration. This regulatory update significantly advanced Brazil’s satellite market, aligning it with international best practices and standards.
Julie Kearney is a Co-Chair of the Space Exploration and Innovation Practice and a partner in the Telecom group at DLA Piper. She is a globally recognized and dynamic lawyer in the technology, satellite, space, and telecommunications field. For more than 25 years, Julie has worked with governments, industries, and the public sector around the world to promote legal and regulatory frameworks and policies that enable life-changing technologies.
As the first Chief of the Space Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Julie represented and spoke for the Chairwoman and Commissioners on satellite and space-based communication matters and represented the Commission at the domestic and international level. Under Julie’s leadership, the FCC unanimously adopted several regulatory frameworks and launched initiatives to successfully advance industry leadership in the New Space Age. Additionally, during her tenure as Chief, the FCC adopted a regulatory structure for Supplemental Coverage from Space, which made the FCC the first regulator in the world to issue a framework for connecting satellites directly to consumer handsets using spectrum previously allocated only to terrestrial service.
Before joining the FCC, Julie served as the Vice President of Communications Regulatory Affairs and Policy at Twilio Inc., a publicly traded Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) provider, where she developed and implemented the company’s global telecommunications regulatory and policy and law enforcement response strategy. She also served as the Global Head of Communications Regulation and Policy for Loon, an Alphabet Inc. company, where she led international and US regulatory initiatives to bring internet access to unserved and underserved communities around the world via a network of balloons on the edge of space. She also held roles at the Consumer Technology Association, National Public Radio, MCI, and private legal practice.
Julie is a past president of the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA – The Tech Bar) and she also served as chair of the FCBA Foundation. She was a long-serving member of the Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer Advisory Committee and also served on its Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee. Other Board positions include USTelecom and the United States Technical Training Institute (USTTI).
Julie earned her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College and a J.D. from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law, with a certificate from its Law and Technology Institute. She recently completed a 3.5 year term on the Columbus School of Law’s Board of Visitors. A trained singer, she has sung with choruses in the San Francisco Bay Area and Washington, DC area, most recently with Schola Cantorum (CA) and the Choral Arts Society of Washington (DC).
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.
Matthew Newman is the global chief correspondent for MLex and writes about data protection, privacy, telecoms, cyber security, and artificial intelligence. Matthew began his journalism career in 1991 in community newspapers. He worked as a reporter in Riga, Latvia, in 1993 and then moved to Chicago, where he covered local news. In 1995, he became a personal finance reporter for Dow Jones Newswires, and was then transferred to Brussels in 1999. He specialized in EU regulatory affairs, including trade and telecom issues. He began covering competition for Bloomberg News as an EU court reporter in 2004. In 2010, he was named spokesman for Viviane Reding, the EU’s justice commissioner. In January 2012, he helped launch the commission’s proposal for overall data protection rules. He began working at MLex in April 2012 and has covered mergers, antitrust, and state-aid cases. He spent a year studying French, history, and communications in Grenoble, France, in 1988 and 1989 and is a graduate of Boston University with degrees in history and journalism. He earned a diploma in competition law from King’s College in 2016.
Within the ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications (CSC) Directorate of the European Space Agency, Fabrice is in charge of a team focused on the initiation, technical consolidation and programmatic build-up of new Satcom related programmes or projects such as Public Private Partnerships (PPP) with an overarching goal of supporting the development of innovative solutions from ESA member states industry. His function involves interactions with high level managements of the various stakeholders including industries and ESA members states delegations to turn concepts/ideas into a fully funded programs and negotiated projects to implement. In view of the next ESA Council at Ministerial level of November 2025, Fabrice is currently leading the highly strategic ESA Direct-to-Device initiative. Prior to joining ESA in 2007, Fabrice spent the first decade of his career designing and building Telecommunication satellites in industry.
Dr Xavier Bertrán was appointed as Chief Product & Innovation Officer in April 2024 to oversee the innovation, development and delivery of SES’s products and systems.
In 2022, Xavier joined SES as Senior Vice President to lead European Programmes that included strategic projects with the European Commission, European Space Agency, and other New Space initiatives. His extensive experience in the sector includes 20 years at Airbus where he held several executive positions in Upgrade Services, Diversification Programmes, Airbus ATR SAS and was also the Deputy Director for the Galileo PPP programme.
Xavier also served as a Member of the Board of Directors of several companies including Airbus Interior Services S.A.S, ATR GIE, KID Systeme GmbH and Skytra Ltd.
Xavier earned a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Technology (RWTH) in Aachen and a Global Executive MBA from the IESE Business School in Barcelona.
Xavier is a British, German and Spanish citizen.
A telecommunications engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) and a graduate in Senior Management (PDG) from IESE, Javier has more than 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry in Europe and Latin America. He worked at Telefónica in the deployment of TV services in Spain and in 2009, he moved to Latin America to join the team responsible for leading the launch of TV services in Latam (DTH, IPTV, OTT). He was part of Telefónica’s Global Technology team, assuming the Operations Director of all global service platforms deployed in Latam (IoT, MVNO, Video, etc.). In 2021, he joined Hispasat as Director of the company created that year in Peru and, after 14 years in Latin America, since October 2023 he has taken responsibility for the Strategic Direction of HISPASAT in Madrid with the aim of being part of the team whose mission is to transform HISPASAT into a satellite service provider with its own capacity.
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.
Antoine is a Partner based in our London office. He has extensive expertise in telecoms and technology, with a further specialisation in the space sector. Antoine helps clients around the world solve key challenges and accelerate impact. His remit is broad, and covers strategy, regulation and transaction support.
Antoine leads our consulting work for the global space sector, working closely with our leading Space and Satellite research practice. He believes in opening new perspectives, accelerating visions, and in crafting strategies that lead to real-world change – something he has done repeatedly as a senior executive in industry. Analysys Mason’s blend of intellectual rigour, creativity, agility and pragmatism gives clients confidence to act quickly, and to make fast and effective decisions in often rapidly evolving landscapes.
Antoine re-joined Analysys Mason from Inmarsat (now Viasat) where he was Senior Vice President for Strategy, Partnerships and Corporate Development. He also sits on the Advisory Board of the UK accelerator for space technology and applications (Catapult UK). Previously, Antoine worked for HP Labs, for Orange, and led a wide spectrum of TMT advisory projects across strategy, policy, and transaction support over the course of a dozen years at Analysys Mason and Deloitte.
Antoine’s academic and professional qualifications include an MBA ESSEC (France); MPhil in Computer Science (France) and an MEng in Telecoms (France). He is also an alumnus of the Financial Times NED programme (UK) and of the Space Studies programme by the International Space University, Rice University and NASA (USA).
A keen offshore sailor in his younger days, he has now traded ocean racing boats for e-sailing and indoor rowing – with virtual views – as family life took over. Currently, he still gets to navigate TMT markets.
More information available shortly.
Ms Nontombana has extensive experience in research and strategy, as well as analysis and business planning. Prior to joining ICASA, Ms Nontombana worked as a Manager for Market Conduct at the Competition Commission.
Ms Nontombana has held several positions where she worked as an Economist at the Department of Education. With her refined skills, she worked as a Principal Investigator at the Competition Commission, and later as a Principal Investigator.
She is a powerful force, having been named one of 40 Women in their 40s in Competition Law enforcement in Europe, America and Africa in 2018. With vast experience in her sector, she has written various chapters and coordinated inputs into reviewing internal procedures for the division for which she worked.
Ms. Nontombana holds a Master of Business Leadership from UNISA Graduate School of Business Leadership, a Master of Philosophy in Economic Policy from the University of Stellenbosch, Honours Degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Cape Town.
Emma Marion advises space, satellite, and telecommunications companies on regulatory and compliance matters before telecommunications regulators, including the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She assists companies in obtaining spectrum and imaging licenses, participating in rulemakings, coordinating market entry across multiple jurisdictions, and on issues relating to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations governing the international use of spectrum. Emma’s work spans a number of topics and has particularly focused on: licensing of novel space and satellite services, market access and global expansion, space safety and sustainability, communications equipment and infrastructure, and policy issues.
Jaume Sanpera, Sateliot’s CEO, is a seasoned executive with nearly 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. A prominent figure in Spanish technological entrepreneurship, he has founded multiple successful companies, including Eurona, the first telecom satellite operator in Europe listed on the stock market in 2010, and Ambientum, a leader in Spain’s environmental sector. His ventures have gained wide international presence, solidifying his reputation as an expert in telecommunications. Jaume’s achievements have earned him recognition in the media and forums, where he shares insights on innovation and leadership, further establishing his influence in the industry.
Marko Keskinen is a seasoned leader in the field of technology and telecommunications, serving as Global Head of Software and CEO Finland at Skylo Technologies. He has a proven track record of strategic leadership and innovation, including a notable tenure with Nokia. At Skylo, he has been at the forefront of groundbreaking advancements, overseeing the creation of the world’s first software-defined network for direct-to-device satellite service. This development has expanded the possibilities for both new and existing IoT and consumer applications across various industries, use cases and device categories.
Dr Kamila Kloc joined the European Commission in December 2004.
As of July 2023 Kamila was nominated as the Director of Directorate B Digital Decade and Connectivity of Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) after acting in this position from February 2023. She held a position of the Head of Markets’ Unit in the same Directorate from 2019.
Previously she served as Deputy Head of Cabinet for Vice President Ansip responsible for Digital Single Market. Prior to joining the Cabinet, she worked at Directorate General for Energy coordinating exemptions from regulatory access rules for gas pipelines. During the Polish Presidency in 2011, she was seconded by the Commission to the President’s office of the Polish Energy Regulatory Authority.
Earlier, she worked for 5 years at the Directorate General for Competition dealing with merger and antitrust cases.
Prior to joining the Commission, she was employed at the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection in Poland as Adviser to the President. Kamila Kloc started her professional career in academia and taught at the Warsaw School of Economics as Assistant Professor. She has written her PhD on the role of competition policy in the public utilities sector with a special emphasis on telecommunications. She was a Fulbright scholar at the University of California in Berkeley and a Chevening fellow at Oxford University.
Xavier Lobao holds a Master in Telecommunication Engineering by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) a Master in Business Administration (MBA) by the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) and is a graduate from the International Space University (ISU) Summer Session Programme.
He has 35+ years of experience in the space sector, primarily in satellite telecommunications. Since 2000 he is working in the European Space Agency (ESA), where he is Head of the Future Telecom Programmes Division in the Connectivity and Secure Communication Directorate. Current focus areas are the integration of satellite in telecommunication networks (TN/NTN integration), D2D (Direct-to-Device) communications, the role of satellite in 5G/6G, in spectrum sustainability, in the future quantum information networks, communications on the Moon, cislunar orbit and beyond towards the Internet of the Solar System.
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.
Amit specialises in advising on complex wireless transactions and strategy projects, including supporting mobile operators with spectrum valuation and regulators with the development and implementation of spectrum policy.
Amit has over 25 years of experience advising fixed and mobile operators, regulators/government bodies, financial institutions and equipment manufacturers on commercial, technical and regulatory issues. He has supported several multi-billion dollar M&A and debt financing transactions and has led numerous high-profile studies in the area of radio spectrum policy. Amit brings a global perspective to his work, having undertaken projects for clients in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
Amit holds an M.Sc. in Radio Frequency and Communications Engineering from the University of Bradford, UK and an M.B.A. from the University of Warwick, UK.
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.
More information will be available shortly.
Hazem Moakkit is a veteran of the satellite industry where he has worked for over 22 years in various capacities. He currently serves as the Vice President of Spectrum Development at O3b Networks where he leads the creation and implementation of O3b’s global spectrum strategy.
Prior to O3b, Hazem spent 5 years at Yahsat in the United Arab Emirates as the Director or Regulatory & Spectrum Affairs where he created and managed the spectrum strategy, and was a key member of the corporate strategy team. Mr. Moakkit led the acquisition of vital orbital assets for the start-up operator and worked closely with regulators to obtain the required licenses. He was also instrumental in formulating the expansion strategy for Yahsat in Africa and South America.
Prior to joining Yahsat, Mr. Moakkit worked in various roles at Intelsat (previously PanAmSat) where he rose through the ranks to become a key member of the spectrum & regulatory group in Washington. There, Mr. Moakkit was responsible for frequency coordination activities for the Intelsat fleet of over 50 satellites spanning multiple administrations. During his tenure, he also worked in various system and sales engineering roles.
Early on in his career, Mr. Moakkit was a system integrator at ATCI, a nascent yet ambitious satellite system integrator based in Mesa, Arizona. While at ATCI he gained valuable hands-on experience designing, building and operating RF systems for Fortune 500 clients.
Mr. Moakkit holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University, an MBA degree from Georgetown University.
Juan is Access Partnership’s Director of Government Affairs, Space and Connectivity Lead. Juan gains market access for new technologies worldwide, by helping companies to comply with regulations as well as obtain licenses and permits for their products and services.
Before joining Access Partnership, Juan worked for more than 10 years in the Legislature of the City of Buenos Aires and in the Argentine National Senate. He holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in Political Science and another in Law, and an MBA from the University of Cambridge. He works in English and Spanish.
Amy Mehlman currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Global Affairs Officer at Lynk, a position held since April 2025. Previously, Mehlman was the Vice President of Global Affairs and Stakeholder Relations at E-Space from January 2022 to April 2025, and served as President of Mehlman Capitol Strategies Inc. from October 2021 to April 2025. Additional experience includes a role as a Consultant for RKF Engineering Solutions LLC from December 2021 to December 2023, and Vice President of US Government Affairs and Policy at Viasat Inc. from January 2020 to October 2021. Mehlman’s earlier career includes consulting for LightSquared and serving as Partner at Capitol Coalitions, as well as working as a Government Liaison at Wiley, Rein and Fielding. Mehlman holds a BA in International Politics from Penn State University, earned between 1988 and 1992.
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?
Herman is a global public policy and government affairs leader who has been at the forefront of technology policy and advocacy work with innovators, governments and regulators for over twenty years. During this period, he has built highly effective public affairs teams, managed relations with ministries and regulators across EMEA and APAC, and directed government affairs for some of the biggest names in corporate tech.
Before founding Policy Impact Partners, Herman was responsible for spectrum and broadband advocacy at mobile industry association, the GSMA, where he led the global campaign to secure more spectrum for broadband services at the 2015 UN World Radiocommunication Conference. He also designed and coordinated multiple advocacy programmes across key markets in the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific to advance the release and licensing of the ‘digital dividend’ spectrum for mobile.
Herman has built a strong global network of senior level contacts both in government and across industry, and has a trusted reputation for effectively advocating policies that align business and societal goals. He is an accomplished speaker and moderator, and a regular contributor to capacity-building programmes for regulators and government representatives across the world.
Earlier in his career, Herman established and led the EU public affairs technology practice of the global communications consultancy in Brussels, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, directing accounts with Amazon, Adobe, Microsoft and the Business Software Alliance. He also held operations, strategy and policy positions at British Telecom, and worked for the Dutch Industry Federation.
Herman has an MSc in political science and international economics and an MBA.
Jonas Wessel is Director of the Spectrum Department at the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS).
He was also Chair of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) for the 2018-2019 period. The RSPG is a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy. Jonas holds a MSC from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Industrial Engineering and Management. Jonas started his professional career as a strategy consultant, working mainly with business development in the telecoms and IT-sector.
In 2003, he joined the PTS as advisor on radio spectrum policy issues. After several positions within the Agency, including responsibility for auctions, he was assigned Director of the Spectrum Department in 2014. Jonas has been one of the driving forces behind the transformation of spectrum management in Sweden and has also been working with these issues internationally, mainly through the RSPG where he has been a delegate since 2004. He was Vice Chairman of the RSPG for the 2016-2017 period.
Gerasimos Sofianatos is the newly appointed Head of Unit of Connect B5, Radio Spectrum Policy Unit. Previously, he was Deputy Head of DG Connect Unit Connect B5, “Investment in high-capacity networks”. He has been working for the Commission since 2011, in different positions in DG Connect, in Directorate B, dealing with the policy and implementation of the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications. Gerasimos led the team monitoring and implementing EU law and in particular the European Electronic Communications Code, a piece of legislation in the drafting and negotiation of which he was actively involved. Prior to joining the Commission, Gerasimos worked as legal officer at the Cypriot National Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications (OCECPR). Before joining the Commission, he was a Member of the Athens Bar Association and practiced competition law. He holds a Masters degree in Business Law and a PhD in competition law at the Paris 1- Sorbonne University. He 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. Gerasimos is of Greek nationality and speaks Greek, English, and French.
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.
Barbee has served as General Counsel and Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Globalstar since July 2010. In this role he has directed Globalstar’s regulatory and licensing activities around the world.
Barbee has led the international regulatory effort required for the commercial introduction of the world’s first satellite direct-to-device service, now providing mobile satellite connectivity to millions of people globally. This effort included the expansion and licensing of Globalstar’s ground network now consisting of 28 gateway Earth stations in 18 countries.
Most recently, Barbee worked to secure the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s reauthorization of Globalstar’s senior HIBLEO-4 constellation filing for an additional 15-year license term.
He holds a law degree from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in Management degree from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business in New Orleans, Louisiana
More information available shortly.
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?
More information available shortly.
Peng is the Vice President of Policy & Regulatory at GSOA, where he leads advocacy efforts around spectrum management, licencing, and national policy initiatives. With experience in telecoms, mobile, and satellites, he has advised governments and industry players globally.
Previously at Eutelsat OneWeb, Peng shaped licencing frameworks for Low Earth Orbit constellations and satellite regulatory procedures for WRC-23. At GSMA, he ran a global campaign to improve spectrum licensing conditions for mobile operators, leading a global team of policy expert to engage with policymakers across developing markets.
Peng holds a Master’s in Telecommunication from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and an Executive MBA from London Business School. He speaks English, Mandarin, and French fluently.
Eric Fournier is currently Director for Spectrum Planning and International Affairs in the Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR), the French public agency in charge of spectrum management (www.anfr.fr).
In this capacity, he is responsible for preparing the revisions of the French national table of spectrum allocation and for coordinating French positions in international meetings and conferences on spectrum within ITU, CEPT and EU. He was deputy head of the French delegation for RRC-06, WRC-07, WRC-12, WRC-15, WRC-19 and WRC-23.
He was chairman of the RSPG, a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy, for the cycle 2022-23.
He has been involved in all discussions on major evolutions of spectrum in Europe and was Chairman of the Electronic Communication Committee (CEPT/ECC) from 2013 to 2018 and of the European Conference Preparatory Group for the World Radiocommunications Conference 2012 (CPG-12).
Eric is a graduate telecom engineer from SUPELEC (France).
Richard has 30 years’ experience working in technology, strategy and policy roles in industry, regulation and government. In Ofcom, he is leading work to understand the radio spectrum requirements of next generation wireless technologies, such as 6G and direct to device satellite services. Richard has an MBA from the University of Bath and an engineering degree from the University of Cambridge.
H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the Council of the African Space Agency (AfSA) since 2024, is a distinguished expert in space policy and sciences. He holds a PhD in Remote Sensing/GIS (Sherbrooke University, Canada) and has held leadership roles at Canada’s Space Agency (International Relations), Natural Resources Canada (Senior Science/Policy Advisor), and Environment Canada (Geospatial Management). Formerly at the African Union Commission, he coordinated the African Outer Space Programme including GMES & Africa program. Bilingual professional with tremendous experience in space R&D, policy and international relations, he pioneered Africa’s space governance as AfSA’s inaugural Council President.
Ms. Kim Mota is an Advisor at the Superintendence of Granting and Telecommunications Resources, specializing in project management and regulatory frameworks associated with both terrestrial and satellite communication systems.
Holding a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering, she has extensive experience in spectrum and orbital resource regulation, having worked at Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) since 2015. Her role encompasses management of national spectrum and orbital resources, as well as actively representing Brazil in international forums focused on global spectrum management issues.
Ms. Mota contributed to updating the Brazilian regulatory framework for satellite system authorization and usage, playing a key role in developing and implementing the new General Regulation for Satellite Exploration. This regulatory update significantly advanced Brazil’s satellite market, aligning it with international best practices and standards.
Julie Kearney is a Co-Chair of the Space Exploration and Innovation Practice and a partner in the Telecom group at DLA Piper. She is a globally recognized and dynamic lawyer in the technology, satellite, space, and telecommunications field. For more than 25 years, Julie has worked with governments, industries, and the public sector around the world to promote legal and regulatory frameworks and policies that enable life-changing technologies.
As the first Chief of the Space Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Julie represented and spoke for the Chairwoman and Commissioners on satellite and space-based communication matters and represented the Commission at the domestic and international level. Under Julie’s leadership, the FCC unanimously adopted several regulatory frameworks and launched initiatives to successfully advance industry leadership in the New Space Age. Additionally, during her tenure as Chief, the FCC adopted a regulatory structure for Supplemental Coverage from Space, which made the FCC the first regulator in the world to issue a framework for connecting satellites directly to consumer handsets using spectrum previously allocated only to terrestrial service.
Before joining the FCC, Julie served as the Vice President of Communications Regulatory Affairs and Policy at Twilio Inc., a publicly traded Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) provider, where she developed and implemented the company’s global telecommunications regulatory and policy and law enforcement response strategy. She also served as the Global Head of Communications Regulation and Policy for Loon, an Alphabet Inc. company, where she led international and US regulatory initiatives to bring internet access to unserved and underserved communities around the world via a network of balloons on the edge of space. She also held roles at the Consumer Technology Association, National Public Radio, MCI, and private legal practice.
Julie is a past president of the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA – The Tech Bar) and she also served as chair of the FCBA Foundation. She was a long-serving member of the Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer Advisory Committee and also served on its Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee. Other Board positions include USTelecom and the United States Technical Training Institute (USTTI).
Julie earned her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College and a J.D. from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law, with a certificate from its Law and Technology Institute. She recently completed a 3.5 year term on the Columbus School of Law’s Board of Visitors. A trained singer, she has sung with choruses in the San Francisco Bay Area and Washington, DC area, most recently with Schola Cantorum (CA) and the Choral Arts Society of Washington (DC).
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.
Matthew Newman is the global chief correspondent for MLex and writes about data protection, privacy, telecoms, cyber security, and artificial intelligence. Matthew began his journalism career in 1991 in community newspapers. He worked as a reporter in Riga, Latvia, in 1993 and then moved to Chicago, where he covered local news. In 1995, he became a personal finance reporter for Dow Jones Newswires, and was then transferred to Brussels in 1999. He specialized in EU regulatory affairs, including trade and telecom issues. He began covering competition for Bloomberg News as an EU court reporter in 2004. In 2010, he was named spokesman for Viviane Reding, the EU’s justice commissioner. In January 2012, he helped launch the commission’s proposal for overall data protection rules. He began working at MLex in April 2012 and has covered mergers, antitrust, and state-aid cases. He spent a year studying French, history, and communications in Grenoble, France, in 1988 and 1989 and is a graduate of Boston University with degrees in history and journalism. He earned a diploma in competition law from King’s College in 2016.
Within the ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications (CSC) Directorate of the European Space Agency, Fabrice is in charge of a team focused on the initiation, technical consolidation and programmatic build-up of new Satcom related programmes or projects such as Public Private Partnerships (PPP) with an overarching goal of supporting the development of innovative solutions from ESA member states industry. His function involves interactions with high level managements of the various stakeholders including industries and ESA members states delegations to turn concepts/ideas into a fully funded programs and negotiated projects to implement. In view of the next ESA Council at Ministerial level of November 2025, Fabrice is currently leading the highly strategic ESA Direct-to-Device initiative. Prior to joining ESA in 2007, Fabrice spent the first decade of his career designing and building Telecommunication satellites in industry.
Dr Xavier Bertrán was appointed as Chief Product & Innovation Officer in April 2024 to oversee the innovation, development and delivery of SES’s products and systems.
In 2022, Xavier joined SES as Senior Vice President to lead European Programmes that included strategic projects with the European Commission, European Space Agency, and other New Space initiatives. His extensive experience in the sector includes 20 years at Airbus where he held several executive positions in Upgrade Services, Diversification Programmes, Airbus ATR SAS and was also the Deputy Director for the Galileo PPP programme.
Xavier also served as a Member of the Board of Directors of several companies including Airbus Interior Services S.A.S, ATR GIE, KID Systeme GmbH and Skytra Ltd.
Xavier earned a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Technology (RWTH) in Aachen and a Global Executive MBA from the IESE Business School in Barcelona.
Xavier is a British, German and Spanish citizen.
A telecommunications engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) and a graduate in Senior Management (PDG) from IESE, Javier has more than 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry in Europe and Latin America. He worked at Telefónica in the deployment of TV services in Spain and in 2009, he moved to Latin America to join the team responsible for leading the launch of TV services in Latam (DTH, IPTV, OTT). He was part of Telefónica’s Global Technology team, assuming the Operations Director of all global service platforms deployed in Latam (IoT, MVNO, Video, etc.). In 2021, he joined Hispasat as Director of the company created that year in Peru and, after 14 years in Latin America, since October 2023 he has taken responsibility for the Strategic Direction of HISPASAT in Madrid with the aim of being part of the team whose mission is to transform HISPASAT into a satellite service provider with its own capacity.
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.
Antoine is a Partner based in our London office. He has extensive expertise in telecoms and technology, with a further specialisation in the space sector. Antoine helps clients around the world solve key challenges and accelerate impact. His remit is broad, and covers strategy, regulation and transaction support.
Antoine leads our consulting work for the global space sector, working closely with our leading Space and Satellite research practice. He believes in opening new perspectives, accelerating visions, and in crafting strategies that lead to real-world change – something he has done repeatedly as a senior executive in industry. Analysys Mason’s blend of intellectual rigour, creativity, agility and pragmatism gives clients confidence to act quickly, and to make fast and effective decisions in often rapidly evolving landscapes.
Antoine re-joined Analysys Mason from Inmarsat (now Viasat) where he was Senior Vice President for Strategy, Partnerships and Corporate Development. He also sits on the Advisory Board of the UK accelerator for space technology and applications (Catapult UK). Previously, Antoine worked for HP Labs, for Orange, and led a wide spectrum of TMT advisory projects across strategy, policy, and transaction support over the course of a dozen years at Analysys Mason and Deloitte.
Antoine’s academic and professional qualifications include an MBA ESSEC (France); MPhil in Computer Science (France) and an MEng in Telecoms (France). He is also an alumnus of the Financial Times NED programme (UK) and of the Space Studies programme by the International Space University, Rice University and NASA (USA).
A keen offshore sailor in his younger days, he has now traded ocean racing boats for e-sailing and indoor rowing – with virtual views – as family life took over. Currently, he still gets to navigate TMT markets.
More information available shortly.
Ms Nontombana has extensive experience in research and strategy, as well as analysis and business planning. Prior to joining ICASA, Ms Nontombana worked as a Manager for Market Conduct at the Competition Commission.
Ms Nontombana has held several positions where she worked as an Economist at the Department of Education. With her refined skills, she worked as a Principal Investigator at the Competition Commission, and later as a Principal Investigator.
She is a powerful force, having been named one of 40 Women in their 40s in Competition Law enforcement in Europe, America and Africa in 2018. With vast experience in her sector, she has written various chapters and coordinated inputs into reviewing internal procedures for the division for which she worked.
Ms. Nontombana holds a Master of Business Leadership from UNISA Graduate School of Business Leadership, a Master of Philosophy in Economic Policy from the University of Stellenbosch, Honours Degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Cape Town.
Emma Marion advises space, satellite, and telecommunications companies on regulatory and compliance matters before telecommunications regulators, including the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She assists companies in obtaining spectrum and imaging licenses, participating in rulemakings, coordinating market entry across multiple jurisdictions, and on issues relating to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations governing the international use of spectrum. Emma’s work spans a number of topics and has particularly focused on: licensing of novel space and satellite services, market access and global expansion, space safety and sustainability, communications equipment and infrastructure, and policy issues.
Jaume Sanpera, Sateliot’s CEO, is a seasoned executive with nearly 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. A prominent figure in Spanish technological entrepreneurship, he has founded multiple successful companies, including Eurona, the first telecom satellite operator in Europe listed on the stock market in 2010, and Ambientum, a leader in Spain’s environmental sector. His ventures have gained wide international presence, solidifying his reputation as an expert in telecommunications. Jaume’s achievements have earned him recognition in the media and forums, where he shares insights on innovation and leadership, further establishing his influence in the industry.
Marko Keskinen is a seasoned leader in the field of technology and telecommunications, serving as Global Head of Software and CEO Finland at Skylo Technologies. He has a proven track record of strategic leadership and innovation, including a notable tenure with Nokia. At Skylo, he has been at the forefront of groundbreaking advancements, overseeing the creation of the world’s first software-defined network for direct-to-device satellite service. This development has expanded the possibilities for both new and existing IoT and consumer applications across various industries, use cases and device categories.




With cutting-edge capabilities and decades of experience, Airbus has all that it takes to design, develop and operate major space systems and deliver powerful insights with our space-based services.
Around the globe, commercial and government customers alike rely on Airbus’ leading space technology and solutions.
We offer telecommunications satellites for any mission, very-high-resolution Earth observation instruments, unique deep space missions, flawless International Space Station operations and are a key contributor in bringing humans back to the moon. From the smallest electronic parts and spacecraft equipment to in-orbit delivery of satellites and associated services, reaching for the stars is our daily business.
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services.


Astroscale is the first private company with a vision for the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations, and the leading company solely dedicated to on-orbit servicing across all orbits.
Astroscale is developing innovative and scalable solutions across the spectrum of on-orbit servicing, including life extension, in situ space situational awareness, end of life, and active debris removal, to create sustainable space systems and mitigate the growing and hazardous build-up of debris in space.
Astroscale is also defining business cases and working with government and commercial stakeholders to develop norms, regulations, and incentives for the responsible use of space.







Neuraspace is a pioneer company in the use of AI/ML to fight Space Debris and collisions that can destroy satellites, enabling satellite operators to detect up to 50% more high-risk collisions that have been so far undetected and reducing the need for human intervention up to 2/3.
Neuraspace allows satellite operators to reduce operational manpower efforts, in particular for large constellations. The number of false alerts will be fewer, and the time between close approach and manoeuvre decision will be less. Thus, you will save on fuel and time, while collisions and the menace of space debris will be minimized.
Neuraspace provides an end-to-end solution centered around: (1) Data Fusion; (2) AI and Machine Learning; and (3) Manoeuvring Automation.
To contribute to the evolution of spacecraft operations, Neuraspace aims to solve the space debris problem by protecting satellites operators from the losses caused by collisions, liabilities from leaving debris in orbit and allowing insurance companies to better price the risk that each satellite poses.










Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately 2.15 billion euros in 2021 and has around 8,900 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US.


