BEREC will hold a hybrid workshop on the usage of satellite technologies in mobile communications on Wednesday, 22 May 2024, from 09:10 to 16:30 CET, in Mainz, Germany.

Background

Due to their unique characteristics, satellite communications (SatCom) can be an integral part of providing connectivity to remote locations where terrestrial networks are unable to reach and/or serve populations economically. During 2022, BEREC studied SatCom solutions for providing universal service (BoR (22)^[1]), which examined this particular SatCom role. To further BEREC’s understanding of SatCom, on 13 April 2023 BEREC organised an external workshop on secure and reliable connectivity from low earth orbit (‘LEO’) satellite feets (BoR (23)^[2]). The workshop gave BEREC an enhanced understanding of direct-to-device connectivity to International Mobile Telecommunication (‘IMT’) handhelds via satellite and identified some preliminary views on relevant regulatory issues that might arise. BEREC’s primary interest was to initiate discussions on the market access issues facing relevant industry stakeholders.

Goal

Some mobile operators have announced co-operation with satellite network operators to expand and complement coverage across rural parts of territories that they cover where the terrestrial infrastructure is limited or non-existent. The observations and discussions at the BEREC workshop in 2023 lead to the conclusion that stakeholder engagement should continue in 2024, as this will further enhance BEREC’s understanding of the relevant market access issues. It is also clear that SatCom, in particular, NGSO SatCom networks, and related services, are evolving fast, so it is reasonable to assume that there will be additional issues to consider. Therefore, on 22 May 2024 BEREC will hold another external workshop building on aspects of its earlier work.

To have a better understanding of relevant trends in Satellite Communication and potential opportunities and challenges for BEREC and NRAs, this workshop aims to examine a range of relevant issues, such as

potential regulatory issues associated with Non Terrestrial Networks (‘NTN’) in the context of extension of mobile/fixed communication networks (roaming, handover, numbering, interoperability and non-discrimination, market access and authorization, lawful interception, emergency calling, competition, consumer security and environmental sustainability).

Venue

The workshop will be a hybrid event, participants can either join via Webex, or in person at the BNetzA premises in Mainz, Germany.

Preliminary Programme

The program will roughly consist of the following segments, which will be alternated with interactive exchanges with speakers and audience:

Opening statements (associations tbc)
Status of Non-Terrestrial Networks and introduction to today’s regulatory challenges
Lunch
Deeper dive into market access trends and the direct-to-device ecosystems
Future opportunities and challenges
Closing remarks and networking opportunities