Assessing the Promise of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites in Accelerating Rural Connectivity and Closing the Digital Divide 17 March 2022 High-level policymakers and experts discussed and explored the exciting potential of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites in expanding broadband access, encouraging investment in new broadband technologies, and bringing more users online, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the Philippines. Organized by the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the webinar was the first of a two-part series and featured invited speakers from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Philippine Space Agency, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the ADB. Selected use cases were shared by companies that are operating or building LEO satellite constellations such as Amazon’s Project Kuiper, AST SpaceMobile, OneWeb, and SpaceX. Visual Summary for Part 1, 17 March 2022: Program and Learning Materials 17 March 2022 Session / Activity Title Speaker(s) Webinar Recording Video: First of Two-Part Online Forum Opening Acknowledgements Tricia Zafra, Chief, Public Relations and Information Division, Philippine Space AgencyMaria Victoria Gazmin, Officer-in-Charge, Space Business Development Division, Space Industry and Strategic Business Development Bureau, Philippine Space Agency Opening Webinar Introduction John Garrity, Chief of Party, USAID’s BEACON Activity Opening Remarks Heather Variava, Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Presentation Introducing Non-Geostationary Satellite Constellations Test Deployments to Improve Internet Services This presentation gives an overview of how the Philippines Space Agency is bridging the digital divide and building the local space industry through… Joel Joseph Marciano, Jr. Presentation Expanding the Provision of Internet Services through Inclusive Access to Satellite Services Emmanuel Rey Caintic, Acting Secretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology Presentation Digital Connectivity and Low Earth Orbit Constellations This presentation gives a brief introduction to the benefits and challenges of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations in light of addressing… Arndt Husar Panel Discussion Prominent LEO Satellite Constellations: Tech, Commercial Approaches and Market Entry Challenges Moderator: John Garrity, USAID BEACONFariba Malouf, Corporate Counsel Amazon’s Project KuiperBala Balamurali Director, Southeast Asia and Pacific Region OneWeb Panel Discussion Jonathan Hofeller, Vice President, Starlink Commercial Sales SpaceXChris Ivory, Chief Commercial Officer, AST SpaceMobile Presentation Satellite Broadband and Financial Inclusion This presentation gives an overview of how satellite broadband can help in accelerating financial inclusion and digital finance. Ellen Joyce Suficiencia Presentation Increasing the Use of e-Commerce in Various Segments of Rural Economies George Barcelon, President, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Closing Synthesis John Garrity, Chief of Party, USAID’s BEACON Activity Closing Closing Remarks Thomas Abell, Chief, Digital Technology for Development, ADB Disclaimer The views expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Event Coordinator/s Digital Technology for Development Unit ADB Organizer/s Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department Read Also Digital Connectivity and Low Earth Orbit Satellite Constellations: Opportunities for Asia and the Pacific Five ways low earth orbit satellites will impact Asia and the Pacific INCENTIVISE: Introducing Non-Geostationary Satellite Constellations Test Deployments to Improve Internet Services Partner Organization/s ADB's Focus on Digital Technology USAID’s Beacon Project Philippine Space Agency Topics ICT Regional Cooperation and Integration