Assessing the Promise of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites in Accelerating Rural Connectivity and Closing the Digital Divide
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:
| Date | Session / Activity | Presentation Material | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Mar 2022 | Webinar Recording |
Video: First of Two-Part Online Forum |
|
| 17 Mar 2022 | Opening | Acknowledgements |
Tricia Zafra, Chief, Public Relations and Information Division, Philippine Space Agency Maria Victoria Gazmin, Officer-in-Charge, Space Business Development Division, Space Industry and Strategic Business Development Bureau, Philippine Space Agency |
| 17 Mar 2022 | Opening | Webinar Introduction | John Garrity, Chief of Party, USAID’s BEACON Activity |
| 17 Mar 2022 | Opening | Remarks | Heather Variava, Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines |
| 17 Mar 2022 | Presentation |
Introducing Non-Geostationary Satellite Constellations Test Deployments to Improve Internet Services This presentation gives an overview of how the Philippines Space Agency isbridging the digital divide and building the local space industrythrough internet... |
Joel Joseph Marciano, Jr. |
| 17 Mar 2022 | Presentation | Expanding the Provision of Internet Services through Inclusive Access to Satellite Services | Emmanuel Rey Caintic, Acting Secretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology |
| 17 Mar 2022 | 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 connectivity... |
Arndt Husar |
| 17 Mar 2022 | Panel Discussion | Prominent LEO Satellite Constellations: Tech, Commercial Approaches and Market Entry Challenges |
Moderator: John Garrity, USAID BEACON Fariba Malouf, Corporate Counsel Amazon’s Project Kuiper Bala Balamurali Director, Southeast Asia and Pacific Region OneWeb |
| 17 Mar 2022 | Panel Discussion |
Jonathan Hofeller, Vice President, Starlink Commercial Sales SpaceX Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial Officer, AST SpaceMobile |
|
| 17 Mar 2022 | 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 |
| 17 Mar 2022 | Presentation | Increasing the Use of e-Commerce in Various Segments of Rural Economies | George Barcelon, President, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
| 17 Mar 2022 | Closing | Synthesis | John Garrity, Chief of Party, USAID’s BEACON Activity |
| 17 Mar 2022 | Closing | Closing Remarks | Thomas Abell, Chief, Digital Technology for Development, ADB |