Satellite Communications, Regulation and Licensing: An Executive Masterclass for Commonwealth Regulators

The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), in collaboration with the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Amazon, is pleased to present a five-day regional masterclass on Satellite Communications, Regulation and Licensing. The programme will be hosted by the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) in Gaborone, Botswana.

As satellite technologies become increasingly important to broadband expansion, digital inclusion, emergency communications and national digital transformation, policymakers and regulators require the knowledge and capabilities to establish enabling, secure and future-ready regulatory environments.

The masterclass will combine the FCC’s regulatory expertise with Amazon’s industry and technological perspectives. Participants will explore the regulatory foundations governing satellite communications alongside the practical application of emerging satellite technologies to address connectivity challenges across the region.

Key Areas of Focus

The programme will cover:

• Satellite communications systems, services and spectrum

• Geostationary and non-geostationary satellite systems

• Space-station and earth-station licensing

• Market access and international coordination

• Orbital-debris mitigation and space sustainability

• Emerging satellite technologies and service models

• Satellite-enabled broadband and rural connectivity

• Integration of satellite and terrestrial communications infrastructure

• Cloud-enabled satellite services and applications

• Infrastructure security, reliability and resilience

• Industry innovation and public, private collaboration

• National satellite connectivity and implementation planning
  

What Participants Will Gain

By the end of the masterclass, participants will be better equipped to:

• Understand the technical and operational foundations of satellite communications;

• Evaluate satellite licensing and market-access applications;

• Strengthen national regulatory and spectrum-management frameworks;

• Address emerging issues associated with GSO and NGSO satellite systems;

• Apply international regulatory good practices within national contexts;

• Understand emerging commercial satellite technologies and service models;

• Explore how satellite connectivity can support underserved communities and critical public services; and

• Identify practical opportunities for collaboration between governments, regulators and industry.
  

Who Should Attend?

The masterclass is designed for:

• ICT policymakers and senior government officials

• Telecommunications and spectrum regulators

• Satellite licensing and compliance professionals

• Universal service and digital-inclusion specialists

• Telecommunications and Internet service providers

• Satellite operators and infrastructure providers

• Technical, legal and regulatory advisers

• Professionals responsible for national broadband and digital-transformation programmes
  

Participation Arrangements

Participation is free of charge for representatives of CTO financial member organisations. Participating institutions will be responsible for their representatives’ travel, accommodation and associated expenses.

Places are limited. CTO members are encouraged to nominate officials whose responsibilities relate directly to satellite communications, spectrum management, licensing, broadband connectivity, digital infrastructure or ICT policy. Join policymakers, regulators, technology leaders and industry professionals from across the region for five days of expert-led learning, practical insights and regional knowledge exchange and help shape an inclusive, secure and satellite-enabled digital future.