The panel session titled "The Future of Non-Geostationary Satellite Communication Systems: Technologies, Markets, and Challenges" brought together experts who discussed the opportunities and challenges associated with the implementation of such satellites.
With the advancement of technology, low Earth orbit satellites are becoming a key tool for ensuring global internet access. However, their mass deployment comes with challenges such as frequency regulation, ensuring the safety of orbital space, and competition with traditional geostationary systems (GSO).
Speakers noted that NGSO systems have the potential to significantly enhance internet access in remote areas, providing low-latency and high-speed connectivity. This makes them indispensable in telecommunications, transportation, defense, and emergency response sectors.
“The development of low Earth orbit satellites is not just a technological trend, but a fundamental step towards closing the digital divide. It concerns not only telecommunications but also access to education, healthcare, and business in the most remote corners of the world,” emphasized Vasily Leonov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Republican Center for Space Communication.
One of the key issues discussed was the environmental sustainability of satellite systems. Experts highlighted that with the increasing number of satellites, thoughtful mechanisms for their disposal and decommissioning are necessary. Otherwise, there is a risk of increasing space debris, which may threaten the operation of other orbital vehicles.
“Today, we face an important choice: if we do not take measures to control satellite constellations, orbits could turn into chaos, where collisions will become a reality,” said Lokman Kutsu, Executive Vice President of Turkish Aerospace Industry.
The discussion also addressed issues of international cooperation and regulation. In the context of high competition among players like SpaceX, Spacesail, and European projects, coordinating the use of orbits and frequencies becomes a complex task.
“We must consider that dozens of operators are working in space, and the frequency spectrum is limited. It is crucial for governments and international organizations to develop unified rules that will allow satellite systems to coexist without mutual interference,” noted Dmitry Vetlughin, Director of Market Access and Sales at Eutelsat OneWeb in Central Asia.
Another significant topic was the commercial use of satellite internet. NGSO systems open up promising markets in developing countries and provide solutions for aviation, maritime transport, agriculture, and the corporate sector.
“We are moving towards a future where satellite internet will be as accessible as mobile communication. The question is how to make it not only possible but also commercially sustainable,” emphasized Ji Wan, Vice President of Marketing and Services at Spacesail.
Forum participants reached a consensus that the future lies in the integration of GSO and NGSO systems. In the coming years, hybrid solutions can be expected, where geostationary satellites will provide high bandwidth, while low Earth orbit satellites will offer responsiveness and low signal latency.
“We are not talking about replacing one technology with another — the future of satellite communication lies in their complementarity,” emphasized Dauren Shaikhin, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Board Member of Kcell JSC.
Participants in the discussion included Vasily Leonov (Republican Center for Space Communication, Kazakhstan), Lokman Kutsu (Turkish Aerospace Industry, Turkey), Ji Wan (Spacesail, China), Dmitry Vetlughin (Eutelsat OneWeb, Central Asia), and Dauren Shaikhin (Kcell JSC, Kazakhstan).
The Digital Almaty 2025 forum is taking place from January 31 to February 1 at the Atakent Exhibition Complex. The theme of the event is "Industrial AI: Technologies for a New Era." The organizers include the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Akimat of Almaty, and the Innovation Technology Park Foundation.