Australia: Federal LEOSat working group to hold first meeting today

The federal government’s new working group examining the future role of satellite technology in delivering telecommunications services will meet for the ϐirst time today in Sydney.

The group’s creation represents the ϐirst formal effort by policy makers to consider how the rise of LEOSats may impact on thorny issues such as the supply, economics and cost of universal service provision.

This First meeting will hear from industry participants on their use of satellite technology and “opportunities for future growth – particularly in rural and regional communities.” The government expects the Working Group also expects to provide advice and feedback on possible regulatory reforms to support the industry.

However, the government would not reveal the identities of the participants as we went to press, citing conϐidentiality concerns.

It did say, however, that the meeting would hear from representatives from across the low earth orbit satellite and telecommunications sector, as well as representation from relevant government agencies and First Nations peoples. CommsDay understands the Australian Space Agency and the Australian Communications and Media Authority are attending.

The government ϐirst announced the formation of the Working Group in October last year. Communications minister Michelle Rowland said: “The launch of the Albanese Government’s LEO Satellite Working Group will help ensure telecommunications regulation keeps pace with emerging technologies. There is considerable interest in whether LEOs and other emerging satellite technologies can improve outcomes for Australians living in remote and regional areas. I look forward to meeting with the Working Group today and engaging collaboratively with industry to achieve positive outcomes for Australian consumers.”

The Working Group will examine LEOSat technologies, and the developing market with the aim of: building an understanding of the technology and its capabilities; identifying where LEOSat technologies may deliver positive outcomes for consumers; identifying policy or regulatory issues; and supporting well-informed decision making by Government.

The Working Group will have a broad interest in LEOSat operations, and its focus is  on examining: products, including their technical capability and features, accessibility, affordability, consumer support, and commercial sustainability; the potential role of LEOSats in regional, rural and remote connectivity, including mobile coverage and 9,903 opens yesterday better delivery of universal telecommunications services; competition and the role of LEOSats relative to other satellite technologies, including as a useful complement and potential for accelerated replacement for existing technologies; use cases, including by households and businesses; Internet of Things; emergency telecommunications; broadband for high mobility locations and transportation use cases; and the role of government, including regulatory/policy certainty for industry in areas such as spectrum, consumer protection, data protection and national sovereignty issues.

The government also emphasised that: “There are a range of established forums in place to consider the regulatory framework that LEOs operate in. The Working Group is not seeking to replace them. In particular, the Working Group will not examine is[1]sues under consideration by the World Radiocommunications Conferences or within the remit of the Australian Space Agency, including space sustainability.

Grahame Lynch, Commsday

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