Look back on the inaugural Americas Space and Direct-to-Device Policy Forums.

With the launch of the Americas Direct-to-Device Policy Forum and the Americas Space Forum in December 2025, Forum Global expanded its growing portfolio of transatlantic space and satellite policy forums. 

Over two days, stakeholders from across the continent came together for candid, constructive exchanges on the policies shaping the future of satellite communications and space activity across the Americas. Where, with a mix of keynote addresses, high-level panels, and intimate fireside chats, the forums offered a unique platform for conversation between policymakers and regulators, industry leaders and innovators. 

For reflections and highlights on both events, read on below. 

We have to make sure the benefits of space technology are spread across the Americas. Whether that's communications, whether that's jobs, whether that's remote sensing data, or even exploration. I think that we have an opportunity as a hemisphere to come together and reap the benefits of space technology.
George T. Whitesides, Representative for California's 27th Congressional District. 

Adam Cassady delivers his keynote address at the Americas Direct-to-Device Policy Forum.

Americas Direct-to-Device Policy Forum | December 8, 2025

Building on the success of its European equivalent, itself launching in 2025, the Americas Direct-to-Device Policy Forum began with a compelling keynote line-up. Following brief remarks from Ari Q. Fitzgerald of Hogan Lovells, delegates heard addresses from Adam Cassady (NTIA), Carlos Manuel Baigorri (ANATEL), and Tom Stroup (SIA). All of whom earnestly explored the region’s, and indeed, the globe’s, continued interest in direct-to-device connectivity and its many use cases. Their addresses served to set the tone for the day's discussion, as well as highlighted the global role of direct-to-device connectivity.

The opening session, “Enabling D2D: Spectrum Strategies, Connectivity Models, and Ecosystem Dynamics”, continued this momentum. A deep dive into spectrum strategies and deployment models, panellists unpacked the differences between International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) and Mobile Satellite Services (MSS). Where, with regulatory progress largely led by the U.S., Canada, and Brazil, the discussion focussed on how both spectrum models are evolving across the region.

Speakers here explored how regulatory choices are shaping rollout strategies, business models, and long-term viability across diverse markets. As the market seeks clarity, questions of coexistence vs. competition between the models, and between mobile network operators (MNOs) and satellite providers, sparked particularly animated discussion. 

With commentary from Carlos Manuel Baigorri (ANATEL); Scott Patrick (NTIA); David Willis (Ofcom); L. Barbee Ponder (Globalstar); and Amy Mehlman (Lynk Global); the session was skillfully moderated by Johanne Lemay of LYA Associates. 

The session also featured a sit down with SpaceX’s David Goldman. Discussing topics ranging from satellite deployment strategies to ongoing integration challenges, Goldman’s remarks explored the practical and technical realities of building a global direct-to-device ecosystem. Goldman too hinted at the scale and ambition required to support true device-native satellite connectivity at a global level.

Isabelle Mauro, Director General of GSOA, on stage at the Americas Direct-to-Device Policy Forum 2025.

I think the value is bringing together diverse communities; you have regulators, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academia. And, that’s really one of the key benefits in being together for a couple of days, hearing new concepts, hearing the exchange of views, being able to exchange best practices, and really, trying to drive the agenda forward together. 
Isabelle Mauro, Director General, GSOA

Kirk Sookram (TATT) delivers his presentation at the inaugural Americas Direct-to-Device Policy Forum.

Session 2 took a different approach. Here, delegates heard multiple, high-level perspectives on the evolution of direct-to-device connectivity strategies in the region. Featured speakers included: Sergio Sotomayor Rodríguez, Director General of Colombia’s ANE; Luis Ottati of Argentina’s ENACOM; Manuel González Farfán of Chile’s Subtel; and Kirk Sookram of Trinidad and Tobago’s TATT.

Each outlined the opportunities and challenges specific to their national contexts, highlighting differences in regulatory maturity, spectrum strategies, and policy objectives. They too all acknowledged the shared urgency of bridging digital divides and enabling next-generation services.

In the panel discussion that followed, industry reacted to the thoughts of regulators prior. DLA Piper’s Julie Kearney and Michal Kasprowicz were joined by Pascale Dumitt (T-Mobile); Isabelle Mauro (GSOA); and Mindel de la Torre (Skylo Technologies). They shared candid insights on how business strategy, investment certainty, and competitive positioning are being shaped by evolving regulatory regimes and policymaking trends.

Omnispace’s George Giagtzoglou joins the FCC’s Edyael Casaperalta and Skylo Technologies’ Tarun Gupta in the final session of the day.

The final session of the Americas Direct-to-Device Policy Forum turned the spotlight on the business of D2D. Titled “Unlocking Commercial Success: Business Models, Monetization, and Market Maturity”, the panel brought together both public and private sector leaders to examine the evolving commercial landscape of direct-to-device connectivity.

Regulators including Adán Salazar Garibay, Commissioner of Mexico’s Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT), and Edyael Casaperalta, Legal Advisor to Commissioner Gomez at the FCC, discussed the role of regulatory frameworks in shaping commercial opportunity, as well as where they still fall short. Their reflections focused on the alignment between policy and innovation, and whether the current trajectory of D2D connectivity can meet industry’s expectations.

They were joined by leaders from across the D2D value chain, including Alfie Ulloa (Chile Telcos), George Giagtzoglou (Omnispace), Tarun Gupta (Skylo Technologies), and Mohammad Marashi (SES). Their contributions brought a real-world perspective to the table, discussing monetization strategies, high-value enterprise use cases (such as industrial IoT and smart agriculture), and the critical need for market certainty to unlock investment. Together, the panel evaluated whether today’s momentum can deliver lasting commercial success, or whether certain hurdles may yet slow adoption. 

Taylor Jordan, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, and Director of the Office of Space Commerce.

Americas Space Forum | December 9, 2025

Forum Global were delighted to welcome Taylor Jordan, NOAA’s Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, and the new Director of the Office of Space Commerce; Marco Antonio Chamon, President of the Brazilian Space Agency; and Isabelle Mauro, Director General of GSOA, to open the inaugural edition of the Americas Space Forum. 

Setting the tone for a day of insightful debate to follow, their remarks were focussed and direct, each addressing domestic, regional and global trends in the sector.

Space is global; we need cooperation, and we need to understand the possibilities of other countries, institutions and neighbours. This kind of event is essential, it’s instrumental for this kind of knowledge.
Marco Antonio Chamon, President, Brazilian Space Agency.

Marco Antonio Chamon, President of the Brazilian Space Agency on stage at the Americas Space Forum. NASA’s Meredith McKay and ESA’s Alexander Soucek join him.

Titled "Towards a Cohesive Space Policy Framework Across the Americas", our opening session reflected on the considerable regulatory fragmentation that continues to characterise space activity across the Americas.

Posing an important question: what would a more unified vision of space governance look like in practice, panelists examined how divergent national space laws, export control regimes, licensing frameworks, and of course, overlapping regional agreements often act as barriers to cross-border collaboration. In turn, limiting regional cooperation, investment and innovation.

Given ongoing security concerns, the discussion also explored the delicate balance between national sovereignty and the collective benefits of regional or global cooperation. In an era of shifting geopolitical dynamics and rising commercial activity in space, this theme in particular sparked animated debate. 

In our opening session, panellists included Adán Salazar Garibay, (CRT Mexico); Julie Kearney (DLA Piper); Jennifer Warren (Lockheed Martin Corporation); and Juan Caro (NOAA). The session was moderated by George V. John of Hogan Lovells.

Session 1 of the Americas Space Forum, “Towards a Cohesive Space Policy Framework Across the Americas”, featuring Juan Caro, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International and Space Affairs at NOAA.

Following an insightful keynote from Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), focus turned to space sustainability. A challenge that continues to grow in urgency, delegates heard that with more than 100 million pieces of debris currently orbiting Earth, the safe and sustainable use of space has become a top priority and demands coordinated global action from both governments and industry stakeholders.

Here, in the following panel discussion, Carlos Manuel Baigorri, President of Brazil’s ANATEL; Alicia Brown of the Commercial Space Federation; Tahara Dawkins of CONFERS; and Richard Womersley of OfReg - Cayman Islands, joined a session moderated by Brian Weeden, ​​Director of Civil and Commercial Policy at the Center for Space Policy and Strategy. 

Through the following thinking point, ‘Views from the Hill: Discussion Points from the Congressional Subcommittee Space and Aeronautics’, we were pleased to welcome the thoughts of Rep. Valerie P. Foushee and Rep. Mike Haridopolos, Chair and Ranking Member of the Congressional Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, respectively.

In their recorded remarks, both representatives offered valuable insights into the Congressional priorities shaping U.S. space policy today. Separately, they too reaffirmed bipartisan interest in protecting the long-term viability of the space environment. 

Minh Nguyen, FAA, withLafayette Greenfield II of Gibson Dunn and Janice Starzyk from the Office of Space Commerce. 

As the space sector undergoes continued democratisation and industry access, the third session of the day focussed on the so-called "Business of Space" and the region’s emerging commercial space ecosystem.

Moderated by Stephan Sloan of All 6G LLC, we were pleased to welcome significant industry and policymaking experience to the discussion. With Janice Starzyk (Office of Space Commerce), Dr. Minh Nguyen (Federal Aviation Administration), Lafayette Greenfield II (Gibson Dunn), Luis Guillermo Alarcón López (Inter-American Development Bank), and Caryn Schenewerk (CS Consulting LLC, representing Astrolab) joining Steven on stage. 

From financial mechanisms and policy frameworks to technological innovation and cross-border cooperation, the session offered a multidimensional look at the opportunities and constraints shaping the next chapter of commercial space development. Their notes highlighted investment priorities, barriers to entry, and the structural conditions needed to unlock sustainable growth as key determinants of success in the period to follow. 

We are all driven by the same goal, and that’s to communicate and to understand how we can succeed together in the space economy. Events such as the Americas Space Forum provide such as important opportunity for industry and regulators, to sit at the same table, and even have some lunch together, to talk about what is important, what are the challenges, and how can we overcome them together. 
Julie Kearney, Partner, Co-Chair, Space Exploration and Innovation Practice, DLA Piper

In focus: Julie Kearney, DLA Piper at the inaugural Americas Space Forum. George John (Hogan Lovells) and Adán Salazar Garibay, (CRT Mexico) join her. 

The penultimate session of the day focussed on the future of space-based connectivity, and perhaps the most critical, and indeed complex, topics shaping its future: spectrum management. 

With demand for non-terrestrial network (NTN) services rapidly accelerating, the spectrum needed to power these services is set to increase significantly. Yet without cohesive, transparent, and efficient regulatory frameworks, spectrum management risks becoming a bottleneck. In turn, impeding innovation, cross-border coordination, and equitable access.

Moderated by Tom Stroup (SIA), delegates heard from several of the regional voices driving these crucial conversations. Regulators Juan Martín Ozores (ENACOM Argentina); Manuel González Farfán (Subtel Chile); and Carolyn Mahoney (FCC); were joined by industry stakeholders Kalpak Gude (Amazon Leo); Mindel De la Torre (Skylo Technologies); and Catherine Kuersten (Northwood Space). 

With frank and honest debate, discussion points reflected on the rapid evolution of the satellite sector, as well as its demand on spectrum licensing frameworks and access models throughout the Americas. All highlighted the regulatory opportunities and challenges particular to the region, and, with an eye to the future, the key issues dominating the build up to WRC 27.

Tom Stroup, SIA, moderating Session 4 at the Americas Space Forum. 

Bringing together a distinguished panel of leaders, our closing session explored the trends and dynamics shaping international space dialogue. The discussion examined how governments and space agencies are rethinking traditional approaches to space diplomacy, multilateral coordination, and international regulation. Particular attention was paid to the rising need for coalition-building, standard-setting, and norm-shaping as space becomes more congested and contested. Looking ahead, the session also considered how the Americas can continue to lead critical global conversations, from sustainability and security to economic development and equitable access, in shaping a safe and cooperative orbital future.

Moderated by Charity Weeden (Atlantic Council), Marco Antonio Chamon, President of the Brazilian Space Agency joined NASA’s Meredith McKay; ESA’s Alexander Soucek; ITI Space Enterprise Council’s David Logsdon; and Jennifer Warren of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Together, the panel explored how the Americas’ role in global space affairs is evolving in response to shifting geopolitical dynamics, both terrestrially and in orbit.

Forum Global extends its sincere thanks to all partners, sponsors, speakers, and attendees for making the inaugural edition of both the Americas Space and Direct-to-Device Policy Forums a success. Your insights, energy, and collaboration are what continue to push this agenda forward.

We now look ahead to the next edition of both events, as well as the return of the European Space and Direct-to-Device Policy Forums. For opportunities across our portfolio: sam.ling@forum-global.com

For updates on our upcoming events, sign up to our mailing list here.

Stay informed with Forum Global's space and connectivity events here.