The 19th European Spectrum Management Conference took place on 19-20 June 2024 at the Bluepoint in Brussels.
Across 2 days attendees had the opportunity to be involved in discussions on the key spectrum topics for the region and beyond, through interactive sessions, networking opportunities, an exhibition area and much more.
This event is part of The Global Spectrum Series. The world’s largest collection of regional spectrum policy conferences. Click on the images on the left to find out more about the series and to view the photos from last year.
Watch below the key takeaways from speakers and participants at the 19th European Spectrum Management Conference
Hover over the image to find out more…
Forum Europe events are where people and policy meet. We have been organising policy conferences in Brussels and around Europe since 1989.
Our events provide unique insights from the people behind the policy and those seeking to influence it. Our expert team develop conference programmes with impact and provide first-class event logistics. Forum Europe is more than an event management and conference production specialist. With offices in Brussels and the UK, we operate across Europe and globally. Through our international arm, Forum Global, our events cover five continents, and engage policymakers and industry at national and regional levels around the world. Our mission is to drill down to the issues that matter, creating policy events that are ahead of the curve, facilitating frank and open debate on some of the most pressing issues facing Europe and the world today.
We are tech policy specialists. We have launched international event initiatives focused on the Internet of Things and 5G, and are the creators of the world’s largest series of global conferences on wireless spectrum management issues – the Global Spectrum Series.
Analysys Mason is the world’s leading management consultancy focused on TMT, a critical enabler of economic, environmental and social transformation. They bring together unparalleled commercial and technical understanding to deliver bespoke consultancy on strategy, transaction support, transformation, regulation and policy, further strengthened by globally respected research.
Their clients value their advice which combines deep domain knowledge with global reach and local insight into markets to help them achieve meaningful business results.
Analysys Mason are committed to their clients, employees and communities – contributing to a world where technology delivers for all.
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. They are driven by the excitement of building technologies, inventing products, and providing services that change lives. They embrace new ways of doing things, make decisions quickly, and are not afraid to fail. They have the scope and capabilities of a large company, and the spirit and heart of a small one.
Together, Amazonians research and develop new technologies from Amazon Web Services to Alexa on behalf of our customers: shoppers, sellers, content creators, and developers around the world.
Amazon’s mission is to be Earth’s most customer-centric company. Their actions, goals, projects, programs, and inventions begin and end with the customer top of mind.
You’ll also hear us say that at Amazon, it’s always “Day 1.” What do they mean? That approach remains the same as it was on Amazon’s very first day – to make smart, fast decisions, stay nimble, invent, and focus on delighting our customers.
Cisco offers an industry-leading portfolio of technology innovations. With networking, security, collaboration, cloud management, and more, they help to securely connect industries and communities.
Coleago profile for conference website Founded in 2001, Coleago is a specialist telecoms management consulting firm.
Coleago’s expertise has been developed exclusively within the telecoms sector and delivers a rare combination of telecoms-related commercial and technical skills and experience. Since 2001 they have worked on over 110 spectrum related projects in developed and emerging markets. Since 2017 our spectrum projects included the transition to 5G, including valuating spectrum most relevant for 5G such as 600MHz, 700MHz, 3.5GHz, and mm wave.
Coleago advise regulators on spectrum policy, spectrum roadmap, spectrum pricing, spectrum auctions and capacity building on the topic best practice in spectrum auctions.
For mobile operators Coleago delivers regulatory advocacy and responses to consultation, spectrum valuation, bid strategy development, and live auction support. Coleago also authored complete bid books for spectrum licence awards by means of a beauty contest.
COMTEL are the right partners to accompany the technological evolution of companies, from small-medium businesses to large corporations via the Public Administration.
They support service providers in their daily operations for the efficiency of their infrastructures.
ICT System Integrator, leader in Italy for over 20 years, they have solid relationships with global players in the ICT market. In the constantly evolving business world we are the point of reference for Italian companies, thanks to our continuous research and training which allows us to anticipate technological market trends.
Ericsson is a world-leading provider of telecommunications equipment and related services to mobile and fixed network operators globally. Over 1,000 networks in more than 180 countries utilize their network equipment, and 40 percent of all mobile calls are made through their systems.
Ericsson are one of the few companies worldwide that can offer end-to-end solutions for all major mobile communication standards.
Communication is changing the way we live and work. Ericsson plays a key role in this evolution, using innovation to empower people, businesses, and society. We provide communications networks, telecom services, and multimedia solutions, making it easier for people all over the globe to communicate.
GSA (the Global mobile Suppliers Association) is a not-for-profit industry organisation representing companies across the worldwide mobile ecosystem who are engaged in the supply of infrastructure, semiconductors, test equipment, devices, applications, and mobile support services.
GSA actively promote the 3GPP technology road-map – 3G; 4G; 5G – and we are a single source of information for industry reports and market intelligence. Their Members drive the GSA agenda and define the communications and development strategy for the Association.
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers, and Internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors.
The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai, and the Mobile 360 Series conferences.
GSOA is a non-profit organisation established with the objective of serving and promoting the common interests of satellite operators from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the CIS.
The Association today represents the interests of 21 satellite operators who deliver information and communication services across the globe. Together, ESOA members provide invaluable communications services to the whole world, including emergency communications, live broadcasting, maritime and aero communications, secure services for governments, 24-7 monitoring of industrial processes such as energy plants, and a whole range of other communications capabilities that society has come to rely on.
HPE is a global, edge-to-cloud Platform-as-a-Service company built to transform your business. How? By helping you connect, protect, analyze, and act on all your data and applications wherever they live, from edge to cloud, so you can turn insights into outcomes at the speed required to thrive in today’s complex world.
Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices.
Huawei are committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. We have more than 194,000 employees, and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world.
Huawei is a private company wholly owned by its employees. Through the Union of Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd., we implement an Employee Shareholding Scheme involving 104,572 employees. Only Huawei employees are eligible to participate. No government agency or outside organization holds shares in Huawei.
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) operates the world’s first Globalized Network, delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services anywhere in the world.
Intelsat’s Globalized Network combines the world’s largest satellite backbone with terrestrial infrastructure, managed services and an open, interoperable architecture to enable customers to drive revenue and reach through a new generation of network services. Thousands of organizations serving billions of people worldwide rely on Intelsat to provide ubiquitous broadband connectivity, multi-format video broadcasting, secure satellite communications and seamless mobility services. The end result is an entirely new world, one that allows us to envision the impossible, connect without boundaries, and transform the ways in which we live.
The metaverse is the next evolution of social connection.
Meta’s company vision is to help bring the metaverse to life, so we are changing our name to reflect our commitment to this future.
Morse Micro is reinventing Wi-Fi for the Internet of Things.
With a bold vision to become the #1 wireless IoT chip company in the world, Morse Micro brings together the brightest engineers from around the globe, to build a new generation of wireless chips that reach farther, are lower power and truly secure.
We serve Commercial, Residential and Industrial IoT markets, in applications such as access control, security cameras, industrial automation, retail and mobile devices. Our turn-key solution enables a whole new range of smart devices to connect wirelessly.
Nokia is a global leader in creating the technologies at the heart of our connected world. Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry’s most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing.From the enabling infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things, to emerging applications in virtual reality and digital health, we are shaping the future of technology to transform the human experience.
Qualcomm’s technologies powered the smartphone revolution and connected billions of people.
While many of their inventions and breakthroughs reside “under the hood” of consumer electronics, they have transformed the world in a big way. They have helped propel mobile to the forefront of the technology world and to the top of consumers’ wish lists. They have created new opportunities for mobile ecosystem players — the wireless device makers, the operators, the developers and the content creators of the world.
More recently, Qualcomm’s inventions and breakthroughs have inspired fresh, new ideas from those companies — large and small — new to the wireless space. They are engineers, scientists and business strategists. Together, they focus on a single goal — invent mobile technology breakthroughs. We pioneered 3G and 4G — and now, they are leading the way to 5G and a new era of intelligent, connected devices.
Their products are revolutionizing industries including automotive, computing, IoT and healthcare, and are allowing millions of devices to connect with each other in ways never before imagined.
Omnispace is uniting the simplicity of mobile roaming with the scope of satellite to create the world’s first truly global 5G network.
Omnispace are reinventing communications to deliver greater reach, improved reliability, and enhanced quality of service for billions of users and devices worldwide. By integrating terrestrial and satellite networks into one seamless connected experience, they are empowering consumer, enterprise, government and IoT users worldwide.
Vodafone is a leading telecommunications company
Vodafone is a leading telecommunications company in Europe and Africa, led by its purpose to connect for a better future.
Vodafone develops a range of leading products and services to connect their customers and help build the digital societies of the future.
Established in 1996, the Wireless Innovation Forum™ comprises an international group of equipment vendors, subsystem vendors, software developers, technology developers, communication service providers, research and engineering organizations, academic institutions, government users, regulators and other interested parties who share the common business interests of advancing technologies supporting the innovative utilization of spectrum and the development of wireless communications systems, including essential or critical communications systems.
ZTE Corporation is a global leader in telecommunications and information technology. Founded in 1985 and listed on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges, the company has been committed to providing innovative technologies and integrated solutions for global operators, government and enterprise, and consumers from over 160 countries across the globe. Serving over 1/4 of the global population, the company is dedicated to enabling connectivity and trust everywhere for a better future.
The 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) is a global, cross-industry organisation of companies from the automotive, technology, and telecommunications industries (ICT), working together to develop end-to-end solutions for future mobility and transportation services.
Broadcast Networks Europe is dedicated to maintaining an efficient and fair regulatory and operational environment for Terrestrial Broadcast Network Operators with a view to ensuring European citizens continue having universal access to a broad range of TV and radio programs and content as well as other over-the-air services.
The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) is a global, cross-industry, not for profit organization advocating for laws, regulations, and economic best practices that will lead to more efficient utilization of spectrum and foster innovation and affordable connectivity for all.
With a history of innovation that began in 1925, Shure has turned a passion for making great microphones and audio electronics into an obsession.
Shure continues to set the worldwide industry standard for superior, reliable products.
Policy Impact Partners (PIP) is a global consultancy platform supporting the future of digital connectivity.
PIP bring together senior experts to develop, promote, and impact policy and regulations that enable innovative technologies to positively transform economies and societies.
thinkRF is one of the proud affiliates of the Wesley Clover International, a serial super angel, found or fund over 100 successful Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) companies, either independently or in partnership with other investors. The portfolio currently consists of public and private firms focused on next-generation Cloud and SaaS applications, hardware and services for fixed/mobile communications, video collaboration, customer engagement, analytics and more.
We are revolutionizing spectrum monitoring and intelligence. We provide ultimate visibility to wireless network operators and national regulatory agencies and empower them to optimize and utilize RF spectrum. We not only provide real-time, but also historical data and insights to guide wireless network operators in making informed decisions about their spectrum policies.
We are the leader in software-defined spectrum analysis platforms that monitor, detect and analyze complex waveforms in today’s rapidly evolving wireless landscape. Spectrum eXperience Management (SXM) is our subscription-based wireless network monitoring and intelligence solution. Wireless network operators can characterize, optimize and protect vital RF spectrum networks with real-time and historical insights on the state of wireless technologies.
In a world where smart technologies determine our everyday life more and more, it is increasingly important to ensure global connectivity through wireless communication.
This is where LS telcom AG, come into play: They deliver technologies and services to national and international regulatory authorities, network operators and vertical markets. 5G and IoT thereby form a main focus, but Defense and Public safety play an important role, too. LS telcom is the global leader in spectrum efficiency.
In line with the diversification and commercialization of radio technologies there has been a constant increase in demand for frequency spectrum and its commercial value. Their Smart Spectrum Solutions hereby offer not only a high quality but also numerous designing, planning, management and monitoring options.
Spectrum users in over 100 countries rely on our experts and products for efficient spectrum use. With around 235 employees in 15 subsidiaries worldwide we provide not only excellent products and services, but also a high number of diverse (online) trainings.
Founded in 2012, M2Catalyst is a global telecom data services provider dedicated to improving the mobile experience for all participants (consumers and enterprise alike) in the telecom ecosystem.
We deliver value to consumers worldwide through our free, privacy-compliant apps designed to help users achieve greater mobile network performance, including our highly acclaimed Network Cell Info Lite.
We also provide actionable network performance data in numerous formats to enterprise customers in 30 plus countries with our data visualization platform, Crowd SiteIntel (CSI)
For more information about our enterprise solutions or consumer apps, click here to access their contact form.
Aetha Consulting provides strategic advice to the telecommunications industry and specialises in undertaking rigorous data-driven quantitative assessments to help businesses, regulators and policy makers make major strategic and regulatory decisions.
Aetha works with clients to develop creative and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing them in a constantly changing environment. Aetha helps operators and regulators to analyse the opportunities and threats arising out of changes (whether real or proposed) in their radio spectrum holdings. Throughout the recent unprecedented growth of wireless services, Aetha’s staff have been at the forefront of spectrum policy. Their consultants have assisted regulators to award spectrum and develop regulatory frameworks, including supporting the European Commission to tackle issues such as spectrum trading and the digital dividend.
Aetha also support operators to understand their spectrum needs, value spectrum and bid in auctions. Each year they support around 10 bidders in spectrum auctions – a total of over 120 award processes between mid-2011 and 2023 across all regions of the world. Their technical knowledge, combined with their rigorous valuation modelling approach, ensures that clients are comprehensively prepared for auctions.
NERA Economic Consulting is a global firm of experts dedicated to applying economic, finance, and quantitative principles to complex business and legal challenges. For half a century, NERA’s economists have been creating strategies, studies, reports, expert testimony, and policy recommendations for government authorities and the world’s leading law firms and corporations.
NERA bring academic rigor, objectivity, and real world industry experience to bear on issues arising from competition, regulation, public policy, strategy, finance, and litigation.
NERA’s clients value our ability to apply and communicate state-of-the-art approaches clearly and convincingly, our commitment to deliver unbiased findings, and our reputation for quality and independence. Our clients rely on the integrity and skills of our unparalleled team of economists and other experts backed by the resources and reliability of one of the world’s largest economic consultancies.
With its main office in New York City, NERA serves clients from more than 25 offices across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
For 18 years, The European Spectrum Management Conference has provided the leading neutral platform for spectrum stakeholders policy discussion in the region. This event is taking place as part of The Global Spectrum Series.
In 2023, we welcomed over 200 delegates to Sparks, Brussels. Watch the Event Vlog below to see the highlights from the last edition.
Renate Nikolay is deputy director general at DG Connect. Before that, she was head of cabinet of Vera Jourova, the European commissioner for justice, consumers and gender equality. Before that, she led the Unit of interinstitutional and international relations in DG Justice between 2011 and 2014. She has also been an advisor in the cabinet of the first High Representative and Vice President Catherine Ashton where she led on the relations with the European Parliament in setting up the European External Action Service (EEAS) and on relations with Asia, in particular China. Before that, she was a member of the cabinet of Trade Commissioners Peter Mandelson and Catherine Ashton from 2004 to 2009. She started her career in the European Commission in the department for trade in November 2003 dealing with the accession negotiations of Vietnam to the World Trade Organisation and with the trade policy committee with the member states. She has also been a diplomat in the German Permanent Representation in Brussels and worked as private secretary to the German G8 sherpa in the German Ministry of Economics. Nikolay holds an M.A. as a Fulbright Scholar in Washington DC and a B.A. in law from the Free University in Berlin.
Mr. Mario Maniewicz was re-elected for a second term as Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 in Bucharest, Romania. Mr Maniewicz was first elected Director of the Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He first took office on 1 January 2019.
Mario Maniewicz is an electronic engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with the ITU for over 30 years, where he has held various positions of responsibility in the Radiocommunication and Development Bureaux as well as in ITU Regional Offices.
– From 2014 to 2018, he was the Deputy Director of ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau (BR), where he assisted the Director of the BR, Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academia in the vital function of global management of the radiofrequency spectrum and satellite orbits. He also headed the Informatics, Administration and Publication Department, was the overall organizer of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) and played a key role in WRC-15 serving as the Secretary of the Conference.
– From 2011 to 2014, he was the Chief of the Infrastructure, Enabling Environment and E-Applications Department in ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), where he directed the assistance to developing countries in bridging the digital divide by promoting the use of ICT-based networks, services and applications, while ensuring the use of appropriate technologies to build or extend their information and communication infrastructure, as well as adapt to the rapidly changing telecommunication/ICT environment. He also led activities aimed at providing guidelines and tools for the development of policy and regulatory frameworks, financing policies and development strategies. These included promotion of pervasive broadband deployment, transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, spectrum management and monitoring, as well as well as other areas of ICT development such as deployment of telecommunication and IP-based networks and use of reliable and cost-effective ICT applications while enhancing cyber-security. In addition, he promoted access and use of telecommunications and ICTs for groups that have been marginalized in their access to current mainstream ICT services, including women, youth, indigenous people, persons with disabilities and people living in remote communities.
– From 2007 to 2011, he was the Chief of BDT’s Policies and Strategies Department, where he led the development of telecommunications and ICT policies and regulations to assist developing countries in promoting investment and enhancing their networks and services. He was also responsible for the organization of the Global Symposium for Regulators, and he enhanced the event by incorporating the Chief Regulatory Officers and the Regional Regulatory Associations meetings. He directed other activities in the policy and regulatory domain, as well as in the areas of ICT statistical data collection and analysis, Internet and IP networks development, and human capacity building.
– From 2000 to 2007, he was the Head of the BDT’s Human Capacity Building Division, where he designed strategies and implemented projects on training, human resources management and development, organizational development and managerial development for telecommunications. He also assisted governments, regulators and operators of developing countries in the definition of their organizational and managerial strategies and policies, the identification of their Human Resource and Organizational Development needs, including training of top-level managers in modern management and competitive transformation related aspects.
– From 1993 to 2000, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Brazil Regional Office, where he managed projects in various fields such as rural telecommunication development, frequency management and monitoring, transformation of the telecommunication sector, strengthening of regulatory agencies and transformation of telecommunication operators, among others. He also played a key role in the definition of policies and regulatory frameworks for the opening of the telecommunication sector to competition in the Americas Region.
– From 1990 to 1993, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Chile Area Office, where he managed projects for the modernization and reorganization of incumbent telecommunication operators in the Americas Region. He also attended to the sectorial development needs of the countries in the region.
– From 1988 to 1990, he was Regional Expert at ITU’s Field Office in Peru, where he was responsible for the assistance to operators and regulators in developing and implementing methodologies for production and delivery of modular training in telecommunications. He also provided assistance to the countries in the region in the preparation of their top managers to face the changes in the sector, such as convergence and competition.
– From 1987 to 1988, he was the Director of ANTEL (Telecommunications Operator of Uruguay) Training Centre.
– From 1985 to 1987, he was Telecommunication Engineer at ANTEL.
– From 1979 to 1985, he was Engineering Assistant at ANTEL.
– From 1984 to 1986, he was Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering of Uruguay’s Universidad de la República, for the chair of Electronics & Circuits, as well as for the chair of Circuits & Electric Measurements.
Mr. Maniewicz is married and he has two children. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.
Tonko Obuljen is the BEREC Chair 2024. He was appointed as President of the Council of Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) in 2018 and is currently serving his second five-year mandate.
Prior to the presidency, he served as Director of HAKOM from 2006 to 2009 and as a Member of HAKOM’s Council from 2009 to 2013. During the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union (2005-2013) he was a member of the Information Society working group and also served as a member of the drafting teams for the harmonization of Electronic Communications Act and bylaws with EU legislation. From 1993 to 2006, he worked in the Croatian electronic communications industry, mainly in microwave and satellite communications. He participated in developing the Croatian state aid programs for backhaul and access networks and in setting up current end-user protection ecosystem in Croatia. In 2020, Tonko Obuljen also served as a Vice-Chair of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications – BEREC.
More information will be available shortly.
Eric Fournier is currently Director for Spectrum Planning and International Affairs in the Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR), the French public agency in charge of spectrum management.
In this capacity, he is responsible for preparing the revisions of the French national table of spectrum allocation and for coordinating French positions in international meetings and conferences on spectrum within ITU, CEPT and EU.
He was deputy head of the French delegation for RRC-06, WRC-07, WRC-12, WRC-15, WRC-19 and WRC-23.
He was chairman of the RSPG, a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy, for the cycle 2022-23.
He has been involved in all discussions on major evolutions of spectrum in Europe and was Chairman of the Electronic Communication Committee (CEPT/ECC) from 2013 to 2018 and of the European Conference Preparatory Group for the World Radiocommunications Conference 2012 (CPG-12).
Eric is a graduate telecom engineer from SUPELEC (France).
Dr. Heidi Himmanen is a Chief Adviser at the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. Her tasks include promoting the uptake of wireless communications, especially 5G, in different sectors, such as transport, cities, and industry. The work includes supporting R&D and innovation and bridging the needs of the spectrum users with the development work in spectrum management. Heidi has previously worked as Head of Spectrum Supervision and Head of Radio Networks Unit at Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (today Traficom).
She holds a D.Sc. (Tech.) degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Turku, Finland, and an M.Sc. (Tech.) degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Helsinki University of Technology (today Aalto University), Finland.
Chris Woolford is Ofcom’s Director of International Spectrum Policy where his responsibilities cover the UK’s international spectrum interests, especially in relation to the ITU, CEPT and EU. He is a member of Ofcom’s Spectrum Executive Team and Strategy Steering Group.
Chris is active in various European spectrum committees and currently represents the UK on the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG). He has closely engaged for the UK on a number of key European and international spectrum initiatives and led the UK delegations to WRC-15 and WRC-12.
Before joining Ofcom, Chris worked in various UK Government Departments, including 6 years at Oftel, where he worked on different aspects of telecommunications regulation. Chris has a degree in mathematics and statistics from Manchester University.
U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). She joined the FCC in 2019, having previously served as an Attorney Advisor in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Ms. Quinley leads a wide range of FCC spectrum proceedings, including the adoption of new rules governing direct connections from satellites to wireless devices and the oversight of the Citizens Broadband Radio Service. Ms. Quinley also plays a significant role in U.S. government interagency spectrum management, having served as the FCC representative to the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee, which advises NTIA on a broad range of spectrum policy issues, and having worked to update the FCC and NTIA’s Memorandum of Understanding on spectrum coordination processes.
Jonas Wessel is Director of the Spectrum Department at the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS).
He was also Chair of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) for the 2018-2019 period. The RSPG is a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy. Jonas holds a MSC from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Industrial Engineering and Management. Jonas started his professional career as a strategy consultant, working mainly with business development in the telecoms and IT-sector.
In 2003, he joined the PTS as advisor on radio spectrum policy issues. After several positions within the Agency, including responsibility for auctions, he was assigned Director of the Spectrum Department in 2014. Jonas has been one of the driving forces behind the transformation of spectrum management in Sweden and has also been working with these issues internationally, mainly through the RSPG where he has been a delegate since 2004. He was Vice Chairman of the RSPG for the 2016-2017 period.
After a state exam in law at the University of Osnabrück, Mr Kühn has been working since 1998 in the area of legal internship (e.g. at Regional Court) of the Federal Network Agency Germany; changing to National and International Spectrum Regulation on different levels in 2005. Nowadays, he is the Deputy Head of Section for International Affairs and Utilization Concepts. His responsibilities cover strategic frequency utilization concepts and the transposition of those to the international level of CEPT, EU and ITU. Doing this and having been active in the preparation of three WRC’s, on national and on CEPT CPG level, Mr Kühn participated in a number of international Groups, also as Head of the German Delegation. He has also chaired several groups and subgroups in the ITU and CEPT. Since 2005, he has been responsible for the German preparation of the WRC’s and served as CEPT CPG Vice Chairman from 2010 to 2013. Mr Kühn was appointed Chairman of CPG in June 2013.
Detlef Fuehrer is the Senior Manager, Spectrum Management and Regulatory Affairs, EMEA in the CTO Office at Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company. His main responsibility is to set and drive HPE’s legislative & regulatory priorities for the radio spectrum in EMEA and to execute all aspects of HPE’s EMEA strategy.
Prior to Aruba, Detlef managed the Spectrum Engineering activities of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre where he established the Radio Spectrum Lab. Holding a diploma in Electronics Engineering from Dortmund University, he worked in the semiconductor industry for almost 20 years, predominantly in the communications domain, at Alcatel, Texas Instruments, and Hitachi Electronic Components. Detlef authored the first German-language expert book on ADSL and published numerous studies on spectrum sharing and wireless coexistence.
Martha Suarez was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia. She received her degree as Electronics Engineer from the Universidad Industrial de Santander in 2004. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in an exchange program with the Ecole Superieure Chimie Physique Electronique de Lyon, France, in 2001. She received her master’s degree in high frequency communication systems from the University of Marne-la-Vallee, France, in 2006 and her Ph.D. degree from the University Paris-Est in 2009. She joined the department of Telecommunications and Signal Processing at the École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs en Électronique et Électrotechnique de Paris ESIEE and the Esycom Research Center, where she worked on wireless transmitter architectures. In 2011, she was awarded with a Marie Curie Fellowship and worked at the Instytut Technologii Elektronowej ITE in Poland for the Partnership for Cognitive Radio (Par4CR) European Project. Her research interests were in the areas of wireless system architectures and the design of high performance Radio Frequency (RF) transceivers.
In 2013, she joined the National Spectrum Agency in Colombia, ANE, where she worked as Senior Adviser to the General Director and supported the international activities of the Agency. Afterwards, in December 2015, she became the General Director of ANE and continued promoting the efficient use of the Spectrum and the mobile broadband connectivity in Colombia.
Since the 1st of May 2019, Martha Suarez has been the President of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance DSA, a global organization advocating for laws and regulations that will lead to more efficient and effective spectrum utilization, which is essential to addressing key worldwide social and economic challenges.
Luigi Ardito is currently working as Director of government affairs for Europe, Middle East and North Africa at Qualcomm and drives the Qualcomm spectrum and regulatory policy agenda in Europe and MENA dealing with various government entities and industry organizations.
Prior to joining Qualcomm, Luigi worked for over a decade at Sony Corporation both in Japan and in the UK. Luigi also gained professional experience at France Telecom and at the Italian Public Broadcaster RAI.
Luigi has extensive experience in the Media and Telecom industry as well as the Semiconductor Industry gained through his assignments at Qualcomm, Sony, France Telecom and RAI. He holds an Electronic Engineering Degree gained at the Politecnico di Torino in Italy and a Master of Business Administration gained at the Henley Management College in the UK.
Erika Tejedor is Director of Government and Policy Advocacy at Ericsson and focuses on ensuring harmonized future spectrum availability for mobile globally, with focus on 5G and 6G. During her career, she has focused on spectrum from different perspectives: research, product development, 3GPP RAN4 and ETSI standardization as well as spectrum regulation. At the moment, Erika focuses on spectrum policy strategies, ITU-R activities and coordination of spectrum related work across the different regions. Erika graduated from the University of Zaragoza (Spain) and the Linköping University (Sweden) and holds a Master in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Wireless Communications.
Dr Guillaume Lebrun has been an active member of the spectrum community for more than 15 years, working for Orange, Qualcomm, Airbus and now Meta. Dr Lebrun contributed to key international spectrum projects such the opening of the 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi 6E and the 3.6 GHz for 5G.
Dr Lebrun is a member of the Global Connectivity Policy team at Meta where he is working on several spectrum initiatives to improve connectivity. Raising spectrum efficiency and availability is at the core of Guillaume’s mission.
Dr Lebrun holds an Engineering degree from ENST, Paris, France and a PhD in telecommunications from Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
Glyn Carter is Future Spectrum Director at the GSMA, where his main focus since joining in 2012 has been future use of spectrum. This has included preparatory work for WRC-15, WRC-19, WRC-23, and now WRC-27, including sharing and compatibility studies and other preparatory activities in ITU-R and CEPT. It also includes wider activities related to future spectrum for mobile broadband, including to make spectrum available for 5G and beyond, and work in ITU-R and CEPT on bands identified at previous WRCs.
Glyn has been involved in spectrum management for over 25 years. Prior to GSMA, this included working as a consultant for regulators in countries including the UK, South Africa, Sweden, Japan and Jordan. He has also worked for mobile operators in countries including the UK, Romania and Portugal, where his responsibilities included technology strategy, terminals and mobile data services, as well as regulatory activities and standards. Glyn has a BSc in mathematics and a PhD in cryptography from London University.
Natalia Vicente is the VP of Public Affairs at GSOA where she works closely with the Secretary General and the CEOs of ESOA Member companies to drive forward high-level advocacy for the satellite communications sector. Specifically, Natalia focuses on the Development Agenda working with international organisations to ensure nation states understand the value of leveraging available satellite communications services to bridge digital, education and health divides in their countries.
Natalia is also a Board Member of the European Internet Forum where she represents ESOA in front of Members of the European Parliament. Natalia has over a decade of experience in the digital sector, focusing on public policy, government relations and building international partnerships.
Before joining ESOA, Natalia worked for the European Telecommunications Network Operator’s (ETNO) working on public and regulatory affairs. Prior to that, she worked for Telefonica, Telecom Italia and TagTagCity, where she was one of the first employees involved in establishing a start-up venture providing mobile solutions to municipalities and local businesses in Belgium.
Natalia is a qualified lawyer with an LLM from the University Autonoma of Madrid and holds a Master of Business Administration specialised in Marketing. She is a Spanish national, lives in Brussels and speaks 4 languages.
Mindel De La Torre joined Omnispace LLC in April 2017 as Chief Regulatory and International Strategy Officer, where she heads up efforts to obtain market entry for the company’s non-geostationary satellite system. Before joining Omnispace, she was Chief of the International Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for over 7 years, where she managed a staff of 120 attorneys, engineers, economists, and international relations specialists. In that role, she led the FCC’s efforts internationally, both on a bilateral and multilateral basis. She oversaw the International Bureau’s functions with regard to licensing of international and domestic satellites, international telecommunications and broadcast, and submarine cables.
Ms. De La Torre was president of Telecommunications Management Group, Inc. (TMG), a consulting firm in the Washington DC area from 1998-2009. Her work at TMG included advising businesses, international organizations, and regulators on issues relevant to the liberalization and commercialization of the telecommunications sector, as well as spectrum resources.
She has had leadership positions on US delegations to ITU conferences, such as World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC), World Telecommunication Development Conferences, and Plenipotentiary Conferences. She has actively participated in regional telecommunications organizations, such as CITEL and APEC, as well as the OECD.
Ms. De La Torre has a BA from Vanderbilt University and a JD from the University of Texas. She is a member of the Texas Bar, and the Federal Communications Bar Association.
Stephen is a member of Vodafone’s Group Policy & Public Affairs team and has global responsibility for telecom network policy. This involves working with regional and national policymakers and regulators to create an environment that supports investment, innovation, and sustainable competition across fixed and mobile networks. He manages the company’s spectrum licensing activities across Europe and Africa, including all licence valuation, acquisition, and renewal activities.
Stephen studied Engineering at Cambridge and worked previously in the Japanese technology sector and internationally as a strategy consultant in the telecom and media sector.
Jaime Hjort is Head of Wireless and Spectrum Policy for Amazon. Previously she served as Vice President of Government Affairs at CTIA and worked as a staffer in the U.S. Congress, in the both the House of Representatives and the Senate, where she focused on telecommunications policy. Jaime earned her B.A. in Political Science from the George Washington University and her J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law.
Renate Nikolay is deputy director general at DG Connect. Before that, she was head of cabinet of Vera Jourova, the European commissioner for justice, consumers and gender equality. Before that, she led the Unit of interinstitutional and international relations in DG Justice between 2011 and 2014.
She has also been an advisor in the cabinet of the first High Representative and Vice President Catherine Ashton where she led on the relations with the European Parliament in setting up the European External Action Service (EEAS) and on relations with Asia, in particular China. Before that, she was a member of the cabinet of Trade Commissioners Peter Mandelson and Catherine Ashton from 2004 to 2009. She started her career in the European Commission in the department for trade in November 2003 dealing with the accession negotiations of Vietnam to the World Trade Organisation and with the trade policy committee with the member states.
Renate has also been a diplomat in the German Permanent Representation in Brussels and worked as private secretary to the German G8 sherpa in the German Ministry of Economics. Nikolay holds an M.A. as a Fulbright Scholar in Washington DC and a B.A. in law from the Free University in Berlin.
Tonko Obuljen is the BEREC Chair 2024. He was appointed as President of the Council of Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) in 2018 and is currently serving his second five-year mandate. Prior to the presidency, he served as Director of HAKOM from 2006 to 2009 and as a Member of HAKOM’s Council from 2009 to 2013. During the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union (2005-2013) he was a member of the Information Society working group and also served as a member of the drafting teams for the harmonization of Electronic Communications Act and bylaws with EU legislation. From 1993 to 2006, he worked in the Croatian electronic communications industry, mainly in microwave and satellite communications. He participated in developing the Croatian state aid programs for backhaul and access networks and in setting up current end-user protection ecosystem in Croatia. In 2020, Tonko Obuljen also served as a Vice-Chair of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications – BEREC.
Mr. Mario Maniewicz was re-elected for a second term as Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 in Bucharest, Romania. Mr Maniewicz was first elected Director of the Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He first took office on 1 January 2019.
Mario Maniewicz is an electronic engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with the ITU for over 30 years, where he has held various positions of responsibility in the Radiocommunication and Development Bureaux as well as in ITU Regional Offices.
– From 2014 to 2018, he was the Deputy Director of ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau (BR), where he assisted the Director of the BR, Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academia in the vital function of global management of the radiofrequency spectrum and satellite orbits. He also headed the Informatics, Administration and Publication Department, was the overall organizer of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) and played a key role in WRC-15 serving as the Secretary of the Conference.
– From 2011 to 2014, he was the Chief of the Infrastructure, Enabling Environment and E-Applications Department in ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), where he directed the assistance to developing countries in bridging the digital divide by promoting the use of ICT-based networks, services and applications, while ensuring the use of appropriate technologies to build or extend their information and communication infrastructure, as well as adapt to the rapidly changing telecommunication/ICT environment. He also led activities aimed at providing guidelines and tools for the development of policy and regulatory frameworks, financing policies and development strategies. These included promotion of pervasive broadband deployment, transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, spectrum management and monitoring, as well as well as other areas of ICT development such as deployment of telecommunication and IP-based networks and use of reliable and cost-effective ICT applications while enhancing cyber-security. In addition, he promoted access and use of telecommunications and ICTs for groups that have been marginalized in their access to current mainstream ICT services, including women, youth, indigenous people, persons with disabilities and people living in remote communities.
– From 2007 to 2011, he was the Chief of BDT’s Policies and Strategies Department, where he led the development of telecommunications and ICT policies and regulations to assist developing countries in promoting investment and enhancing their networks and services. He was also responsible for the organization of the Global Symposium for Regulators, and he enhanced the event by incorporating the Chief Regulatory Officers and the Regional Regulatory Associations meetings. He directed other activities in the policy and regulatory domain, as well as in the areas of ICT statistical data collection and analysis, Internet and IP networks development, and human capacity building.
– From 2000 to 2007, he was the Head of the BDT’s Human Capacity Building Division, where he designed strategies and implemented projects on training, human resources management and development, organizational development and managerial development for telecommunications. He also assisted governments, regulators and operators of developing countries in the definition of their organizational and managerial strategies and policies, the identification of their Human Resource and Organizational Development needs, including training of top-level managers in modern management and competitive transformation related aspects.
– From 1993 to 2000, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Brazil Regional Office, where he managed projects in various fields such as rural telecommunication development, frequency management and monitoring, transformation of the telecommunication sector, strengthening of regulatory agencies and transformation of telecommunication operators, among others. He also played a key role in the definition of policies and regulatory frameworks for the opening of the telecommunication sector to competition in the Americas Region.
– From 1990 to 1993, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Chile Area Office, where he managed projects for the modernization and reorganization of incumbent telecommunication operators in the Americas Region. He also attended to the sectorial development needs of the countries in the region.
– From 1988 to 1990, he was Regional Expert at ITU’s Field Office in Peru, where he was responsible for the assistance to operators and regulators in developing and implementing methodologies for production and delivery of modular training in telecommunications. He also provided assistance to the countries in the region in the preparation of their top managers to face the changes in the sector, such as convergence and competition.
– From 1987 to 1988, he was the Director of ANTEL (Telecommunications Operator of Uruguay) Training Centre.
– From 1985 to 1987, he was Telecommunication Engineer at ANTEL.
– From 1979 to 1985, he was Engineering Assistant at ANTEL.
– From 1984 to 1986, he was Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering of Uruguay’s Universidad de la República, for the chair of Electronics & Circuits, as well as for the chair of Circuits & Electric Measurements.
Mr. Maniewicz is married and he has two children. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.
The European Commission White Paper ‘How to master Europe’s digital infrastructure needs?’ was released earlier this year and contained key objectives of looking to create a Digital Single Market in Europe. Part of this involves a proposal for a more integrated governance at EU level for spectrum, including proposals to ‘Europeanise’ spectrum usage licenses for both mobile and satellite. This is not the first time that a proposal along these lines has been put forward, but it has once again placed into the spotlight the institutional structures involving key European level regulatory bodies and the relationship between these and member states. This session will explore what this may mean for the future governance of spectrum in Europe and whether there is a need to revisit the way in which key decisions on spectrum policy are taken. It will look at what the Commission are trying to achieve, whether the proposals that have been put forward are the best way to deliver this, and, particularly with the current Commission mandate set to end at the end of this year, what can be expected to be the next steps.
Amit specialises in advising on complex wireless transactions and strategy projects, including supporting mobile operators with spectrum valuation and regulators with the development and implementation of spectrum policy.
Amit has over 25 years of experience advising fixed and mobile operators, regulators/government bodies, financial institutions and equipment manufacturers on commercial, technical and regulatory issues. He has supported several multi-billion dollar M&A and debt financing transactions and has led numerous high-profile studies in the area of radio spectrum policy. Amit brings a global perspective to his work, having undertaken projects for clients in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
Amit holds an M.Sc. in Radio Frequency and Communications Engineering from the University of Bradford, UK and an M.B.A. from the University of Warwick, UK.
More information available shortly.
Chris is the Chairman of the ECC, CEPT. He is also Ofcom’s Director of International Spectrum Policy, where his responsibilities cover the UK’s international spectrum interests, especially in relation to the ITU, CEPT, and EU. He is a member of Ofcom’s Spectrum Executive Team and Strategy Steering Group.
Chris is active in various European spectrum committees and currently represents the UK on the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG). He has closely engaged for the UK on a number of key European and international spectrum initiatives and led the UK delegations to WRC-15 and WRC-12.
Before joining Ofcom, Chris worked in various UK Government Departments, including 6 years at Oftel, where he worked on different aspects of telecommunications regulation. Chris has a degree in mathematics and statistics from Manchester University.
ALEKSANDER SOŁTYSIK is an attaché for the telecommunication sector in the Permanent Representation of Poland to the European Union and represents Ministry of Digital Affairs in the Council of the European Union. The main responsibilities are matters regarding radio spectrum, gigabit infrastructure, artificial intelligence and Digital Decade. Currently he is the Chair of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group – a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy. He is also an outgoing co-rapporteur of the RSPG Working Group on Peer Review and Member State cooperation on authorizations and awards, which is responsible for annual reports on the implementation of the art. 35 of the European Electronic Communications Code. Aleksander was the Head of International Telecommunication Unit at the Ministry of Digital Affair, engaged in the International Telecommunication Union’s and CEPT matters, mainly focusing on the preparations for the World Radiocommunication Conferences. He was a Kosciuszko Foundation scholar at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University and hold a PhD degree from the Jagiellonian University in Cracow.
More information available shortly.
Natalia Vicente is the VP of Public Affairs at GSOA where she works closely with the Secretary General and the CEOs of ESOA Member companies to drive forward high-level advocacy for the satellite communications sector. Specifically, Natalia focuses on the Development Agenda working with international organisations to ensure nation states understand the value of leveraging available satellite communications services to bridge digital, education and health divides in their countries.
Natalia is also a Board Member of the European Internet Forum where she represents ESOA in front of Members of the European Parliament. Natalia has over a decade of experience in the digital sector, focusing on public policy, government relations and building international partnerships.
Before joining ESOA, Natalia worked for the European Telecommunications Network Operator’s (ETNO) working on public and regulatory affairs. Prior to that, she worked for Telefonica, Telecom Italia and TagTagCity, where she was one of the first employees involved in establishing a start-up venture providing mobile solutions to municipalities and local businesses in Belgium.
Natalia is a qualified lawyer with an LLM from the University Autonoma of Madrid and holds a Master of Business Administration specialised in Marketing. She is a Spanish national, lives in Brussels and speaks 4 languages.
Andy works for Cisco Wireless CTO office as an advisor on Wireless regulatory issues and has almost 30 years’ experience in Wireless industry.. He was previously with Ofcom (UK) representing the UK in various International Wireless regulatory and standardisation fora ITU-R, CEPT, EU, ETSI, IEEE 802 etc. This included in various roles sometimes heading UK delegations or as a Chairman and/or vice chair of various project teams and working groups of ITU/CEPT/ECC?ETSI working groups and project teams including WGFM, and project teams on Short Range Devices and various groups looking at RLAN harmonisation and co-existence issues.
Specialties: UK WT act primary and secondary legislation, European and International government liaison. various European and worldwide Wireless standards. Benefits and impact assessment, team leader, sharing analysis, project management.
Six months have now passed since the crucial World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) in Dubai. Stakeholders across Europe and globally have had time to reflect on the decisions that were taken on key agenda items, assess their impact, and consider the next steps. As regulators across Europe and globally face up to the challenge of delivering sufficient spectrum to both satisfy the growing demand for mobile broadband services and meet future requirements for the growth of satellite, WiFi, broadcast, and other key services, these WRC-23 outcomes will play a big part in shaping the future connectivity landscape both in the region and globally. This session will look in detail at the questions and answers that have come out of Dubai and what these mean for member states, European connectivity providers, and citizens, as well as their immediate and long-term connectivity objectives. With the first preparatory meeting for WRC-27 taking place in the week immediately following the conclusion of the WRC-23 discussions, it will also look at the issues that are set to dominate discussions over the next four years, both in Region 1 and internationally, and what this may mean for the development of the spectrum landscape across the European region.
Mr. Mario Maniewicz was re-elected for a second term as Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 in Bucharest, Romania. Mr Maniewicz was first elected Director of the Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He first took office on 1 January 2019.
Mario Maniewicz is an electronic engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with the ITU for over 30 years, where he has held various positions of responsibility in the Radiocommunication and Development Bureaux as well as in ITU Regional Offices.
– From 2014 to 2018, he was the Deputy Director of ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau (BR), where he assisted the Director of the BR, Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academia in the vital function of global management of the radiofrequency spectrum and satellite orbits. He also headed the Informatics, Administration and Publication Department, was the overall organizer of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) and played a key role in WRC-15 serving as the Secretary of the Conference.
– From 2011 to 2014, he was the Chief of the Infrastructure, Enabling Environment and E-Applications Department in ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), where he directed the assistance to developing countries in bridging the digital divide by promoting the use of ICT-based networks, services and applications, while ensuring the use of appropriate technologies to build or extend their information and communication infrastructure, as well as adapt to the rapidly changing telecommunication/ICT environment. He also led activities aimed at providing guidelines and tools for the development of policy and regulatory frameworks, financing policies and development strategies. These included promotion of pervasive broadband deployment, transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, spectrum management and monitoring, as well as well as other areas of ICT development such as deployment of telecommunication and IP-based networks and use of reliable and cost-effective ICT applications while enhancing cyber-security. In addition, he promoted access and use of telecommunications and ICTs for groups that have been marginalized in their access to current mainstream ICT services, including women, youth, indigenous people, persons with disabilities and people living in remote communities.
– From 2007 to 2011, he was the Chief of BDT’s Policies and Strategies Department, where he led the development of telecommunications and ICT policies and regulations to assist developing countries in promoting investment and enhancing their networks and services. He was also responsible for the organization of the Global Symposium for Regulators, and he enhanced the event by incorporating the Chief Regulatory Officers and the Regional Regulatory Associations meetings. He directed other activities in the policy and regulatory domain, as well as in the areas of ICT statistical data collection and analysis, Internet and IP networks development, and human capacity building.
– From 2000 to 2007, he was the Head of the BDT’s Human Capacity Building Division, where he designed strategies and implemented projects on training, human resources management and development, organizational development and managerial development for telecommunications. He also assisted governments, regulators and operators of developing countries in the definition of their organizational and managerial strategies and policies, the identification of their Human Resource and Organizational Development needs, including training of top-level managers in modern management and competitive transformation related aspects.
– From 1993 to 2000, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Brazil Regional Office, where he managed projects in various fields such as rural telecommunication development, frequency management and monitoring, transformation of the telecommunication sector, strengthening of regulatory agencies and transformation of telecommunication operators, among others. He also played a key role in the definition of policies and regulatory frameworks for the opening of the telecommunication sector to competition in the Americas Region.
– From 1990 to 1993, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Chile Area Office, where he managed projects for the modernization and reorganization of incumbent telecommunication operators in the Americas Region. He also attended to the sectorial development needs of the countries in the region.
– From 1988 to 1990, he was Regional Expert at ITU’s Field Office in Peru, where he was responsible for the assistance to operators and regulators in developing and implementing methodologies for production and delivery of modular training in telecommunications. He also provided assistance to the countries in the region in the preparation of their top managers to face the changes in the sector, such as convergence and competition.
– From 1987 to 1988, he was the Director of ANTEL (Telecommunications Operator of Uruguay) Training Centre.
– From 1985 to 1987, he was Telecommunication Engineer at ANTEL.
– From 1979 to 1985, he was Engineering Assistant at ANTEL.
– From 1984 to 1986, he was Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering of Uruguay’s Universidad de la República, for the chair of Electronics & Circuits, as well as for the chair of Circuits & Electric Measurements.
Mr. Maniewicz is married and he has two children. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.
Stephen is currently Head of International Spectrum Policy in the Spectrum Group in Ofcom (UK) and has been in that position for 9 years. He was the Deputy Head for the UK to CPM23-2 and WRC-23. Stephen has participated in the WRCs in 2012, 2015 and 2019 (in addition to the respective second CPM meetings).
Before his current position, he worked in the Ofcom team concerned with the UK spectrum award of the 10, 28, 32, and 40 GHz bands, in 2008. He also led a spectrum interference investigation team, during the London 2012 Olympics, with staff from the UK and several other CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications) administrations.
Stephen has recently been selected as the Chair of the CEPT Group for the WRC-27 period.
During the WRC-23 period Stephen was the Chair of the CEPT Group addressing agenda items related to Science Issues and the CEPT view on the agenda items for WRC-27 and was additionally elected as Vice Chair for the duration of the CEPT CPG-23 process.
Prior to this he served as a Vice Chair of the ECC Working Group for Frequency Management (WG-FM), between June 2014 and November 2020. Whilst in that role he also served as the Chair of the ECC project team addressing the potential for “Wi-Fi” and similar systems in the 5925 – 6425 MHz band, that was subject to a European Commission Mandate.
Stephen has had a diverse exposure to a wide variety of spectrum sectors and disciplines, under the WRC processes and of the harmonisation functions of ECC.
Stephen holds a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in electronic and electrical engineering and has been with Ofcom since its inception in December 2003. Before Ofcom, Stephen worked at the Radiocommunications Agency (the Government predecessor to Ofcom) in several posts: Radio Investigation and Monitoring, Satellite and Space Sciences and the International Regulation Team.
Stephen is married with a family. He enjoys home mechanics, motorcycles, electronics and home improvements.
Glyn Carter is Future Spectrum Director at the GSMA, where his main focus since joining in 2012 has been future use of spectrum. This has included preparatory work for WRC-15, WRC-19, WRC-23, and now WRC-27, including sharing and compatibility studies and other preparatory activities in ITU-R and CEPT. It also includes wider activities related to future spectrum for mobile broadband, including to make spectrum available for 5G and beyond, and work in ITU-R and CEPT on bands identified at previous WRCs.
Glyn has been involved in spectrum management for over 25 years. Prior to GSMA, this included working as a consultant for regulators in countries including the UK, South Africa, Sweden, Japan and Jordan. He has also worked for mobile operators in countries including the UK, Romania and Portugal, where his responsibilities included technology strategy, terminals and mobile data services, as well as regulatory activities and standards. Glyn has a BSc in mathematics and a PhD in cryptography from London University.
Peng is the Vice President of Policy & Regulatory at GSOA, where he leads advocacy efforts around spectrum management, licencing, and national policy initiatives. With experience in telecoms, mobile, and satellites, he has advised governments and industry players globally.
Previously at Eutelsat OneWeb, Peng shaped licencing frameworks for Low Earth Orbit constellations and satellite regulatory procedures for WRC-23. At GSMA, he ran a global campaign to improve spectrum licensing conditions for mobile operators, leading a global team of policy expert to engage with policymakers across developing markets.
Peng holds a Master’s in Telecommunication from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and an Executive MBA from London Business School. He speaks English, Mandarin, and French fluently.
Luigi Ardito is currently a member of the GSA Spectrum management team. He works as the Senior Director of Government Affairs EMEA at Qualcomm. He is leading Qualcomm spectrum and regulatory policy agenda in Europe, dealing with various government entities and industry organizations. He is also the Chairman of Digital Europe Spectrum Group.
Martha Suarez was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia. She received her degree as Electronics Engineer from the Universidad Industrial de Santander in 2004. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in an exchange program with the Ecole Superieure Chimie Physique Electronique de Lyon, France, in 2001. She received her master’s degree in high frequency communication systems from the University of Marne-la-Vallee, France, in 2006 and her Ph.D. degree from the University Paris-Est in 2009. She joined the department of Telecommunications and Signal Processing at the École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs en Électronique et Électrotechnique de Paris ESIEE and the Esycom Research Center, where she worked on wireless transmitter architectures. In 2011, she was awarded with a Marie Curie Fellowship and worked at the Instytut Technologii Elektronowej ITE in Poland for the Partnership for Cognitive Radio (Par4CR) European Project. Her research interests were in the areas of wireless system architectures and the design of high performance Radio Frequency (RF) transceivers.
In 2013, she joined the National Spectrum Agency in Colombia, ANE, where she worked as Senior Adviser to the General Director and supported the international activities of the Agency. Afterwards, in December 2015, she became the General Director of ANE and continued promoting the efficient use of the Spectrum and the mobile broadband connectivity in Colombia.
Since the 1st of May 2019, Martha Suarez has been the President of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance DSA, a global organization advocating for laws and regulations that will lead to more efficient and effective spectrum utilization, which is essential to addressing key worldwide social and economic challenges.
Vincent Sneed is Senior EU Policy Adviser at the European Broadcasting Union, the world’s leading alliance of public service media (PSM). He has worked there since the beginning of 2019. Previously, he worked for the Association of European Radios (AER) between 2006 and 2019.
At the EBU, he covers EU policy related to copyright and distribution, including spectrum-related rules.
He has worked on the European Electronic Communications Code, the UHF Decision, the preparation to the World Radiocommunication Conference, the Radio Spectrum Policy Programme, the DSM Copyright Directive, the NetCab Directive, the Collective Rights’ Management Directive, and other spectrum management, copyright, advertising and media-related dossiers.
He studied law in France, Spain and the Netherlands, and speaks French, English, Italian and Spanish.
The future of the upper 6GHz band has been hotly debated over the past few years. Recent discussions that took place at WRC-23 highlighted the very different opinions that still remain both at a regional and national level when considering the best solution for the band in the long-term. Across Europe and the rest of Region 1, the decision was taken to identify the entire 6425-7125MHz band for IMT, whilst at the same time including a footnote that recognises that this spectrum is used by wireless access systems such as Wi-Fi. Alongside this, the RSPG has started its work towards the Opinion on the upper 6 GHz long-term vision which is expected early in 2025, and work is ongoing in CEPT on technical studies from a number of different angles to explore the potential feasibility of sharing in the band. Against this backdrop, this session will look at the next steps and at the different approaches and mechanisms that are on the table as a possible solution. It will discuss the viability of each of these and explore whether sharing of some kind in the band is feasible and if it would represent the most appropriate use of spectrum, or if not, then what other options could be considered. Taking all this into account, it will look at the best approach to ensuring the interference free co-existence of mobile, WiFi, and incumbent services across the 6GHz band. What is the right choice for Europe in order to ensure that the economic value of this key spectrum is maximised both in the short and long term?
Richard is a journalist and analyst at PolicyTracker. He has written for local news outlets and writes on the publishing platform Medium. Richard is bilingual and fluent in English and German. He also maintains the 5G Observatory website, which is funded by the European Commission. He also covers various spectrum policy issues for Policy Tracker’s newsletter.
Richard has an undergraduate degree in Media & Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London.
Meta Pavšek Taškov received her BSEE and MSEE from University of Ljubljana, Slovenia in 1990 and 1993 respectively. First employment was 1989 in mixed research and development laboratory located at Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana as member of industry and employee of Iskra Hipot, Šentjernej.
Since 1995 she was employed at AKOS (Agency for communication networks and services of the Republic of Slovenia) which was at the time named as URST (Slovene Telecommunications Administration) in the RF Spectrum management department. 2012 and 2013 she was leading LTE project and was a Deputy of Tender Commission’s chairperson for 2014 Auction of frequency bands 800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz. Since 2016 she is head of Mobile department. She was a Deputy Head of Delegation at WRC-15, WRC-19 and at WRC-23 she was member of delegation. She chairs HCM – TWG since 2010, ECC PT1 DG 4 GHz since 2022 and RSPG Long-term vision for the upper 6 GHz band since March 2024. She was chairing ECC WGSE SE21 from 2013 to 2019 and ECC PT1 DG 40 GHz from 2020 to 2022. She is an active member of RSCom, RSPG WRC-23, ECC, CPG, ECC PT1, WGSE, SE21, HCM and member of CPG-PTA, CPG-PTB, CPG-PTD, SE45. Since 2017 she has supported projects in framework of Slovene 5G initiative and 700 MHz Multiband Auction, M2M Auction, BWA 10/12 GHz Auction, 2300/3600 MHz local Auction as well as other Auctions and assignments in accordance with Art.47 ZEKom-2.
Since 2024, Co-Chair of the RSPG Working Group delivering a long-term vision for the upper 6 GHz band.
Previously, Co-Chair of the RSPG Working Group, Peer Review.
Since 2014, German Representative in the RSC and ECC.
From 2010 to 2014, responsible for planning, concept development, and design of Internet access in the “Networks of the Federal Government,” including firewall systems, malware protection, content filtering, and botnet detection.
From 1999 to 2010, Project Manager at Verizon Business for Voice, Data, Internet, and Security Services.
Prior to that, I worked for a German Mobile Network Operator.
Andreas has a diploma in Electrical Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences Gelsenkirchen.
Jeppe Tanderup Kristensen is Chief Adviser at the Agency for Data Supply and Infrastructure, the Danish government agency in charge of spectrum management. His responsibilities include representing the interests of Denmark in the ITU, CEPT, and EU on spectrum matters, among others.
He was head of delegation for Denmark at WRC-23 and PP-22 and deputy head at WRC-19 and PP-18.
He has been a delegate to Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) since 2022.
Jeppe has, in his career with the agency, been involved in multiple spectrum auctions.
Jeppe holds an M.Sc. from the Technical University of Denmark.
Erika Tejedor is Director of Government and Policy Advocacy at Ericsson and focuses on ensuring harmonized future spectrum availability for mobile globally, with focus on 5G and 6G. During her career, she has focused on spectrum from different perspectives: research, product development, 3GPP RAN4 and ETSI standardization as well as spectrum regulation. At the moment, Erika focuses on spectrum policy strategies, ITU-R activities and coordination of spectrum related work across the different regions. Erika graduated from the University of Zaragoza (Spain) and the Linköping University (Sweden) and holds a Master in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Wireless Communications.
Detlef Fuehrer is the Senior Manager, Spectrum Management and Regulatory Affairs, EMEA in the CTO Office at Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company. His main responsibility is to set and drive HPE’s legislative & regulatory priorities for the radio spectrum in EMEA and to execute all aspects of HPE’s EMEA strategy.
Prior to Aruba, Detlef managed the Spectrum Engineering activities of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre where he established the Radio Spectrum Lab. Holding a diploma in Electronics Engineering from Dortmund University, he worked in the semiconductor industry for almost 20 years, predominantly in the communications domain, at Alcatel, Texas Instruments, and Hitachi Electronic Components. Detlef authored the first German-language expert book on ADSL and published numerous studies on spectrum sharing and wireless coexistence.
As the demands of our hyper-connected world outpace the availability of traditional spectrum, spectrum sharing of some kind is set to become increasingly part of the connectivity landscape. Europe has traditionally been slower than some other regions (US, Asia) when it comes to embracing sharing technologies, but there are signs of this changing, with a number of different innovative sharing approaches now being explored across different bands. This session will look at the increasing importance that spectrum sharing may play in meeting future connectivity requirements of technologies such as 6G and WiFi8, and how technological and regulatory advances may help models for sharing to evolve. It will explore different sharing models and techniques, including dynamic access, cognitive radio technologies, licensed shared access models, and unlicensed models like Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the US. It will discuss the role of regulators and governments in encouraging innovation and ensuring fair and efficient spectrum use, and overall, it will look at what needs to be done to ensure the delivery of flexible regulatory frameworks and policies can facilitate innovation and responsible spectrum sharing without stifling competition.
Matthew Newman is the global chief correspondent for MLex and writes about data protection, privacy, telecoms, cyber security, and artificial intelligence. Matthew began his journalism career in 1991 in community newspapers. He worked as a reporter in Riga, Latvia, in 1993 and then moved to Chicago, where he covered local news. In 1995, he became a personal finance reporter for Dow Jones Newswires, and was then transferred to Brussels in 1999. He specialized in EU regulatory affairs, including trade and telecom issues. He began covering competition for Bloomberg News as an EU court reporter in 2004. In 2010, he was named spokesman for Viviane Reding, the EU’s justice commissioner. In January 2012, he helped launch the commission’s proposal for overall data protection rules. He began working at MLex in April 2012 and has covered mergers, antitrust, and state-aid cases. He spent a year studying French, history, and communications in Grenoble, France, in 1988 and 1989 and is a graduate of Boston University with degrees in history and journalism. He earned a diploma in competition law from King’s College in 2016.
U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). She joined the FCC in 2019, having previously served as an Attorney Advisor in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Ms. Quinley leads a wide range of FCC spectrum proceedings, including the adoption of new rules governing direct connections from satellites to wireless devices and the oversight of the Citizens Broadband Radio Service. Ms. Quinley also plays a significant role in U.S. government interagency spectrum management, having served as the FCC representative to the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee, which advises NTIA on a broad range of spectrum policy issues, and having worked to update the FCC and NTIA’s Memorandum of Understanding on spectrum coordination processes.
David Willis has been appointed Group Director, Spectrum, bringing 30 years of technology and telecom experience in government and industry to the role. David joins Ofcom’s Senior Management Team.
He joined Ofcom to oversee its Spectrum Group, which ensures that the UK’s wireless spectrum – a valuable, finite national resource – is used efficiently and effectively.
Most recently David was President of the Communications Research Centre, the Government of Canada’s research centre for advanced wireless telecommunications, spectrum management and helping to improve broadband services for Canadians.
Before this David led the Spectrum Engineering and Planning team at Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada. Here his work included international spectrum standards; wireless spectrum engineering and planning; satellite spectrum policy, licensing and coordination; and leading the Canadian delegation at the 2019 World Radio Communication Conference.
David has also held leadership roles in product management, operations and engineering at BlackBerry and Nortel Networks.
Luigi Ardito is currently working as Director of government affairs for Europe, Middle East and North Africa at Qualcomm and drives the Qualcomm spectrum and regulatory policy agenda in Europe and MENA dealing with various government entities and industry organizations.
Prior to joining Qualcomm, Luigi worked for over a decade at Sony Corporation both in Japan and in the UK. Luigi also gained professional experience at France Telecom and at the Italian Public Broadcaster RAI.
Luigi has extensive experience in the Media and Telecom industry as well as the Semiconductor Industry gained through his assignments at Qualcomm, Sony, France Telecom and RAI. He holds an Electronic Engineering Degree gained at the Politecnico di Torino in Italy and a Master of Business Administration gained at the Henley Management College in the UK.
Jaime Hjort is Head of Wireless and Spectrum Policy for Amazon. Previously she served as Vice President of Government Affairs at CTIA and worked as a staffer in the U.S. Congress, in the both the House of Representatives and the Senate, where she focused on telecommunications policy. Jaime earned her B.A. in Political Science from the George Washington University and her J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law.
With more than 30 years of experience in electronics and telecommunications engineering, I am a dedicated professional with a passion for technological progress and interested in technology supporting societal evolution.
I held different roles in organisations engaged in a variety of fields: as a developer or being in charge of testing in companies producing medical or industrial computing or telecom systems, consumer electronics, service industry, or policy officer on contract with the European Commission, on the team in charge of the Radio Equipment Directive.
Since 2013, as consultant and EUCOMREG SRL company owner, I advise and represent my international clients in matters relating to the regulatory aspects of radio devices in the European Union.
More than 90% of the overall internet traffic and up to 80% of mobile traffic happens indoors. It is vitally important to ensure that seamless, high capacity, reliable, and low latency connectivity is available available for both consumer and industrial users across all indoor situations. However, the sheer variety of buildings, venues, use-cases and stakeholders makes achieving this a complex task. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. This session will explore the specific challenges faced in delivering gigabit indoor connectivity across various scenarios and at the different solutions that are available to tackle these. It will explore the role that different technologies such as 5G, Wi-Fi and fixed access (including FTTH) can play in addressing the diverse needs of indoor connectivity, and at how indoor connectivity fits within the broader scope of the Digital Decade connectivity objectives for 2030. It will explore the technical and economic challenges that have been holding back indoor connectivity to date, and at the different solutions that are available to tackle these and deliver the end user with the seamless connectivity solutions that they require.
Janette is one of Analysys Mason’s senior spectrum experts, with 25 years’ experience in radio engineering, wireless technologies, spectrum policy and spectrum management. Janette joined Analysys Mason in 2001, having previously worked for the UK Radiocommunications Agency (now Ofcom).
Janette’s expertise lies in mobile, wireless and broadband technologies and markets and her consulting experience includes advising on market developments in the wireless sector, wireless technology evolution, wireless business modelling, spectrum valuation, spectrum strategy, competition and regulation issues in the wireless market. She has worked with a wide range of public- and private-sector clients including national regulators, government departments, network operators, wireless industry trade associations, equipment vendors and telecoms users.
Her recent focus has been on 5G mobile and she has authored several published reports, including a study for Qualcomm and Ericsson on costs and benefits of 5G deployment in Europe, a study on 5G millimetre-wave deployment in Europe, reports for US industry body CTIA comparing 5G readiness in several world markets and a study on the benefits of cellular V2X technology for the 5GAA. Janette holds a BEng in Electronic Engineering from the University of Edinburgh, and an MSc in Radio Communications from the University of Bradford.
Davide Ferrari is a highly experienced manager, specializing in the delivery of IT services and the design of complex infrastructures, with a focus on IT Transformation and Cyber Security. Throughout his career, Davide has dedicated himself to these fields, utilizing his deep knowledge to foster innovation and enhance operational efficiency in IT environments.
Dr Guillaume Lebrun has been an active member of the spectrum community for more than 15 years, working for Orange, Qualcomm, Airbus and now Meta. Dr Lebrun contributed to key international spectrum projects such the opening of the 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi 6E and the 3.6 GHz for 5G.
Dr Lebrun is a member of the Global Connectivity Policy team at Meta where he is working on several spectrum initiatives to improve connectivity. Raising spectrum efficiency and availability is at the core of Guillaume’s mission.
Dr Lebrun holds an Engineering degree from ENST, Paris, France and a PhD in telecommunications from Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
Francis Keshmiri (Ph.D.) is a distinguished Home Network Expert at Huawei Technologies France, where he leads the antenna systems and propagation modeling research team for advanced distributed home solutions. In this role, he also stablishes collaborative research projects with European institutes and research centers and supervises master’s and PhD students in partnership with European universities, consistently focusing on innovative antenna solutions and developments. His research has led to several publications, as well as productization of antenna systems for Fiber-to-the-Room (FTTR) technology .
As a delegate member representing Huawei, Francis actively contributes to several key standardization groups, including IEEE, ETSI, and ITU-T, aiming to develop new standardization contributions to allow ultra-high reliable and ingenious connectivity, especially on fixed/fiber and wireless mechanisms.
Prior to joining Huawei, Francis gained extensive experience designing and testing wireless products with dynamic features across multiple European enterprises and international stakeholders. His expertise spans certification, mass production, cost optimization, and product deployment. He has built a strong reputation for his work in disruptive telecom technologies, including human electromagnetic exposure, radiation measurements, and automotive connectivity.
Francis’s areas of interest include Wi-Fi sub-7 GHz and mmWave antennas, beam switching and steering techniques, indoor propagation modeling, multi-antenna systems, and the industrialization and commercialization of wireless products and solutions. His commitment to advancing telecom technology is reflected in his substantial contributions to the field.
Stephen is Vodafone’s Group Public Policy Head of Spectrum and is responsible for managing the company’s spectrum and licensing policy across its 26 operating companies in Europe and AMAP. This includes setting the strategy for meeting the future needs of the business, engaging with national and regional regulators to shape policy, and managing spectrum licence valuation, acquisition and renewal activities. Stephen studied Engineering at Cambridge and worked previously in the Japanese technology sector and as a strategy consultant in the international telecommunications and media sector.
Traditionally, spectrum management has always been handled by humans and has been a manual and time-consuming process. With the increasingly complex and crowded ecosystem that is being seen today, the job of the spectrum manager is becoming increasingly complicated. With regulators and connectivity providers around the world continually on the lookout for more efficient and intelligent spectrum management, this interactive discussion will explore the potential that AI and machine learning could play in automating tasks, enhancing efficiency, and optimising both allocation and network performance. Will AI be the death knell for traditional spectrum managers?
Amit specialises in advising on complex wireless transactions and strategy projects, including supporting mobile operators with spectrum valuation and regulators with the development and implementation of spectrum policy.
Amit has over 25 years of experience advising fixed and mobile operators, regulators/government bodies, financial institutions and equipment manufacturers on commercial, technical and regulatory issues. He has supported several multi-billion dollar M&A and debt financing transactions and has led numerous high-profile studies in the area of radio spectrum policy. Amit brings a global perspective to his work, having undertaken projects for clients in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
Amit holds an M.Sc. in Radio Frequency and Communications Engineering from the University of Bradford, UK and an M.B.A. from the University of Warwick, UK.
Cameron has a wide range of experience in areas including network cost modelling, transaction support, and spectrum policy/management, working on behalf of both telecoms regulators and operators.
Cameron has particular expertise in the area of spectrum management and has supported clients ahead of many spectrum awards and transactions. He has led multiple projects for operators on topics including spectrum strategy, spectrum valuation, and bidding strategy, as well as supporting regulators with issues such as spectrum award design. In addition, he has contributed to several white papers and expert witness reports on major spectrum management issues. Cameron is also active in the area of regulation, having supported regulators with high-profile studies on topics such as number portability and pricing of regulated wholesale services.
Cameron has an MSci degree in Chemistry from Imperial College London, during which he spent a year at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, USA.
A highly committed and proven consulting professional helping businesses understand the use and implementation of wireless technology. Joined LS telcom in June 2016 to support the growth of the consulting business in the UK and raise awareness of the LS telcom brand.
Expert in writing proposals, winning new clients, and overall business growth with knowledge and expertise of the globally changing world of wireless. He spent 7 years at Ofcom in the UK, involved in many different facets of spectrum management. Saul can bring a fresh outlook on how businesses can benefit from the implementation and deployment of wireless systems, including the adoption of new technologies, procurement of spectrum, and adaptation to new regulations.
Co-author of a number of technical reports for clients. Recent assignments have included work for the European Commission on the socio-economic impacts of 5G in Europe and the regulatory implications of license-exempt use in Europe.
Developed a good understanding of the latest technologies and the rollout of LTE, HSPA+, and DC-HSPA+ devices. Saul has also developed a growing knowledge of Wi-Fi, white space devices, and the commercial and regulatory implications across the industry.
An accomplished business development manager who has helped establish and win new clients by writing successful proposals followed by professional execution and delivery.
Saul has a very good understanding of radio systems, spectrum engineering, and telecommunications projects, with specific experience and knowledge of technical policy and regulatory projects.
Specialties: Business development, pre-sales, RF spectrum planning , advice on regulatory aspects of radio spectrum, knowledge of multiple mobile technologies e.g. GSM, UMTS & LTE Wi-Fi. In addition to DVB-T, DAB, and FM planning. Project management of multi-disciplinary projects for regulators, vendors, and operators International frequency coordination and harmonised standards Demand analysis for cellular mobile capacity.
At the end of the session, the audience will be asked to vote:
Will AI be the death knell for traditional spectrum managers?
The 470-694 MHz (sub-700MHz) band is the core band for DTT broadcast services and for audio Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE). IMT however, also see it as an important band to expand coverage of networks, and with this in mind, its future has been widely discussed in Europe over recent years. At WRC-23, a decision was taken to protect broadcast services as the exclusive primary user in the band for the foreseeable future, whilst adding a secondary allocation for the mobile services. Further amendments to the band will not be on the agenda in Europe for WRC-27 and won’t be looked at again until 2031. In addition, last year, the RSPG released an opinion on the future use of the band beyond 2030 in the EU, which included a recommendation to find a solution that preserves sufficient spectrum for audio PMSE. Against the backdrop of the decisions and recommendations that have now been taken on the sub-700MHz band, this session will explore what this means for the future use of this spectrum and of those services that use it. With the short-term future settled, this session will explore what this new-found security means for the future of broadcasting and PMSE services in Europe, both in the short and long term. It will look at how innovative new technologies and approaches could be set to shape the future of the broadcast and PMSE sectors, the way in which content is produced and delivered, and the spectrum that is required in order to meet these needs.
Yasmine Frizlen is an Economist at NERA, a leading economic consultancy that has been involved in spectrum policy for over 35 years. Yasmine has supported regulators and private companies on all five continents, with projects involving the design and implementation of spectrum auctions, valuation and pricing of radio spectrum, legal disputes involving spectrum, and studies on the application of economics to spectrum management. She co-authored a chapter on spectrum pricing in NERA’s new book: Round-by-Round: Learnings form the First 35 Years of Spectrum Auctions.
Yasmine holds a MSc in Economics degree from the London School of Economics, United Kingdom.
Umberto Mascia is currently co-chair of the RSPG working group on ‘Assessment of future usage of the frequency band 470-694 MHz within the EU’.
He works for MIMIT (Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy) as Director of the office that deals with radio spectrum technical regulation and related international activities within ITU, CEPT and the European Union, as well as maintaining and updating the Italian NTFA.
His background includes a degree in Telecommunications Engineering and a PhD in Information and Communications Engineering. He spent almost 20 years in the private sector and in applied research, spanning several application fields (e.g. satellite, telecommunications, automotive, environmental monitoring, Software Defined Radio, GNSS-based railway traffic control). He then moved to the public sector, initially in the IT staff of the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance, before being appointed to his current position at MIMIT in 2020.
Jonas Wessel is Director of the Resource Management Department at the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS). He is also Chair of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) for the 2018-2019 period. The RSPG is a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy. JMr Wessel holds a MSC from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Industrial Engineering and Management. He started his professional career as a strategy consultant, working mainly with business development in the telecoms and IT-sector.
In 2003, Mr Jonas joined the PTS as advisor on radio spectrum policy issues. After several positions within the Agency, including responsibility for auctions, he was assigned Director of the Spectrum Department in 2014. Jonas has been one of the driving forces behind the transformation of spectrum management in Sweden and has also been working with these issues internationally, mainly through the RSPG where he has been a delegate since 2004. He was Vice Chairman of the RSPG for the 2016-2017 period.
Martin Brock is Shure’s Senior Manager, Global Regulatory Policy. Based in London, he contributes to Shure’s efforts to advocate on behalf of the audio PMSE (Programme Making & Special Events) industry on spectrum regulatory issues in the UK, Europe, and India, as well as emerging global cybersecurity and AI regulation. Before joining Shure, Martin spent 20 years within the Spectrum Group of UK regulator Ofcom, including responsibility for PMSE spectrum policy and several years serving as Secretary to FM PT51, CEPT’s project team for PMSE frequency management. Having also worked on dynamic spectrum access and with spectrum database providers, he maintains an interest in innovative approaches to spectrum sharing, which included project managing Ofcom’s introduction of sharing by low-power audio PMSE with aeronautical radionavigation services in the 960 MHz band.
Ulrich holds a diploma degree in Electrical Engineering of Technical University of Munich, Germany, and one in Industrial Engineering of Fernuniversität Hagen, Germany. Of his 30+ years of professional experience in Siemens, Nokia Siemens Networks, and Nokia, he spent 15+ years in R&D, business strategy, system architecture, and product management of mobile radio network systems covering GSM, EDGE, UMTS, Flash OFDM, WiMAX, LTE, and 5G. Since 2011, he is responsible for spectrum policy at Nokia within the Strategy & Technology organisation. Ulrich is vice chair of the DIGITALEUROPE spectrum working group in Brussels and the BITKOM spectrum working group in Germany.
The speed of evolution that has been seen recently in the space sector presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges for spectrum management. One area that is seeing significant interest is in direct-to-device connectivity (D2D) and the introduction of hybrid networks seeing non-terrestrial connectivity supplementing existing mobile services. This rise in D2D connectivity demands innovative solutions for spectrum allocation, with a number of different approaches being considered in order to update current regulatory frameworks at both national and ITU levels to handle the different connectivity models that are being seen today. In addition and more broadly, NGSO mega constellations are becoming increasingly commonplace, meaning that policymakers must grapple with ensuring these systems coexist effectively with traditional GSO satellites. This session will examine the current landscape of satellite spectrum access both relating to D2D connectivity and more generally, identify areas for revision, and explore ongoing efforts towards modernising these frameworks. It will explore how regulatory approaches around the world are evolving to adapt to the dynamic space environment and look at how the best approach can be taken in Europe in order to allow all emerging and existing technologies to thrive.
Since joining Analysys Mason in 2014, Chris has developed particular expertise in wireless technologies and spectrum, as well as cost modelling and geo-analysis for telecoms networks. Chris has worked on a large range of spectrum projects, such as valuation and auction strategy for mobile spectrum, including costing of coverage obligations, 5G and 6G spectrum analysis (assessing bands from 400MHz to sub-THz), and spectrum projects for non-mobile telecoms technologies including satellite, microwave links, PPDR and many others. Chris maintains the company’s Spectrum Auction Tracker, a database of concluded and planned mobile spectrum auctions. He has experience in cost modelling developing long-run incremental cost (LRIC) models (for both fixed and mobile networks) in a number of markets around the world, as well as modelling the cost (and benefit) of 5G deployment. Chris also has extensive experience of geographic information systems (GIS) modelling for telecoms analysis in a range of contexts.
Chris joined Analysys Mason after graduating with a first-class MSc in Physics from the University of Cambridge.
Eric Fournier is currently Director for Spectrum Planning and International Affairs in the Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR), the French public agency in charge of spectrum management (www.anfr.fr).
In this capacity, he is responsible for preparing the revisions of the French national table of spectrum allocation and for coordinating French positions in international meetings and conferences on spectrum within ITU, CEPT and EU. He was deputy head of the French delegation for RRC-06, WRC-07, WRC-12, WRC-15, WRC-19 and WRC-23.
He was chairman of the RSPG, a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy, for the cycle 2022-23.
He has been involved in all discussions on major evolutions of spectrum in Europe and was Chairman of the Electronic Communication Committee (CEPT/ECC) from 2013 to 2018 and of the European Conference Preparatory Group for the World Radiocommunications Conference 2012 (CPG-12).
Eric is a graduate telecom engineer from SUPELEC (France).
After a state exam in law at the University of Osnabrück, Mr Kühn has been working since 1998 in the area of legal internship (e.g. at Regional Court) of the Federal Network Agency Germany; changing to National and International Spectrum Regulation on different levels in 2005. Nowadays, he is the Deputy Head of Section for International Affairs and Utilization Concepts. His responsibilities cover strategic frequency utilization concepts and the transposition of those to the international level of CEPT, EU and ITU. Doing this and having been active in the preparation of three WRC’s, on national and on CEPT CPG level, Mr Kühn participated in a number of international Groups, also as Head of the German Delegation. He has also chaired several groups and subgroups in the ITU and CEPT.
Since 2005, he has been responsible for the German preparation of the WRC’s and served as CEPT CPG Vice Chairman from 2010 to 2013. Mr Kühn was appointed Chairman of CPG in June 2013.
Electrical engineer with expertise in satellite and terrestrial radio communications technologies. Skilled in directing technical engineering examinations on spectrum management issues and electromagnetic compatibility of communications systems. Author of many international technical documents and position papers.
Experienced in international and domestic radio frequency spectrum management committees, policy negotiations and policy decision making.
Proven ability to provide assistance and advice on radiocommunication issues that may have national or international impact on communication systems.
Mindel De La Torre joined Omnispace LLC in April 2017 as Chief Regulatory and International Strategy Officer, where she heads up efforts to obtain market entry for the company’s non-geostationary satellite system. Before joining Omnispace, she was Chief of the International Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for over 7 years, where she managed a staff of 120 attorneys, engineers, economists, and international relations specialists. In that role, she led the FCC’s efforts internationally, both on a bilateral and multilateral basis. She oversaw the International Bureau’s functions with regard to licensing of international and domestic satellites, international telecommunications and broadcast, and submarine cables.
Ms. De La Torre was president of Telecommunications Management Group, Inc. (TMG), a consulting firm in the Washington DC area from 1998-2009. Her work at TMG included advising businesses, international organizations, and regulators on issues relevant to the liberalization and commercialization of the telecommunications sector, as well as spectrum resources.
She has had leadership positions on US delegations to ITU conferences, such as World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC), World Telecommunication Development Conferences, and Plenipotentiary Conferences. She has actively participated in regional telecommunications organizations, such as CITEL and APEC, as well as the OECD.
Ms. De La Torre has a BA from Vanderbilt University and a JD from the University of Texas. She is a member of the Texas Bar, and the Federal Communications Bar Association.
Stephen is Vodafone’s Group Public Policy Head of Spectrum and is responsible for managing the company’s spectrum and licensing policy across its 26 operating companies in Europe and AMAP. This includes setting the strategy for meeting the future needs of the business, engaging with national and regional regulators to shape policy, and managing spectrum licence valuation, acquisition and renewal activities. Stephen studied Engineering at Cambridge and worked previously in the Japanese technology sector and as a strategy consultant in the international telecommunications and media sector.
Over the last decade and more, spectrum auctions have been a favoured method of regulators in Europe in order to allocate spectrum and the available bandwidth in a way which delivers competitive, innovative markets. Critics of standard ‘cash-based’ auctions, however, say that they can sometimes be seen by Governments as cash cows to replenish public finances, and that at a time in which MNOs are seeing revenues falling and Europe is arguably falling behind in terms of investment in network infrastructure (particularly in rural areas, which are often uneconomical to serve), there is increasingly a view that alternative approaches could be considered. At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona earlier this year, both Commissioner Breton and the CEOs of 4 large telcos separately endorsed the idea of ‘cashless’ spectrum auctions designed not to reward the highest bidder but the operator, which commits to investing more and faster in network roll-out. Against this backdrop, this session will explore the future of spectrum auctions, awards and licence renewals both in the near term future, and also longer term as we move towards the 6G era. It will explore the different options that may be available to regulators in order to leverage licence awards and renewals to increase coverage and how so-called ‘cashless’ auctions and other mechanisms such as beauty contests and coverage obligations could work in practice. Are auctions still the right tool for spectrum allocation, and if so, what formats are appropriate for the future of 5G and beyond?
Yasmine Frizlen is an Economist at NERA, a leading economic consultancy that has been involved in spectrum policy for over 35 years. Yasmine has supported regulators and private companies on all five continents, with projects involving the design and implementation of spectrum auctions, valuation and pricing of radio spectrum, legal disputes involving spectrum, and studies on the application of economics to spectrum management. She co-authored a chapter on spectrum pricing in NERA’s new book: Round-by-Round: Learnings form the First 35 Years of Spectrum Auctions.
Yasmine holds a MSc in Economics degree from the London School of Economics, United Kingdom.
Yasmine Frizlen is an Economist at NERA, a leading economic consultancy that has been involved in spectrum policy for over 35 years. Yasmine has supported regulators and private companies on all five continents, with projects involving the design and implementation of spectrum auctions, valuation and pricing of radio spectrum, legal disputes involving spectrum, and studies on the application of economics to spectrum management. She co-authored a chapter on spectrum pricing in NERA’s new book: Round-by-Round: Learnings form the First 35 Years of Spectrum Auctions.
Yasmine holds a MSc in Economics degree from the London School of Economics, United Kingdom.
Stefan Zehle is the MBA, Chairman, and CEO of Coleago Consulting. He has 28 years of experience in telecoms gained as a Director of a Mobile Operating company and as a specialist telecoms management consultant. He has worked in developed markets in Europe, Canada, the US, and also in emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East. As the 2nd person on the ground, he played a pivotal role in launching Nedjma, the 3rd Algerian mobile operator. Stefan has worked on over 70 mobile licence bids and spectrum valuation projects. Co-author of the Economist’s Guide to Business Planning.
Roberto Rodriguez Dorrego is Head of Spectrum Strategy in Telefonica Group, where he is responsible for the supervision of the spectrum processes in Telefonica footprint: defining the spectrum strategy and policy, leading spectrum valuation, preparing bidding strategy and auction governance.
He has coordinated and been involved in the work towards the spectrum auctions in Spain 2016 (sealed bid), Mexico 2016 (CCA), Peru 2016 & 2013 (sealed bid), Germany 2015 (SMRA), Brazil 2014 (Sequential Ascending), Argentina 2014, Chile 2013 (sealed bid/beauty contest) including spectrum valuation, auction rules, governance and bidding strategy. He also defines, in coordination with regulatory and technology teams, Telefonica’s Spectrum Policy positions. He has recently been appointed as Chairman of the GSMA’s Spectrum Strategy Management Group.
Mr, Rodriguez has participated actively in the ITU work to identify new spectrum for mobile services in WRC-15, WRC-12, and WRC-07, as well as in WP5D, JTG-4567, SG5 and CEPT work. He has been working in Spectrum for more than 20 years, mainly in the areas of Spectrum Policy, Spectrum Strategy, Spectrum Auctions Strategy and Spectrum Technology. Previously he held several positions in network strategy, spectrum technology and spectrum engineering.
Stefan Zehle is the MBA, Chairman, and CEO of Coleago Consulting. He has 28 years of experience in telecoms gained as a Director of a Mobile Operating company and as a specialist telecoms management consultant. He has worked in developed markets in Europe, Canada, the US, and also in emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East. As the 2nd person on the ground, he played a pivotal role in launching Nedjma, the 3rd Algerian mobile operator. Stefan has worked on over 70 mobile licence bids and spectrum valuation projects. Co-author of the Economist’s Guide to Business Planning.
Roberto Rodriguez Dorrego is Head of Spectrum Strategy in Telefonica Group, where he is responsible for the supervision of the spectrum processes in Telefonica footprint: defining the spectrum strategy and policy, leading spectrum valuation, preparing bidding strategy and auction governance.
He has coordinated and been involved in the work towards the spectrum auctions in Spain 2016 (sealed bid), Mexico 2016 (CCA), Peru 2016 & 2013 (sealed bid), Germany 2015 (SMRA), Brazil 2014 (Sequential Ascending), Argentina 2014, Chile 2013 (sealed bid/beauty contest) including spectrum valuation, auction rules, governance and bidding strategy. He also defines, in coordination with regulatory and technology teams, Telefonica’s Spectrum Policy positions. He has recently been appointed as Chairman of the GSMA’s Spectrum Strategy Management Group.
Mr, Rodriguez has participated actively in the ITU work to identify new spectrum for mobile services in WRC-15, WRC-12, and WRC-07, as well as in WP5D, JTG-4567, SG5 and CEPT work. He has been working in Spectrum for more than 20 years, mainly in the areas of Spectrum Policy, Spectrum Strategy, Spectrum Auctions Strategy and Spectrum Technology. Previously he held several positions in network strategy, spectrum technology and spectrum engineering.
Work has started in earnest on planning for the future roll-out of 6G services across the EU and on considering options for the key bands that will form the basis of this as the initial primary and pioneer bands for services. Three bands have been identified to be studied for potential IMT identification ahead of WRC-27 studied for this – 4400 – 4800 MHz; 7125 – 8500 MHz and 14.8 – 15.35 GHz, but each of these poses potential challenges when it comes to making the required spectrum available. Not least, they are all currently harmonised NATO bands for military use. Against this backdrop, this session will look at the current state of play across Europe when it comes to starting work on the development of a spectrum roadmap for 6G. It will discuss the challenges that would need to be overcome in order to roll out 6G services, and in the case of new bands, how the needs of 6G can be balanced both with those of incumbent services in the bands, and with the those of other evolving future connectivity technologies. Taking into account the technical requirements for the 6G spectrum, potential applications for 6G, and the regulatory processes for allocating spectrum in Europe, it will discuss the best way forward to deliver the spectrum that is required for the future success of 6G.
An engineer with broad experience in the telecoms and technology sectors, Andy has a particular interest in spectrum (auctions and valuation) and the impact of new technology (5G, AI, IoT and Big Data). He brings a deep understanding of both the industry and regulatory perspectives around the world through his role as Head of Policy for the GSMA and as Director of Spectrum Policy at Ofcom.
Andy spent 12 years at Vodafone, where he held various senior product development and corporate strategy roles. As Head of Spectrum, he was responsible for managing spectrum policy and auctions across the Vodafone Group. He led over twenty spectrum auctions around the world (including Turkey, Italy, Germany, India, Spain, Italy, Greece, Australia, Romania, NL and UK) from strategy/business case development to Plc. Board level sign-off and in-country implementation.
He was formerly a management consultant, has launched an internet payments and encryption company and worked as a research scientist at Sharp Laboratories of Europe and Sony Corporation, based in Japan. He has a doctorate in Engineering Science from Oxford University and an MBA. He is a frequent invited speaker at international conferences.
Dr. Heidi Himmanen is a Chief Adviser at the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. Her tasks include promoting the uptake of wireless communications, especially 5G, in different sectors, such as transport, cities, and industry. The work includes supporting R&D and innovation and bridging the needs of the spectrum users with the development work in spectrum management. Heidi has previously worked as Head of Spectrum Supervision and Head of Radio Networks Unit at Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (today Traficom).
She holds a D.Sc. (Tech.) degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Turku, Finland, and an M.Sc. (Tech.) degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Helsinki University of Technology (today Aalto University), Finland.
More information available shortly.
Started as a CIS Officer in the Polish Air Force serving at different military radiolocation and aviation units. In 2008, he started serving at Frequency Management Military Office in Poland. First heading the department responsible for frequency management, then the frequency policy and planing department. Since 2017, Director of Frequency Management Military Office. During this period, he was a permanent member of the Polish delegation within the work of ECC and WGFM, as well as during the WRC’s (during WRC-19, deputy head of the Polish delegation). In 2023 joined the NATO Headquarters C3 Staff, as Principal Engineer responsible for Spectrum Policy. In this capacity directly involved in developing, supporting and coordinating policy development and advice on radio spectrum management issues within the Alliance to ensure essential military access to radio frequency spectrum. Moreover, also provides and coordinates necessary liaison and consultation with the appropriate international Bodies and organisations dealing with radio-communications and radio-frequency spectrum management matters, in particular the constituent Bodies of the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) and their sub-structure.
Mirela Andouard is Senior Spectrum Standardization Specialist in Nokia’s Strategy & Technology team, contributing to the definition and execution of the Nokia spectrum strategy and engaging with customers, regulators, and ecosystem partners worldwide on spectrum matters. She handles aspects ranging from technical analysis and recommendations for policies and standards related to spectrum management for mobile technologies to shaping harmonized regulatory frameworks on spectrum matters in Europe and worldwide.
Renate Nikolay is deputy director general at DG Connect. Before that, she was head of cabinet of Vera Jourova, the European commissioner for justice, consumers and gender equality. Before that, she led the Unit of interinstitutional and international relations in DG Justice between 2011 and 2014.
She has also been an advisor in the cabinet of the first High Representative and Vice President Catherine Ashton where she led on the relations with the European Parliament in setting up the European External Action Service (EEAS) and on relations with Asia, in particular China. Before that, she was a member of the cabinet of Trade Commissioners Peter Mandelson and Catherine Ashton from 2004 to 2009. She started her career in the European Commission in the department for trade in November 2003 dealing with the accession negotiations of Vietnam to the World Trade Organisation and with the trade policy committee with the member states.
Renate has also been a diplomat in the German Permanent Representation in Brussels and worked as private secretary to the German G8 sherpa in the German Ministry of Economics. Nikolay holds an M.A. as a Fulbright Scholar in Washington DC and a B.A. in law from the Free University in Berlin.
Tonko Obuljen is the BEREC Chair 2024. He was appointed as President of the Council of Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) in 2018 and is currently serving his second five-year mandate. Prior to the presidency, he served as Director of HAKOM from 2006 to 2009 and as a Member of HAKOM’s Council from 2009 to 2013. During the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union (2005-2013) he was a member of the Information Society working group and also served as a member of the drafting teams for the harmonization of Electronic Communications Act and bylaws with EU legislation. From 1993 to 2006, he worked in the Croatian electronic communications industry, mainly in microwave and satellite communications. He participated in developing the Croatian state aid programs for backhaul and access networks and in setting up current end-user protection ecosystem in Croatia. In 2020, Tonko Obuljen also served as a Vice-Chair of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications – BEREC.
Mr. Mario Maniewicz was re-elected for a second term as Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 in Bucharest, Romania. Mr Maniewicz was first elected Director of the Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He first took office on 1 January 2019.
Mario Maniewicz is an electronic engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with the ITU for over 30 years, where he has held various positions of responsibility in the Radiocommunication and Development Bureaux as well as in ITU Regional Offices.
– From 2014 to 2018, he was the Deputy Director of ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau (BR), where he assisted the Director of the BR, Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academia in the vital function of global management of the radiofrequency spectrum and satellite orbits. He also headed the Informatics, Administration and Publication Department, was the overall organizer of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) and played a key role in WRC-15 serving as the Secretary of the Conference.
– From 2011 to 2014, he was the Chief of the Infrastructure, Enabling Environment and E-Applications Department in ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), where he directed the assistance to developing countries in bridging the digital divide by promoting the use of ICT-based networks, services and applications, while ensuring the use of appropriate technologies to build or extend their information and communication infrastructure, as well as adapt to the rapidly changing telecommunication/ICT environment. He also led activities aimed at providing guidelines and tools for the development of policy and regulatory frameworks, financing policies and development strategies. These included promotion of pervasive broadband deployment, transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, spectrum management and monitoring, as well as well as other areas of ICT development such as deployment of telecommunication and IP-based networks and use of reliable and cost-effective ICT applications while enhancing cyber-security. In addition, he promoted access and use of telecommunications and ICTs for groups that have been marginalized in their access to current mainstream ICT services, including women, youth, indigenous people, persons with disabilities and people living in remote communities.
– From 2007 to 2011, he was the Chief of BDT’s Policies and Strategies Department, where he led the development of telecommunications and ICT policies and regulations to assist developing countries in promoting investment and enhancing their networks and services. He was also responsible for the organization of the Global Symposium for Regulators, and he enhanced the event by incorporating the Chief Regulatory Officers and the Regional Regulatory Associations meetings. He directed other activities in the policy and regulatory domain, as well as in the areas of ICT statistical data collection and analysis, Internet and IP networks development, and human capacity building.
– From 2000 to 2007, he was the Head of the BDT’s Human Capacity Building Division, where he designed strategies and implemented projects on training, human resources management and development, organizational development and managerial development for telecommunications. He also assisted governments, regulators and operators of developing countries in the definition of their organizational and managerial strategies and policies, the identification of their Human Resource and Organizational Development needs, including training of top-level managers in modern management and competitive transformation related aspects.
– From 1993 to 2000, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Brazil Regional Office, where he managed projects in various fields such as rural telecommunication development, frequency management and monitoring, transformation of the telecommunication sector, strengthening of regulatory agencies and transformation of telecommunication operators, among others. He also played a key role in the definition of policies and regulatory frameworks for the opening of the telecommunication sector to competition in the Americas Region.
– From 1990 to 1993, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Chile Area Office, where he managed projects for the modernization and reorganization of incumbent telecommunication operators in the Americas Region. He also attended to the sectorial development needs of the countries in the region.
– From 1988 to 1990, he was Regional Expert at ITU’s Field Office in Peru, where he was responsible for the assistance to operators and regulators in developing and implementing methodologies for production and delivery of modular training in telecommunications. He also provided assistance to the countries in the region in the preparation of their top managers to face the changes in the sector, such as convergence and competition.
– From 1987 to 1988, he was the Director of ANTEL (Telecommunications Operator of Uruguay) Training Centre.
– From 1985 to 1987, he was Telecommunication Engineer at ANTEL.
– From 1979 to 1985, he was Engineering Assistant at ANTEL.
– From 1984 to 1986, he was Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering of Uruguay’s Universidad de la República, for the chair of Electronics & Circuits, as well as for the chair of Circuits & Electric Measurements.
Mr. Maniewicz is married and he has two children. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.
The European Commission White Paper ‘How to master Europe’s digital infrastructure needs?’ was released earlier this year and contained key objectives of looking to create a Digital Single Market in Europe. Part of this involves a proposal for a more integrated governance at EU level for spectrum, including proposals to ‘Europeanise’ spectrum usage licenses for both mobile and satellite. This is not the first time that a proposal along these lines has been put forward, but it has once again placed into the spotlight the institutional structures involving key European level regulatory bodies and the relationship between these and member states. This session will explore what this may mean for the future governance of spectrum in Europe and whether there is a need to revisit the way in which key decisions on spectrum policy are taken. It will look at what the Commission are trying to achieve, whether the proposals that have been put forward are the best way to deliver this, and, particularly with the current Commission mandate set to end at the end of this year, what can be expected to be the next steps.
Amit specialises in advising on complex wireless transactions and strategy projects, including supporting mobile operators with spectrum valuation and regulators with the development and implementation of spectrum policy.
Amit has over 25 years of experience advising fixed and mobile operators, regulators/government bodies, financial institutions and equipment manufacturers on commercial, technical and regulatory issues. He has supported several multi-billion dollar M&A and debt financing transactions and has led numerous high-profile studies in the area of radio spectrum policy. Amit brings a global perspective to his work, having undertaken projects for clients in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
Amit holds an M.Sc. in Radio Frequency and Communications Engineering from the University of Bradford, UK and an M.B.A. from the University of Warwick, UK.
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Chris is the Chairman of the ECC, CEPT. He is also Ofcom’s Director of International Spectrum Policy, where his responsibilities cover the UK’s international spectrum interests, especially in relation to the ITU, CEPT, and EU. He is a member of Ofcom’s Spectrum Executive Team and Strategy Steering Group.
Chris is active in various European spectrum committees and currently represents the UK on the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG). He has closely engaged for the UK on a number of key European and international spectrum initiatives and led the UK delegations to WRC-15 and WRC-12.
Before joining Ofcom, Chris worked in various UK Government Departments, including 6 years at Oftel, where he worked on different aspects of telecommunications regulation. Chris has a degree in mathematics and statistics from Manchester University.
ALEKSANDER SOŁTYSIK is an attaché for the telecommunication sector in the Permanent Representation of Poland to the European Union and represents Ministry of Digital Affairs in the Council of the European Union. The main responsibilities are matters regarding radio spectrum, gigabit infrastructure, artificial intelligence and Digital Decade. Currently he is the Chair of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group – a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy. He is also an outgoing co-rapporteur of the RSPG Working Group on Peer Review and Member State cooperation on authorizations and awards, which is responsible for annual reports on the implementation of the art. 35 of the European Electronic Communications Code. Aleksander was the Head of International Telecommunication Unit at the Ministry of Digital Affair, engaged in the International Telecommunication Union’s and CEPT matters, mainly focusing on the preparations for the World Radiocommunication Conferences. He was a Kosciuszko Foundation scholar at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University and hold a PhD degree from the Jagiellonian University in Cracow.
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Natalia Vicente is the VP of Public Affairs at GSOA where she works closely with the Secretary General and the CEOs of ESOA Member companies to drive forward high-level advocacy for the satellite communications sector. Specifically, Natalia focuses on the Development Agenda working with international organisations to ensure nation states understand the value of leveraging available satellite communications services to bridge digital, education and health divides in their countries.
Natalia is also a Board Member of the European Internet Forum where she represents ESOA in front of Members of the European Parliament. Natalia has over a decade of experience in the digital sector, focusing on public policy, government relations and building international partnerships.
Before joining ESOA, Natalia worked for the European Telecommunications Network Operator’s (ETNO) working on public and regulatory affairs. Prior to that, she worked for Telefonica, Telecom Italia and TagTagCity, where she was one of the first employees involved in establishing a start-up venture providing mobile solutions to municipalities and local businesses in Belgium.
Natalia is a qualified lawyer with an LLM from the University Autonoma of Madrid and holds a Master of Business Administration specialised in Marketing. She is a Spanish national, lives in Brussels and speaks 4 languages.
Andy works for Cisco Wireless CTO office as an advisor on Wireless regulatory issues and has almost 30 years’ experience in Wireless industry.. He was previously with Ofcom (UK) representing the UK in various International Wireless regulatory and standardisation fora ITU-R, CEPT, EU, ETSI, IEEE 802 etc. This included in various roles sometimes heading UK delegations or as a Chairman and/or vice chair of various project teams and working groups of ITU/CEPT/ECC?ETSI working groups and project teams including WGFM, and project teams on Short Range Devices and various groups looking at RLAN harmonisation and co-existence issues.
Specialties: UK WT act primary and secondary legislation, European and International government liaison. various European and worldwide Wireless standards. Benefits and impact assessment, team leader, sharing analysis, project management.
Six months have now passed since the crucial World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) in Dubai. Stakeholders across Europe and globally have had time to reflect on the decisions that were taken on key agenda items, assess their impact, and consider the next steps. As regulators across Europe and globally face up to the challenge of delivering sufficient spectrum to both satisfy the growing demand for mobile broadband services and meet future requirements for the growth of satellite, WiFi, broadcast, and other key services, these WRC-23 outcomes will play a big part in shaping the future connectivity landscape both in the region and globally. This session will look in detail at the questions and answers that have come out of Dubai and what these mean for member states, European connectivity providers, and citizens, as well as their immediate and long-term connectivity objectives. With the first preparatory meeting for WRC-27 taking place in the week immediately following the conclusion of the WRC-23 discussions, it will also look at the issues that are set to dominate discussions over the next four years, both in Region 1 and internationally, and what this may mean for the development of the spectrum landscape across the European region.
Mr. Mario Maniewicz was re-elected for a second term as Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 in Bucharest, Romania. Mr Maniewicz was first elected Director of the Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He first took office on 1 January 2019.
Mario Maniewicz is an electronic engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with the ITU for over 30 years, where he has held various positions of responsibility in the Radiocommunication and Development Bureaux as well as in ITU Regional Offices.
– From 2014 to 2018, he was the Deputy Director of ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau (BR), where he assisted the Director of the BR, Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academia in the vital function of global management of the radiofrequency spectrum and satellite orbits. He also headed the Informatics, Administration and Publication Department, was the overall organizer of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) and played a key role in WRC-15 serving as the Secretary of the Conference.
– From 2011 to 2014, he was the Chief of the Infrastructure, Enabling Environment and E-Applications Department in ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), where he directed the assistance to developing countries in bridging the digital divide by promoting the use of ICT-based networks, services and applications, while ensuring the use of appropriate technologies to build or extend their information and communication infrastructure, as well as adapt to the rapidly changing telecommunication/ICT environment. He also led activities aimed at providing guidelines and tools for the development of policy and regulatory frameworks, financing policies and development strategies. These included promotion of pervasive broadband deployment, transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, spectrum management and monitoring, as well as well as other areas of ICT development such as deployment of telecommunication and IP-based networks and use of reliable and cost-effective ICT applications while enhancing cyber-security. In addition, he promoted access and use of telecommunications and ICTs for groups that have been marginalized in their access to current mainstream ICT services, including women, youth, indigenous people, persons with disabilities and people living in remote communities.
– From 2007 to 2011, he was the Chief of BDT’s Policies and Strategies Department, where he led the development of telecommunications and ICT policies and regulations to assist developing countries in promoting investment and enhancing their networks and services. He was also responsible for the organization of the Global Symposium for Regulators, and he enhanced the event by incorporating the Chief Regulatory Officers and the Regional Regulatory Associations meetings. He directed other activities in the policy and regulatory domain, as well as in the areas of ICT statistical data collection and analysis, Internet and IP networks development, and human capacity building.
– From 2000 to 2007, he was the Head of the BDT’s Human Capacity Building Division, where he designed strategies and implemented projects on training, human resources management and development, organizational development and managerial development for telecommunications. He also assisted governments, regulators and operators of developing countries in the definition of their organizational and managerial strategies and policies, the identification of their Human Resource and Organizational Development needs, including training of top-level managers in modern management and competitive transformation related aspects.
– From 1993 to 2000, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Brazil Regional Office, where he managed projects in various fields such as rural telecommunication development, frequency management and monitoring, transformation of the telecommunication sector, strengthening of regulatory agencies and transformation of telecommunication operators, among others. He also played a key role in the definition of policies and regulatory frameworks for the opening of the telecommunication sector to competition in the Americas Region.
– From 1990 to 1993, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Chile Area Office, where he managed projects for the modernization and reorganization of incumbent telecommunication operators in the Americas Region. He also attended to the sectorial development needs of the countries in the region.
– From 1988 to 1990, he was Regional Expert at ITU’s Field Office in Peru, where he was responsible for the assistance to operators and regulators in developing and implementing methodologies for production and delivery of modular training in telecommunications. He also provided assistance to the countries in the region in the preparation of their top managers to face the changes in the sector, such as convergence and competition.
– From 1987 to 1988, he was the Director of ANTEL (Telecommunications Operator of Uruguay) Training Centre.
– From 1985 to 1987, he was Telecommunication Engineer at ANTEL.
– From 1979 to 1985, he was Engineering Assistant at ANTEL.
– From 1984 to 1986, he was Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering of Uruguay’s Universidad de la República, for the chair of Electronics & Circuits, as well as for the chair of Circuits & Electric Measurements.
Mr. Maniewicz is married and he has two children. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.
Stephen is currently Head of International Spectrum Policy in the Spectrum Group in Ofcom (UK) and has been in that position for 9 years. He was the Deputy Head for the UK to CPM23-2 and WRC-23. Stephen has participated in the WRCs in 2012, 2015 and 2019 (in addition to the respective second CPM meetings).
Before his current position, he worked in the Ofcom team concerned with the UK spectrum award of the 10, 28, 32, and 40 GHz bands, in 2008. He also led a spectrum interference investigation team, during the London 2012 Olympics, with staff from the UK and several other CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications) administrations.
Stephen has recently been selected as the Chair of the CEPT Group for the WRC-27 period.
During the WRC-23 period Stephen was the Chair of the CEPT Group addressing agenda items related to Science Issues and the CEPT view on the agenda items for WRC-27 and was additionally elected as Vice Chair for the duration of the CEPT CPG-23 process.
Prior to this he served as a Vice Chair of the ECC Working Group for Frequency Management (WG-FM), between June 2014 and November 2020. Whilst in that role he also served as the Chair of the ECC project team addressing the potential for “Wi-Fi” and similar systems in the 5925 – 6425 MHz band, that was subject to a European Commission Mandate.
Stephen has had a diverse exposure to a wide variety of spectrum sectors and disciplines, under the WRC processes and of the harmonisation functions of ECC.
Stephen holds a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in electronic and electrical engineering and has been with Ofcom since its inception in December 2003. Before Ofcom, Stephen worked at the Radiocommunications Agency (the Government predecessor to Ofcom) in several posts: Radio Investigation and Monitoring, Satellite and Space Sciences and the International Regulation Team.
Stephen is married with a family. He enjoys home mechanics, motorcycles, electronics and home improvements.
Glyn Carter is Future Spectrum Director at the GSMA, where his main focus since joining in 2012 has been future use of spectrum. This has included preparatory work for WRC-15, WRC-19, WRC-23, and now WRC-27, including sharing and compatibility studies and other preparatory activities in ITU-R and CEPT. It also includes wider activities related to future spectrum for mobile broadband, including to make spectrum available for 5G and beyond, and work in ITU-R and CEPT on bands identified at previous WRCs.
Glyn has been involved in spectrum management for over 25 years. Prior to GSMA, this included working as a consultant for regulators in countries including the UK, South Africa, Sweden, Japan and Jordan. He has also worked for mobile operators in countries including the UK, Romania and Portugal, where his responsibilities included technology strategy, terminals and mobile data services, as well as regulatory activities and standards. Glyn has a BSc in mathematics and a PhD in cryptography from London University.
Peng is the Vice President of Policy & Regulatory at GSOA, where he leads advocacy efforts around spectrum management, licencing, and national policy initiatives. With experience in telecoms, mobile, and satellites, he has advised governments and industry players globally.
Previously at Eutelsat OneWeb, Peng shaped licencing frameworks for Low Earth Orbit constellations and satellite regulatory procedures for WRC-23. At GSMA, he ran a global campaign to improve spectrum licensing conditions for mobile operators, leading a global team of policy expert to engage with policymakers across developing markets.
Peng holds a Master’s in Telecommunication from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and an Executive MBA from London Business School. He speaks English, Mandarin, and French fluently.
Luigi Ardito is currently a member of the GSA Spectrum management team. He works as the Senior Director of Government Affairs EMEA at Qualcomm. He is leading Qualcomm spectrum and regulatory policy agenda in Europe, dealing with various government entities and industry organizations. He is also the Chairman of Digital Europe Spectrum Group.
Martha Suarez was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia. She received her degree as Electronics Engineer from the Universidad Industrial de Santander in 2004. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in an exchange program with the Ecole Superieure Chimie Physique Electronique de Lyon, France, in 2001. She received her master’s degree in high frequency communication systems from the University of Marne-la-Vallee, France, in 2006 and her Ph.D. degree from the University Paris-Est in 2009. She joined the department of Telecommunications and Signal Processing at the École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs en Électronique et Électrotechnique de Paris ESIEE and the Esycom Research Center, where she worked on wireless transmitter architectures. In 2011, she was awarded with a Marie Curie Fellowship and worked at the Instytut Technologii Elektronowej ITE in Poland for the Partnership for Cognitive Radio (Par4CR) European Project. Her research interests were in the areas of wireless system architectures and the design of high performance Radio Frequency (RF) transceivers.
In 2013, she joined the National Spectrum Agency in Colombia, ANE, where she worked as Senior Adviser to the General Director and supported the international activities of the Agency. Afterwards, in December 2015, she became the General Director of ANE and continued promoting the efficient use of the Spectrum and the mobile broadband connectivity in Colombia.
Since the 1st of May 2019, Martha Suarez has been the President of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance DSA, a global organization advocating for laws and regulations that will lead to more efficient and effective spectrum utilization, which is essential to addressing key worldwide social and economic challenges.
Vincent Sneed is Senior EU Policy Adviser at the European Broadcasting Union, the world’s leading alliance of public service media (PSM). He has worked there since the beginning of 2019. Previously, he worked for the Association of European Radios (AER) between 2006 and 2019.
At the EBU, he covers EU policy related to copyright and distribution, including spectrum-related rules.
He has worked on the European Electronic Communications Code, the UHF Decision, the preparation to the World Radiocommunication Conference, the Radio Spectrum Policy Programme, the DSM Copyright Directive, the NetCab Directive, the Collective Rights’ Management Directive, and other spectrum management, copyright, advertising and media-related dossiers.
He studied law in France, Spain and the Netherlands, and speaks French, English, Italian and Spanish.
The future of the upper 6GHz band has been hotly debated over the past few years. Recent discussions that took place at WRC-23 highlighted the very different opinions that still remain both at a regional and national level when considering the best solution for the band in the long-term. Across Europe and the rest of Region 1, the decision was taken to identify the entire 6425-7125MHz band for IMT, whilst at the same time including a footnote that recognises that this spectrum is used by wireless access systems such as Wi-Fi. Alongside this, the RSPG has started its work towards the Opinion on the upper 6 GHz long-term vision which is expected early in 2025, and work is ongoing in CEPT on technical studies from a number of different angles to explore the potential feasibility of sharing in the band. Against this backdrop, this session will look at the next steps and at the different approaches and mechanisms that are on the table as a possible solution. It will discuss the viability of each of these and explore whether sharing of some kind in the band is feasible and if it would represent the most appropriate use of spectrum, or if not, then what other options could be considered. Taking all this into account, it will look at the best approach to ensuring the interference free co-existence of mobile, WiFi, and incumbent services across the 6GHz band. What is the right choice for Europe in order to ensure that the economic value of this key spectrum is maximised both in the short and long term?
Richard is a journalist and analyst at PolicyTracker. He has written for local news outlets and writes on the publishing platform Medium. Richard is bilingual and fluent in English and German. He also maintains the 5G Observatory website, which is funded by the European Commission. He also covers various spectrum policy issues for Policy Tracker’s newsletter.
Richard has an undergraduate degree in Media & Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London.
Meta Pavšek Taškov received her BSEE and MSEE from University of Ljubljana, Slovenia in 1990 and 1993 respectively. First employment was 1989 in mixed research and development laboratory located at Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana as member of industry and employee of Iskra Hipot, Šentjernej.
Since 1995 she was employed at AKOS (Agency for communication networks and services of the Republic of Slovenia) which was at the time named as URST (Slovene Telecommunications Administration) in the RF Spectrum management department. 2012 and 2013 she was leading LTE project and was a Deputy of Tender Commission’s chairperson for 2014 Auction of frequency bands 800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz. Since 2016 she is head of Mobile department. She was a Deputy Head of Delegation at WRC-15, WRC-19 and at WRC-23 she was member of delegation. She chairs HCM – TWG since 2010, ECC PT1 DG 4 GHz since 2022 and RSPG Long-term vision for the upper 6 GHz band since March 2024. She was chairing ECC WGSE SE21 from 2013 to 2019 and ECC PT1 DG 40 GHz from 2020 to 2022. She is an active member of RSCom, RSPG WRC-23, ECC, CPG, ECC PT1, WGSE, SE21, HCM and member of CPG-PTA, CPG-PTB, CPG-PTD, SE45. Since 2017 she has supported projects in framework of Slovene 5G initiative and 700 MHz Multiband Auction, M2M Auction, BWA 10/12 GHz Auction, 2300/3600 MHz local Auction as well as other Auctions and assignments in accordance with Art.47 ZEKom-2.
Since 2024, Co-Chair of the RSPG Working Group delivering a long-term vision for the upper 6 GHz band.
Previously, Co-Chair of the RSPG Working Group, Peer Review.
Since 2014, German Representative in the RSC and ECC.
From 2010 to 2014, responsible for planning, concept development, and design of Internet access in the “Networks of the Federal Government,” including firewall systems, malware protection, content filtering, and botnet detection.
From 1999 to 2010, Project Manager at Verizon Business for Voice, Data, Internet, and Security Services.
Prior to that, I worked for a German Mobile Network Operator.
Andreas has a diploma in Electrical Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences Gelsenkirchen.
Jeppe Tanderup Kristensen is Chief Adviser at the Agency for Data Supply and Infrastructure, the Danish government agency in charge of spectrum management. His responsibilities include representing the interests of Denmark in the ITU, CEPT, and EU on spectrum matters, among others.
He was head of delegation for Denmark at WRC-23 and PP-22 and deputy head at WRC-19 and PP-18.
He has been a delegate to Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) since 2022.
Jeppe has, in his career with the agency, been involved in multiple spectrum auctions.
Jeppe holds an M.Sc. from the Technical University of Denmark.
Erika Tejedor is Director of Government and Policy Advocacy at Ericsson and focuses on ensuring harmonized future spectrum availability for mobile globally, with focus on 5G and 6G. During her career, she has focused on spectrum from different perspectives: research, product development, 3GPP RAN4 and ETSI standardization as well as spectrum regulation. At the moment, Erika focuses on spectrum policy strategies, ITU-R activities and coordination of spectrum related work across the different regions. Erika graduated from the University of Zaragoza (Spain) and the Linköping University (Sweden) and holds a Master in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Wireless Communications.
Detlef Fuehrer is the Senior Manager, Spectrum Management and Regulatory Affairs, EMEA in the CTO Office at Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company. His main responsibility is to set and drive HPE’s legislative & regulatory priorities for the radio spectrum in EMEA and to execute all aspects of HPE’s EMEA strategy.
Prior to Aruba, Detlef managed the Spectrum Engineering activities of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre where he established the Radio Spectrum Lab. Holding a diploma in Electronics Engineering from Dortmund University, he worked in the semiconductor industry for almost 20 years, predominantly in the communications domain, at Alcatel, Texas Instruments, and Hitachi Electronic Components. Detlef authored the first German-language expert book on ADSL and published numerous studies on spectrum sharing and wireless coexistence.
As the demands of our hyper-connected world outpace the availability of traditional spectrum, spectrum sharing of some kind is set to become increasingly part of the connectivity landscape. Europe has traditionally been slower than some other regions (US, Asia) when it comes to embracing sharing technologies, but there are signs of this changing, with a number of different innovative sharing approaches now being explored across different bands. This session will look at the increasing importance that spectrum sharing may play in meeting future connectivity requirements of technologies such as 6G and WiFi8, and how technological and regulatory advances may help models for sharing to evolve. It will explore different sharing models and techniques, including dynamic access, cognitive radio technologies, licensed shared access models, and unlicensed models like Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the US. It will discuss the role of regulators and governments in encouraging innovation and ensuring fair and efficient spectrum use, and overall, it will look at what needs to be done to ensure the delivery of flexible regulatory frameworks and policies can facilitate innovation and responsible spectrum sharing without stifling competition.
Matthew Newman is the global chief correspondent for MLex and writes about data protection, privacy, telecoms, cyber security, and artificial intelligence. Matthew began his journalism career in 1991 in community newspapers. He worked as a reporter in Riga, Latvia, in 1993 and then moved to Chicago, where he covered local news. In 1995, he became a personal finance reporter for Dow Jones Newswires, and was then transferred to Brussels in 1999. He specialized in EU regulatory affairs, including trade and telecom issues. He began covering competition for Bloomberg News as an EU court reporter in 2004. In 2010, he was named spokesman for Viviane Reding, the EU’s justice commissioner. In January 2012, he helped launch the commission’s proposal for overall data protection rules. He began working at MLex in April 2012 and has covered mergers, antitrust, and state-aid cases. He spent a year studying French, history, and communications in Grenoble, France, in 1988 and 1989 and is a graduate of Boston University with degrees in history and journalism. He earned a diploma in competition law from King’s College in 2016.
U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). She joined the FCC in 2019, having previously served as an Attorney Advisor in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Ms. Quinley leads a wide range of FCC spectrum proceedings, including the adoption of new rules governing direct connections from satellites to wireless devices and the oversight of the Citizens Broadband Radio Service. Ms. Quinley also plays a significant role in U.S. government interagency spectrum management, having served as the FCC representative to the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee, which advises NTIA on a broad range of spectrum policy issues, and having worked to update the FCC and NTIA’s Memorandum of Understanding on spectrum coordination processes.
David Willis has been appointed Group Director, Spectrum, bringing 30 years of technology and telecom experience in government and industry to the role. David joins Ofcom’s Senior Management Team.
He joined Ofcom to oversee its Spectrum Group, which ensures that the UK’s wireless spectrum – a valuable, finite national resource – is used efficiently and effectively.
Most recently David was President of the Communications Research Centre, the Government of Canada’s research centre for advanced wireless telecommunications, spectrum management and helping to improve broadband services for Canadians.
Before this David led the Spectrum Engineering and Planning team at Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada. Here his work included international spectrum standards; wireless spectrum engineering and planning; satellite spectrum policy, licensing and coordination; and leading the Canadian delegation at the 2019 World Radio Communication Conference.
David has also held leadership roles in product management, operations and engineering at BlackBerry and Nortel Networks.
Luigi Ardito is currently working as Director of government affairs for Europe, Middle East and North Africa at Qualcomm and drives the Qualcomm spectrum and regulatory policy agenda in Europe and MENA dealing with various government entities and industry organizations.
Prior to joining Qualcomm, Luigi worked for over a decade at Sony Corporation both in Japan and in the UK. Luigi also gained professional experience at France Telecom and at the Italian Public Broadcaster RAI.
Luigi has extensive experience in the Media and Telecom industry as well as the Semiconductor Industry gained through his assignments at Qualcomm, Sony, France Telecom and RAI. He holds an Electronic Engineering Degree gained at the Politecnico di Torino in Italy and a Master of Business Administration gained at the Henley Management College in the UK.
Jaime Hjort is Head of Wireless and Spectrum Policy for Amazon. Previously she served as Vice President of Government Affairs at CTIA and worked as a staffer in the U.S. Congress, in the both the House of Representatives and the Senate, where she focused on telecommunications policy. Jaime earned her B.A. in Political Science from the George Washington University and her J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law.
With more than 30 years of experience in electronics and telecommunications engineering, I am a dedicated professional with a passion for technological progress and interested in technology supporting societal evolution.
I held different roles in organisations engaged in a variety of fields: as a developer or being in charge of testing in companies producing medical or industrial computing or telecom systems, consumer electronics, service industry, or policy officer on contract with the European Commission, on the team in charge of the Radio Equipment Directive.
Since 2013, as consultant and EUCOMREG SRL company owner, I advise and represent my international clients in matters relating to the regulatory aspects of radio devices in the European Union.
More than 90% of the overall internet traffic and up to 80% of mobile traffic happens indoors. It is vitally important to ensure that seamless, high capacity, reliable, and low latency connectivity is available available for both consumer and industrial users across all indoor situations. However, the sheer variety of buildings, venues, use-cases and stakeholders makes achieving this a complex task. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. This session will explore the specific challenges faced in delivering gigabit indoor connectivity across various scenarios and at the different solutions that are available to tackle these. It will explore the role that different technologies such as 5G, Wi-Fi and fixed access (including FTTH) can play in addressing the diverse needs of indoor connectivity, and at how indoor connectivity fits within the broader scope of the Digital Decade connectivity objectives for 2030. It will explore the technical and economic challenges that have been holding back indoor connectivity to date, and at the different solutions that are available to tackle these and deliver the end user with the seamless connectivity solutions that they require.
Janette is one of Analysys Mason’s senior spectrum experts, with 25 years’ experience in radio engineering, wireless technologies, spectrum policy and spectrum management. Janette joined Analysys Mason in 2001, having previously worked for the UK Radiocommunications Agency (now Ofcom).
Janette’s expertise lies in mobile, wireless and broadband technologies and markets and her consulting experience includes advising on market developments in the wireless sector, wireless technology evolution, wireless business modelling, spectrum valuation, spectrum strategy, competition and regulation issues in the wireless market. She has worked with a wide range of public- and private-sector clients including national regulators, government departments, network operators, wireless industry trade associations, equipment vendors and telecoms users.
Her recent focus has been on 5G mobile and she has authored several published reports, including a study for Qualcomm and Ericsson on costs and benefits of 5G deployment in Europe, a study on 5G millimetre-wave deployment in Europe, reports for US industry body CTIA comparing 5G readiness in several world markets and a study on the benefits of cellular V2X technology for the 5GAA. Janette holds a BEng in Electronic Engineering from the University of Edinburgh, and an MSc in Radio Communications from the University of Bradford.
Davide Ferrari is a highly experienced manager, specializing in the delivery of IT services and the design of complex infrastructures, with a focus on IT Transformation and Cyber Security. Throughout his career, Davide has dedicated himself to these fields, utilizing his deep knowledge to foster innovation and enhance operational efficiency in IT environments.