Navigating the NGSO Era: Balancing Sovereignty, Safety, and Innovation at WRC-27

Imagine if all cars were to be fined because a few drivers ignored the rules. It would likely solve the problem of irresponsible driving, but at the expense of everyone who drives safely. That’s the risk we face with Agenda Item 1.5 (AI 1.5) at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27) if we’re not careful.

WRC-27 AI 1.5 intends to address a real and growing challenge: unauthorized operations of earth stations (terminals) that connect to satellites in non-geostationary (NGSO) orbits. These devices can be shipped and installed in various locations worldwide, sometimes without the necessary national approvals. If these were left unchecked, they could cause harmful interference, violate spectrum rights, and undermine trust between regulators and satellite operators.

Nobody disputes this is a problem worth solving. But the way in which we solve it matters, and it matters a lot! After all, no one wants a “Wild West” scenario in the skies above their national borders, but the solution, if poorly designed, could penalize satellite operators following the rules.

Why AI 1.5 Exists

NGSO satellite networks are intended to provide worldwide coverage. They offer the capability to connect users in various locations without requiring extensive terrestrial infrastructure. Depending on the satellite network design, terminals may be portable and can be deployed within a short period of time.

In most cases, these terminals are sold and activated only in countries where the operator or service provider has the required authorizations. Sometimes, terminals find their way — through resale, grey markets, or even well-meaning disaster relief efforts — into countries where they are not authorized.

From a regulator’s perspective, the unauthorized operation of earth stations raises two serious concerns: interference with local networks and a loss of control over who operates in their sovereign territory. From a satellite operator’s perspective, AI 1.5 risks becoming another drawn-out, high-stakes battle unless it is approached with a clear focus: solving the unauthorized use problem without creating unnecessary barriers for lawful satellite operations.  

Striking the Balance: Enabling Access Through Thoughtful Satellite Regulation

At the heart of this discussion is a simple question: how can countries maintain sovereignty over telecommunications in their territory when NGSO satellite technology operates across borders so easily? If regulations become too strict, we risk slowing down progress and limiting access to essential services, especially in the places that need them most. On the other hand, too little oversight could open the door to confusion and interference, making it harder for everyone to coexist.

To move forward, regulators and industry leaders should recognize we're dealing with a new reality. These satellite terminals are in most cases portable, and their users are often on the move. That means we need regulations that are adaptable and straightforward rather than complex.

Furthermore, effective satellite regulation is not a choice between protecting national sovereignty or expanding global connectivity. It’s about doing both, deliberately and intelligently.

For WRC-27 AI 1.5, that means targeting rules that stop unauthorized NGSO terminals without laying unnecessary burdens on licensed operators. Thoughtful regulation should act like a precision tool, not a blunt instrument: targeting the root cause of the identified problems while leaving legitimate services freedom to grow.

A balanced approach should then respect three realities. First, access matters: millions of people in remote, maritime and disaster-hit regions rely on satellite services as their only lifeline to the digital world. Second, innovation matters: operators are deploying capital-intensive, technically complex systems that require regulatory certainty to thrive. Third, trust matters: regulators must have confidence that spectrum use is lawful, and operators must have confidence that compliance will not be penalized with disproportionate costs.

By embedding these principles into AI 1.5, WRC-27 can ensure a framework that safeguards spectrum integrity and national sovereignty while keeping the doors to space-enabled connectivity wide open. In short: regulate smartly, connect more.

In the end, it's not about eliminating every risk, but about managing them wisely. WRC-27 can help ensure a balanced framework — one that respects national borders and lets innovation flourish.

The Danger of Overregulation

The instinct to act is natural, but the danger lies in overcorrecting. If AI 1.5 results in overly prescriptive or fragmented rules, the impact on satellite operators could be severe, resulting in duplicative licensing processes onerous operating conditions and slow service rollout in the regions that need connectivity the most, such as rural areas.

The irony is that operators that disregard and contravene the rules targeted by AI 1.5 are the least likely to comply with complex new rules. The burden would instead fall hardest on the compliant operators, namely companies already working with regulators to ensure lawful and interference-free services.

The challenge before us is not just technical, but philosophical. How do we uphold the integrity of national borders and regulatory frameworks without sacrificing the momentum of a technology that can bridge the digital divide? The answer is not shackling progress with layers of bureaucracy, but designing a regulatory approach that is agile, intelligent, and rooted in partnership between policymakers and industry.

We must acknowledge that spectrum is a finite resource, vulnerable to misuse but essential to progress. Just as air traffic controllers guide planes safely through crowded skies, smart rules can ensure that NGSO satellite networks deliver benefits without chaos or conflict. The key is to create a system where compliance is straightforward, enforcement is effective, and innovation is not just allowed but encouraged.

Policymakers must therefore tread carefully. The real measure of success for AI 1.5 at WRC-27 will not be how many new rules are written, but how well those rules empower responsible actors and deter offenders. An effective framework should lower the cost of compliance while raising the cost of evasion, ensuring that the incentives align for all parties.

A Call for Balance

Whilst space is too important to be left unregulated, it is also too promising to smother under red tape. We need to prove that rules and innovation can coexist in orbit. The right approach will protect spectrum, preserve national sovereignty, and keep operators accountable without grounding the very networks that make global connectivity possible.

AI 1.5 is about emphasizing the international regulatory framework to prevent the unauthorized operations of earth stations, but the framework must not penalize well-established companies already working hard to follow the rules. It is advisable to uphold established provisions of the Radio Regulations and to harmonize regulatory compliance with consistent satellite service delivery through effective measures incorporated into both current and future non-GSO system configurations.

Because in the race to connect the planet, the rules should keep us on course — not keep us from getting off the ground.

Note: This article was written by Michelle Caldeira and was originally published in Spanish on Key Opinion Leaders by DPL News.