Taking place virtually, the 2021 edition of The European 5G Conference was held on 23-25 February. Now in its 5th year, the European 5G Conference has an established reputation as Brussels’ leading meeting place for discussion on 5G policy.
With the European Commission currently consulting on a review of The 5G Action Plan, this year’s conference focussed on this and more. It looked at the role that 5G can play in digital recovery, and more broadly on the way forward to ensure that Europe’s 5G goals and objectives are fully achieved.
Pearse O’Donohue is Director for the Future Networks Directorate of DG CONNECT at the European Commission, dealing with policy development and research supporting the Digital Single Market as regards 5G networks, IoT, cloud and data flows and conceptualising new and innovative approaches towards service platforms and Next Generation Internet. Before becoming Director, Pearse was Head of the Cloud and Software Unit in DG CONNECT, dealing with the strategic development and implementation of policy on cloud computing and software.
Until October 2014, Pearse was Deputy Head of Cabinet of Vice-President Neelie Kroes, previous European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda. He was responsible for advising the Vice-President on the development and implementation of policy on electronic communications, networks and services, as well as broadband, spectrum and other related policies such as Internet governance.
Before that, Pearse was Head of the Radio Spectrum Policy Unit in the European Commission, DG CONNECT.
Prior to joining the European Commission, Pearse held posts in the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU in Brussels, and as Assistant Director of the Brussels office of the Irish Business & Employers’ Confederation.
Director for Future Networks, DG Connect
European Commission
Michel Van Bellinghen, Master of Laws (UCL), started off at the university in 1990 as a researcher, then became an assistant under the supervision of Professor Françoise Tulkens, at the UCL Laws Centre for Criminal Law.
He became an assistant advisor at the Ministry of Justice in 1992 under the supervision of Professor Marc Bossuyt and joined the BIPT in 1997. From 1999 to 2003 he held the position of expert at the private office of Rik Daems, who was the Federal Telecommunications Minister at the time, and afterwards took up the function of Assistant Head of the Private Office. From 2003 until 2009 he was nominated Member of the BIPT Council for the first time. Following this mandate he remained closely affiliated to the Council and supervised the legal department of the regulator during a number of years. He has written scientific publications.
In 2013 he held a position on the Council as a Member. In January 2017 he was assigned Chairman of the BIPT Council. Michel Van Bellinghen has been elected to serve as Chair of BEREC in 2021.
Chairman, BIPT Council; & Chairman BEREC
Jonas Wessel is Director of the Spectrum 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. 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.
Chair, Sub-Group on New Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP), RSPG
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. She attended the World Radio Conference WRC- 15 in November 2015 as a Deputy Head of Delegation. Since 2016 she is head of Mobile department in AKOS leading preparation for 700 MHz multiband Auction and 5G initiative project.
Head of Mobile Communication
Agency for Communication Networks & Services of the Republic of Slovenia
Peter is managing the Commission’s policy on 5G communication systems and the related research and innovation programme.
Before his appointment as Head of Unit he was managing the office of the Director General of DG CONNECT, Roberto Viola, coordinating the Commission’s digital policy initiatives. The portfolio included Digital Single Market, Broadband Policy, Telecoms, Media and Online Policy, the Copyright Reform as well as the EU ICT Research and Innovation Programme.
Between 2010 and 2014 he had different roles in the Commission’s telecoms policy Directorate. These included Head of Sector “Spectrum Policy”, penholder of main elements of the Commission proposal on the Telecom Single Market and the Roaming regulation, and the implementation of the EU telecom rules in Germany and Austria.
Between 2005 and 2010 he coordinated the EU R&D programme leading to the 4G mobile communications standards.
Before joining the European Commission in 2004 he has occupied several engineering and management positions in industry, academia and start-ups. He holds engineering and doctoral degrees from RWTH Aachen University, Germany.
Head of Unit – Future Connectivity Systems
European Commission
Andreas Geiss is Head of Unit for Spectrum Policy in DG CONNECT of the European Commission. He has been working for the European Commission since 2002 in various positions. His responsibilities included mobile communications, the Radio Spectrum Policy Programme and negotiations with the Member States in different settings. Before joining the European Commission he worked for the European Radiocommunications Office (ERO), where he was project leader for projects dealing with terrestrial and satellite communications and setting up the ECO Frequency Information System (EFIS). He has been involved in the European preparations for World Radiocommunications Conferences since 1995. Andreas has a master’s degree in electrical engineering and started his professional career in 1991 at the German Regulatory Authority in the area of telecommunications.
Head of Unit for Spectrum Policy
European Commission
Matti Latva-aho received the M.Sc., Lic.Tech. and Dr. Tech (Hons.) degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oulu, Finland in 1992, 1996 and 1998, respectively. From 1992 to 1993, he was a Research Engineer at Nokia Mobile Phones, Oulu, Finland after which he joined Centre for Wireless Communications (CWC) at the University of Oulu. Prof. Latva-aho was Director of CWC during the years 1998-2006 and Head of Department for Communication Engineering until August 2014. Currently he serves as Academy of Finland Professor in 2017 – 2022 and is Director for National 6G Flagship Programme for 2018 – 2026. His research interests are related to mobile broadband communication systems and currently his group focuses on beyond 5G systems research. Prof. Latva-aho has published close to 500 conference or journal papers in the field of wireless communications. He received Nokia Foundation Award in 2015 for his achievements in mobile communications research.
Director – 6G Flagship
University of Oulu
Harald Gruber is head of the Digital Infrastructure Division at the Projects Directorate of the European Investment Bank based in Luxembourg. He oversees a team of experts involved in project appraisal. He also works on the Bank’s business strategy with respect to financing of broadband infrastructure, innovation policy and the digital economy in general. He has also contributed in defining new financial instruments for digital infrastructure jointly with European Commission, national promotional banks and private sector.
Harald has also a considerable record of accomplishment in scientific publication. Recent work is on formulating proposals for a digital industrial policy[1] . More in general, he has published articles in refereed journals as well as books. He is on the editorial board of academic journals. He has been also professor at Bocconi University (Milan) for telecommunications economics.
Harald Gruber holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the London School of Economics.
Head of Digital Infrastructure Division, European Investment Bank
Luigi Ardito is currently working as Director of government affairs for Europe, Middle East and North Africa at Qualcomm and drive 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 gained also 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.
Senior Director, Government Affairs
Qualcomm
Carlota Reyners Fontana is Head of Unit of the Electronic Communications Policy unit in DG Connect at the European Commission. The unit is in charge of developing policy and regulatory initiatives in the field of Electronic Communications. The unit is actively involved in shaping the future electronic communications agenda. Previously Carlota has been leading the unit for Investments in High Capacity Networks (including developing the policy on Connecting Europe Facility and the WiFi4EU voucher scheme). Until December 2017, Carlota was Deputy Head of the Radio Spectrum Policy unit from where she led the proposals and the negotiations of the access regulation, spectrum and universal service of the European Electronic Communications Code. In 2012 – 2014, she was Member of cabinet of Vice-President Neelie Kroes, Commissioner responsible for Digital Agenda under the Barroso II Commission. She has previously worked in the Commission’s Competition Directorate General as well as a competition lawyer in a leading European telecommunications company and a Brussels based international law firm. She holds a law degree from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and a Master in European law from the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Head of Unit - Electronic Communications Policy
European Commission
Guillaume is a Public Policy Manager in Facebook’s Connectivity & Access group focusing on global spectrum policy issues. Guillaume is focusing on how different technologies like 5G, WiFi and satellites can help solve the world’s connectivity challenges. Guillaume has more than 10 years of experience in the spectrum management arena, working previously at Airbus and Qualcomm. Guillaume received a PhD from Victoria University (Melbourne, Australia) and an Engineering Degree from Telecom Paris (Paris, France).
Global Connectivity Policy
Facebook
Maarit has an extensive expertise in telecoms, broadband and internet matters. She joined ETNO from the Internet Society, where she served as a Senior Manager Europe and where she has acquired strong experience of broadband policies as well as extensive links with internet and tech stakeholders.
Maarit also had direct experience of the telecoms business during her 6 years at Cisco and has developed a strong service-oriented, hands-on profile acquired in leading consultancies Interel and Schuman Associates.
She also has a strong European academic background from the College of Europe, LSE, King’s College and SciencesPo. Maarit is a Finnish national, she also speaks English and French.
Director for Regulatory Affairs
ETNO
Cristina is the Director of Spectrum information and analysis, Spectrum Group at Ofcom. Cristina currently leads the Spectrum Mobile Data Strategy programme with a particular focus on assessing the implications of growing demand. Prior to working on 5G, Cristina led the development of a new spectrum sharing framework, and launched Ofcom open data policy. In particular Cristina was responsible for the release of the UK Interactive spectrum map and the release of information on spectrum use in open format. Prior to joining Ofcom Cristina held various marketing and strategy roles at Telefonica O2, EE (then Orange), and Ericsson (then Red Bee Media). Cristina holds a Master Degree in Management Engineering from the Politecnico di Torino university in Italy.
Director of Spectrum Insight and Analysis
Ofcom
Dr Diego R. Lopez joined Telefonica I+D in 2011 as a Senior Technology Expert, and is currently in charge of the Technology Exploration activities within the GCTIO Unit. Before joining Telefónica he spent some years in the academic sector, dedicated to research on network services, and was appointed member of the High-Level Expert Group on Scientific Data Infrastructures by the European Commission.
Diego is currently focused on applied research in network infrastructures, with a special emphasis on virtualization, data-driven management, new architectures, and security. Diego chairs the ETSI ISG on Permissioned Distributed Ledgers and the Network Operator Council ETSI ISG on Network Function Virtualization.
Apart from this, Diego is a more than acceptable Iberian ham carver, and extremely fond of seeking and enjoying comics, and good discussions on any (in)appropriate matter.
More can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr2lopez/
Head of Tech Exploration
Telefonica
MEP & Rapporteur on Europe’s cyber security directive, NIS
European Parliament
Miguel González-Sancho is since July 2018 Head of the Unit “Cybersecurity Technology and Capacity Building” at the European Commission, where he has worked for over 20 years, mainly on EU policy and R&D&I programmes relating to digital technologies, and before on telecoms regulation and trade policy. His previous responsibilities in the Commission included Head of Unit for eHealth, Head of Unit for Administration and Finance, Deputy Head of Unit for Policy Coordination, Deputy Head of the Unit for eInclusion, and member of cabinet of a European Commission Vice-President. Miguel holds degrees in law, international relations, business administration, accounting and auditing.
Head of Unit for “Cybersecurity Technology and Capacity Building”
European Commission
Graduated from Ecole Supérieure d’Electricité (SUPELEC) in 1991, 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 his position, he is directly responsible for preparing the revisions of the French national table of allocation and for the coordination of French positions in international meetings on spectrum within ITU, CEPT and EU. He was Chairman of the CEPT Conference Preparatory Group for the World Radiocommunications Conference 2012 (CPG-12) and, as French representative in RSPG, has chaired several RSPG working groups dealing with EU interests in international meetings and cross-border issues.
Director for Spectrum Planning and International Affairs
Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR)
Bernard Barani graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications de Bretagne in 1982. He then worked as communications engineer in industry on military infrared systems and then with the European Space Agency on advanced satcom programmes.
In 1994, he joined the European Commission and was responsible for implementation of research and policy issues in wireless communication, Internet, audio visual systems, Software and Services. He has been Deputy head of unit for research and policy in the field of Internet of Things systems.
He is currently Acting head of unit in charge of research and innovation on Network Technologies in the CONNECT Directorate General of the European Commission. He is responsible for the definition and implementation of the research strategy related to future networks under the 5G Public Private Partnership and to systems based on connected objects (IoT) in support of EU industry competitiveness. He is also responsible for the 5G/IoT standardisation and IPR related work.
Deputy Head of Unit – Future Connectivity Systems
European Commission
Secretary General
ESOA
Head of Sector ‘Spectrum for Wireless Broadband’ at the Radio Spectrum Policy Unit of DG CONNECT, European Commission. Branimir is responsible for the development and implementation of EU-level spectrum policy for wireless broadband and 5G as well as the integration of research and innovation policies. Specific topics include the 5G spectrum roadmap, harmonised spectrum allocation, coordination of authorisation practices, spectrum management for vertical sectors, international cooperation. Branimir has been working for the European Commission since 2008. He started his professional career in 1995 at the Vodafone Chair for Mobile Communications Systems at the Dresden University, Germany. From 2000 until 2008 he worked with the companies Philips, Qimonda and Signalion (later National Instruments) in Germany in the area of wireless equipment design, manufacturing and marketing. He has made contributions to Wi-Fi standardisation. Branimir has a PhD degree in mobile communications from the Dresden University.
Head of Sector, Spectrum for Wireless Broadband
European Commission
All times listed are in local Brussels time (CET).
Pearse O’Donohue is Director for the Future Networks Directorate of DG CONNECT at the European Commission, dealing with policy development and research supporting the Digital Single Market as regards 5G networks, IoT, cloud and data flows and conceptualising new and innovative approaches towards service platforms and Next Generation Internet. Before becoming Director, Pearse was Head of the Cloud and Software Unit in DG CONNECT, dealing with the strategic development and implementation of policy on cloud computing and software.
Until October 2014, Pearse was Deputy Head of Cabinet of Vice-President Neelie Kroes, previous European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda. He was responsible for advising the Vice-President on the development and implementation of policy on electronic communications, networks and services, as well as broadband, spectrum and other related policies such as Internet governance.
Before that, Pearse was Head of the Radio Spectrum Policy Unit in the European Commission, DG CONNECT.
Prior to joining the European Commission, Pearse held posts in the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU in Brussels, and as Assistant Director of the Brussels office of the Irish Business & Employers’ Confederation.
Adopted in 2016, the existing 5G Action Plan set a number of key targets for 5G deployment across member states and provided a roadmap for how to achieve these. 4 years on, the investment environment has changed massively with the COVID-19 pandemic and public funds launched to enable Europe’s recovery. Against this background, the Commission is consulting on a ‘5G Action Plan Review’, with the aim of setting out new goals towards full 5G deployment as part of the planned Digital Decade Strategy. This session will discuss the current state of play regarding rollout and deployment in Europe, and the key issues that this review of the 5G Action Plan will address. Moving forward, it will look to identify the areas on which future European 5G policy should focus, and at the path forward to ensure that Europe’s 5G goals and objectives are fully achieved.
anette Stewart is a Principal at Analysys Mason, specialising in wireless technology, radio spectrum management and valuation. She has nearly 25 years’ experience of working in radio engineering, spectrum policy and spectrum management through 2G to 5G. She is based in Scotland, UK. Janette began her career working for the UK spectrum regulator (now Ofcom) where she held various roles, latterly Senior Spectrum Engineer in the 3G Auction Team, responsible for determining UK spectrum plans for the 3G licence award and interacting with CEPT and ITU working groups. Since joining Analysys Mason in 2001, her 17 years of consulting experience includes advising on market opportunities within the wireless sector, technology strategy, business planning, spectrum strategy, valuation and auctions. She has worked with a wide range of public and private sector clients including national regulatory authorities and policy makers, fixed and mobile network operators, broadcasters, equipment vendors, wireless industry trade associations and spectrum users. Recent projects have included advising on 5G strategy, valuation of spectrum in 700MHz and 2.3GHz bands, 5G readiness in different world markets (in a published report for US industry association, CTIA) and a study on benefits of extending mobile coverage in the UK. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Edinburgh, UK and a Master of Science degree in radio frequency engineering from the University of Bradford, UK.
Peter is managing the Commission’s policy on 5G communication systems and the related research and innovation programme.
Before his appointment as Head of Unit he was managing the office of the Director General of DG CONNECT, Roberto Viola, coordinating the Commission’s digital policy initiatives. The portfolio included Digital Single Market, Broadband Policy, Telecoms, Media and Online Policy, the Copyright Reform as well as the EU ICT Research and Innovation Programme.
Between 2010 and 2014 he had different roles in the Commission’s telecoms policy Directorate. These included Head of Sector “Spectrum Policy”, penholder of main elements of the Commission proposal on the Telecom Single Market and the Roaming regulation, and the implementation of the EU telecom rules in Germany and Austria.
Between 2005 and 2010 he coordinated the EU R&D programme leading to the 4G mobile communications standards.
Before joining the European Commission in 2004 he has occupied several engineering and management positions in industry, academia and start-ups. He holds engineering and doctoral degrees from RWTH Aachen University, Germany.
Michel Van Bellinghen, Master of Laws (UCL), started off at the university in 1990 as a researcher, then became an assistant under the supervision of Professor Françoise Tulkens, at the UCL Laws Centre for Criminal Law.
He became an assistant advisor at the Ministry of Justice in 1992 under the supervision of Professor Marc Bossuyt and joined the BIPT in 1997. From 1999 to 2003 he held the position of expert at the private office of Rik Daems, who was the Federal Telecommunications Minister at the time, and afterwards took up the function of Assistant Head of the Private Office. From 2003 until 2009 he was nominated Member of the BIPT Council for the first time. Following this mandate he remained closely affiliated to the Council and supervised the legal department of the regulator during a number of years. He has written scientific publications.
In 2013 he held a position on the Council as a Member. In January 2017 he was assigned Chairman of the BIPT Council. Michel Van Bellinghen has been elected to serve as Chair of BEREC in 2021.
Maarit has an extensive expertise in telecoms, broadband and internet matters. She joined ETNO from the Internet Society, where she served as a Senior Manager Europe and where she has acquired strong experience of broadband policies as well as extensive links with internet and tech stakeholders.
Maarit also had direct experience of the telecoms business during her 6 years at Cisco and has developed a strong service-oriented, hands-on profile acquired in leading consultancies Interel and Schuman Associates.
She also has a strong European academic background from the College of Europe, LSE, King’s College and SciencesPo. Maarit is a Finnish national, she also speaks English and French.
Aarti Holla has been Secretary General of the ESOA since 2004. She was named one of the Faces of Satellite of 2014 by the Society of Satellite Professionals International and is Member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Space Technology.
Under Aarti’s leadership, ESOA & the CEOs of its member companies lead the effort to showcase the benefits of satellite communications for a more inclusive and secure society and foster a better environment to allow users to profit from satellite services that are available anywhere, anytime – vital to bridging the world’s digital divide and achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Since joining the association, Aarti has lead the expansion of ESOA from a European association to one that represents the interests of 20 global and regional satellite operators based in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. She reports directly to their Chief Executives.
Aarti has twenty years’ experience in the aerospace industry, starting at Daimler-Benz Aerospace (now Airbus) in Germany. In 2000, she moved to Brussels, representing Airbus interests in the European satellite navigation program: Galileo.
Aarti holds a Masters of Business Administration from HEC, France & Stern Business School, NYC, USA. She qualified as Solicitor of the Supreme Court in the UK in 1995, holding a 2:1 graded LLB Hons Law with German Law degree from King’s College, University of London & the University of Passau, Germany. Aarti is of British-Indian origin and holds British and Belgian nationalities. She lives in Brussels, has 3 children and speaks 5 languages.
Tobías Martínez is the Chief Executive Officer of the company. He joined Acesa Telecom (today Cellnex Telecom) in 2000 first as a Director and General Manager of Tradia and, later, of Retevisión, with the aim of developing and leading Acesa’s diversification project in the infrastructure sector telecommunications.
Since 2015, he has been the CEO of Cellnex Telecom, leading, as Chief Executive, the profound process of transformation of a practically local telecommunications operator with activities in Spain, which has become, in just five years, the main European infrastructure manager of telecommunications with activities in 12 European markets.
Tobías studied Telecommunications Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Catalunya, has a Diploma in Senior Management from IESE, and a Diploma in Marketing Management from the Superior Marketing Institute of Barcelona.
Presentation: Announcement and overview of EIB study on Access to Finance to support Investments in 5G Service innovation and take-up
Shiva Dustdar, Head of Division, Innovation Finance Advisory, European Investment Bank
Panel Discussion: Investment in 5G Infrastructure and Applications – maximising the benefits of a ‘once in a lifetime’ funding opportunity
The new EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) provides an unprecedented level of public financing (€750 billion) to kick-start the relaunch of the economy and boost private investments in key sectors and technologies. In this context, investments in 5G have been made a priority and will constitute a large part of the €130 billion targeted to digital for the period 2021-2023. It will accelerate the infrastructure deployment in ‘challenge’ areas (e.g. rural areas, 5G communities, along roads and railways) and pave the way to ‘advanced 5G’ and 6G. At the same time, the EU aims at boosting the new use cases and new ecosystems that are key for digital transformation using not only R&D instruments but also venture capital funding. This session will look at how this can be best achieved using the full range of EU programmes and which are the areas that can benefit most from the funding that is available. It will look at the role that the RRF can play in stimulating broader public and private investment in 5G moving forward, and at the potential that this once in a lifetime opportunity offers to unleash the power of 5G.
Shiva Dustdar has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry working for large private and public institutions in New York, London and Luxembourg. Since joining EIB in 2003, she has worked in risk management, lending and investing in innovative companies and currently heads the Innovation Finance Advisory (IFA) Division in the EIB which she was tasked to set up in 2013. IFA has 2 units covering project advisory and thematic finance providing access to finance advice to public and private entities, performing market studies and developing new financial products to meet the financing needs across the innovation spectrum to support smart, green and healthy growth.
(https://www.eib.org/en/products/advising/innovfin-advisory)
Shiva started her career in 1993 at J.P. Morgan Investment Banking in New York working in M&A, Project Finance and Emerging Markets before joining Fitch Rating Agency in 1999 to set up its European High Yield rating business.
Shiva holds a BA in Economics from Columbia University and an Executive MBA from London Business School (LBS). Shiva co-founded the European High Yield Association (EHYA), which is now part of the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) and was nominated to Top 50 Women in Credit by Credit Magazine in 2006. She is a regular speaker on innovation and impact financing, gender smart investing, digital and green financing and actively engaged in networks that promote sustainable and mission oriented financing.
Information to be available shortly.
Harald is an Italian national and the head of the Digital Infrastructure Division in the Projects Directorate of the European Investment Bank. He oversees a team of experts involved in project appraisal in the digital economy and space sectors and also works on the Bank’s business strategy with respect to the financing of broadband infrastructure, innovation policy and the digital economy in general. Harald has also contributed to work related to the contribution of SMEs towards the innovation policy of the Bank as well as the role of start-up companies, in addition to leading the Bank’s technical appraisal team in the assessment of financing of SME and start-up companies with special reference to digitalisation.
Harald has a considerable record of accomplishments in the scientific sphere, working most recently on formulating proposals for a digital industrial policy. He has also published articles in journals as well as books and he is on the editorial board of a number of academic journals. He formerly held a post as Professor of Telecommunication Economics at Bocconi University.
Luigi Ardito is currently working as Director of government affairs for Europe, Middle East and North Africa at Qualcomm and drive 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 gained also 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.
Susanne is involved in all phases of the investment process from preliminary evaluation to assisting management during the investment period. She has been with Bosch group since 1999 and gathered expertise in diverse business units in automotive, as well as, industrial automation. Prior to this position she worked for Corporate Strategy in the Robert Bosch headquarter, based in Stuttgart. Susanne holds a Diploma degree in Physics from the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technical University Aachen and attended the Business MBA Program at the San Jose State University. She is fluent in German, English, and has a basic knowledge of Korean.
Adrien Bresson is ingénieur des Mines, and is a graduate of l’école Polytechnique and l’école des Mines de Paris.
He began his career in 2016 at the regional direction of the Ministry for the Environnement in Normandy region, as head of the service in charge of industrial and natural risk prevention.
He then joined the Directorate General for Enterprises in 2019 as Network and Security Project Director. He is in charge of public policy in cybersecurity and networks equipments, and the elaboration of 5G national strategy within French national Recovery plan.
Stage 1 – 5G MmWave deployment – State of play in Europe – Hosted by Qualcomm
Stage 2 – Developing Competitive Advantage via your Spectrum Strategy – A Playbook for Operators and Regulators – Hosted by LYA
Stage 3 – 5G and cities: Why collaboration and connectivity is key to smart transportation success – Hosted by Ericsson
All around the world, countries and regions are battling for digital supremacy and to be seen as leading the way in the development of 5G and other key technologies. Whilst Europe is arguably currently well positioned in the international technological race, the potential to address the broader value chain is clear. Europe is home of two of the 3 big equipment suppliers, is blessed with world-class researchers and science labs, a thriving and innovative start-up community, and arguably the most highly skilled and developed vertical markets in the world. As we enter the era of 5G, and already start to look further ahead to B5G and even 6G, this session will look at how policymakers and industry can come together and form strategic alliances to harness some of these key competitive advantages. It will look at the best way forward to enable Europe to keep control of its digital destiny and set course for a more sustainable, inclusive, and world-leading digital future.
Marc Eschenburg has worked in the telecoms industry since 2008 advising fixed and mobile operators as well as regulators and other government bodies on a wide range of commercial, technical and regulatory issues. He has been very active in the area of radio spectrum policy, advising more than 30 operators worldwide on their spectrum strategy and assisting them to value spectrum ahead of spectrum auctions. In addition, he has worked with regulators and industry bodies on key spectrum management issues, including work on incentive pricing, forecasting future spectrum demand and identifying measures of efficient spectrum use. Further to his work on spectrum, Marc advises clients ahead of major market transactions and has carried out various projects on next-generation broadband as well as in the TV and media space. Marc holds a Masters in Infonomics from Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
Bernard Barani graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications de Bretagne in 1982. He then worked as communications engineer in industry on military infrared systems and then with the European Space Agency on advanced satcom programmes.
In 1994, he joined the European Commission and was responsible for implementation of research and policy issues in wireless communication, Internet, audio visual systems, Software and Services. He has been Deputy head of unit for research and policy in the field of Internet of Things systems.
He is currently Acting head of unit in charge of research and innovation on Network Technologies in the CONNECT Directorate General of the European Commission. He is responsible for the definition and implementation of the research strategy related to future networks under the 5G Public Private Partnership and to systems based on connected objects (IoT) in support of EU industry competitiveness. He is also responsible for the 5G/IoT standardisation and IPR related work.
Matti Latva-aho received the M.Sc., Lic.Tech. and Dr. Tech (Hons.) degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oulu, Finland in 1992, 1996 and 1998, respectively. From 1992 to 1993, he was a Research Engineer at Nokia Mobile Phones, Oulu, Finland after which he joined Centre for Wireless Communications (CWC) at the University of Oulu. Prof. Latva-aho was Director of CWC during the years 1998-2006 and Head of Department for Communication Engineering until August 2014. Currently he serves as Academy of Finland Professor in 2017 – 2022 and is Director for National 6G Flagship Programme for 2018 – 2026. His research interests are related to mobile broadband communication systems and currently his group focuses on beyond 5G systems research. Prof. Latva-aho has published close to 500 conference or journal papers in the field of wireless communications. He received Nokia Foundation Award in 2015 for his achievements in mobile communications research.
Colin has detailed knowledge and experience of the telecommunications industry having worked directly or indirectly with many of the major players over a 28-year period. The roles have included software developer, technical consultant, technical marketing, standardization and management. The software development has been at both the project and product levels including responsible for customer relations and software QA procedures. The management has been at project, program, group and competence area level, often involving multi-site and multi-country responsibilities.
In addition to line manager roles, he has participated extensively in standardization activities at ETSI, ITU-T and 3GPP, including instrumental work in creating and developing the TTCN-3 testing language. Colin has also been very active in the European research ecosystem, including leading a number of award winning European projects such as TT-Medal, D-MINT and SEMAFOUR. Colin is currently head of Radio Network Standardization at Nokia and in addition is also the chairman of the board of the 5G Infrastructure Association.
Dr Diego R. Lopez joined Telefonica I+D in 2011 as a Senior Technology Expert, and is currently in charge of the Technology Exploration activities within the GCTIO Unit. Before joining Telefónica he spent some years in the academic sector, dedicated to research on network services, and was appointed member of the High-Level Expert Group on Scientific Data Infrastructures by the European Commission.
Diego is currently focused on applied research in network infrastructures, with a special emphasis on virtualization, data-driven management, new architectures, and security. Diego chairs the ETSI ISG on Permissioned Distributed Ledgers and the Network Operator Council ETSI ISG on Network Function Virtualization.
Apart from this, Diego is a more than acceptable Iberian ham carver, and extremely fond of seeking and enjoying comics, and good discussions on any (in)appropriate matter.
More can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr2lopez/
Dr. Wen Tong is the CTO, Huawei Wireless. He is the head of Huawei wireless research. In 2011, Dr. Tong was appointed the Head of Communications Technologies Labs of Huawei, currently, he is the Huawei 5G chief scientist and led Huawei’s 10-year-long 5G wireless technologies research and development.
Prior to joining Huawei in 2009, Dr. Tong was the Nortel Fellow and head of the Network Technology Labs at Nortel. He joined the Wireless Technology Labs at Bell Northern Research in 1995 in Canada.
Dr. Tong is the industry recognized leader in invention of advanced wireless technologies, Dr. Tong was elected as a Huawei Fellow and an IEEE Fellow. He was the recipient of IEEE Communications Society Industry Innovation Award in 2014, and IEEE Communications Society Distinguished Industry Leader Award for “pioneering technical contributions and leadership in the mobile communications industry and innovation in 5G mobile communications technology” in 2018. He is also the recipient of R.A. Fessenden Medal. For the past three decades, he had pioneered fundamental technologies from 1G to 5G wireless and Wi-Fi with more than 470 granted US patents.
Dr. Tong is a Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering, and he serves as Board of Director of Wi-Fi Alliance.
As 5G rollout and digital transformation initiatives accelerate both in Europe and across the world, it is vital that a clear and co-ordinated strategy is in place to ensure that cyber security and privacy protection remain a top priority. In recent years, the European Union has been seen as leading the way in this area, implementing several initiatives in order to develop trust and cooperation across member states. With the review of the NIS Directive expected before the end of 2020, and with us now being one year on from the launch of the EU toolbox on 5G Cybersecurity, this session will look at the extent to which these these and other key policy instruments can come together to ensure the security and resilience of Europe’s 5G networks.
Visiola follows cybersecurity regulation at EU level and national cybersecurity developments in the UK and Ireland. At EU level, she focuses on initiatives such as the NIS Directive, 5G security and the EU cybersecurity act. Visiola joined Cullen International in July 2015, after graduating from the University of Hamburg in EU Law and Affairs.
Goran Milenkovic comes from ENISA, the EU Agency for Cybersecurity, where he works as a cybersecurity expert in the Policy Development and Implementation unit, primarily in the domain of telecom security. Goran has led ENISA activities in supporting European Commission and MS in developing the 5G Toolbox and is currently coordinating ENISA efforts on supporting the toolbox implementation process. He brings two decades of experience in design, implementation and management of secure information systems and policies, in both private and public sector.
Miguel González-Sancho is since July 2018 Head of the Unit “Cybersecurity Technology and Capacity Building” at the European Commission, where he has worked for over 20 years, mainly on EU policy and R&D&I programmes relating to digital technologies, and before on telecoms regulation and trade policy. His previous responsibilities in the Commission included Head of Unit for eHealth, Head of Unit for Administration and Finance, Deputy Head of Unit for Policy Coordination, Deputy Head of the Unit for eInclusion, and member of cabinet of a European Commission Vice-President. Miguel holds degrees in law, international relations, business administration, accounting and auditing.
The Luxembourg-based satellite operator on public affairs and regulatory matters with the European Union (EU), the CEPT, the Council of Europe and the ITU, under the responsibility of the SES General Counsel. He‘s now responsible for SES regulatory affairs (advocacy and licensing) in Europe, Africa and Middle East.
Cécil looks back at more than 20 years of experience in dealing with regulatory affairs, specialised in ICT regulations for media and telecommunications. His dedicated expertise covers the supervision and impact of telecoms legislations and spectrum policies, in the context of increased liberalisation in radio frequency management and usage.
Cécil has been the chairperson of the working group on regulation in ESOA (EMEA Satellite Operators Association) for several years. In this capacity, he represents the satellite sector for the development of electronic communications regulation in Europe, Africa and Middle East, and he defends the interests of the space industry in multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations between the EU and the rest of the world.
As an active member of the Global VSAT Forum (GVF), Cécil Ameil is also contributing to the coordination of the satellite sector‘s efforts to defend access to and usage of essential radio spectrum at regional and ITU levels (including for WRCs).
A French national living in Belgium for years, Cécil is married and the father of 3 boys. He performs theatre and music as amateur.
Mikko Karikytö is the Chief Product Security Officer (CPSO) & Head of Product Security for Ericsson with accountability for security requirements, standards, strategy and architecture, related to product development and management, and overall accountability of product security and product privacy.
He is senior advisor on Product and Solution Security to the CTO, and other executive Ericsson leaders. Mikko has previously worked as Head of Network Security and Head of PSIRT (Product Security Incident Response Team) responding, investigating and solving cyber security incidents and breaches with Ericsson customers globally.
Mikko has also engaged in industry collaboration through organizations like ETIS, FIRST and EU Commission work groups. He has also provided Subject Matter Expertise for committee hearings of the UK parliament and the German Bundestag in 5G Security.
More information available shortly.
Stage 1 – Nokia’s vision on 6G: the perspective of a European global player – Hosted by Nokia
Stage 2 – Taking verticals from 5G towards 6G – Hosted by Huawei
Stage 3 – Building the future European 5G networks with OpenRAN – Hosted by Facebook
As we begin to emerge from the Covid-19 crisis, all around the world, Governments are looking to put into place a recovery strategy built around 2 core principles – technology and sustainability. 5G and related technologies such as AI, IoT and SuperComputing are seen as being a key part of this and of building a safer more sustainable future for us all. At the same time however, there are also concerns about the environmental impact of 5G, and the amount of energy consumed by the additional infrastructure that is required to cope with the 5G era. This session will look at both sides of the coin. As 5G adoption around the world continues, it will look at the best way forward to manage growth in a sustainable way in order to minimise the initial environmental impact. And then moving forward, it will look at how the power of 5G can be harnessed to help us emerge from the pandemic stronger, and accelerate the EU’s trajectory towards a greener, safer future for us all.
Phil specialises in strategic planning, corporate development and strategic marketing consulting. He brings over 20 years’ experience in TMT and energy/clean tech both as a consultant and business leader. Prior to heading up STL’s consulting business, Philip set up a successful home energy efficiency business and was the project director with the Carbon Trust, launching a new commercial initiative: the low carbon workplace. He is a fluent French speaker. MSc (LSE), MA (Cambridge).
More information available shortly.
More information available shortly.
Paolo Gemma is a senior Specialist and representative of Huawei on issues related to energy saving and environmental sustainability.
Prior to joining Huawei, Dr. Gemma was working with Nokia Siemens Networks, where he was responsible for EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) and electrical safety areas. He also worked in the Siemens Communications Division. Dr. Paolo Gemma also plays an active role in international standardization activities. Since 1993, he has been engaged in ETSI (European Telecommunication Standard Institute) activities and he also participates in the development of EMC standards.
In 1997, Dr. Gemma joined ITU-T Study Group 5 on Environment, Climate Change and Circular Economy as a Rapporteur and he is now the Chairman of Working Party 2 “Environment, Energy Efficiency and the Circular Economy”. He also acts as Vice-chairmen of the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative.
In 2002, Paolo Gemma was appointed as the Secretary of the Committee ETSI TC EE and as of 2009 he holds the position of Chairman of the EEPS EE (eco Environmental product standard) working group. Paolo Gemma is a graduate in electrical engineering from the University of Genoa.
More information available shortly.
As part of her State of the Union Address in September 2020, President von der Leyen set out the European Commission’s recommendations on a common European toolbox of best practices aimed at “…reducing the cost of deploying very high capacity networks and ensuring timely and investment-friendly access to 5G radio spectrum”. Member states are now required to deliver a national roadmap for the implementation of this toolbox by April 2021. With the situation across Europe currently very mixed and many member states behind the schedules set out for both 5G network deployment and spectrum allocation, this session will look at the extent to which this toolbox will help to address this, and at how stakeholders across Europe need to come together in order to keep the European Commission’s 5G Action Plan on track.
Amit has over 20 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, North America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Amit holds an M.Sc. in Radio Frequency and Communications Engineering from the University of Bradford and an M.B.A. from the University of Warwick, UK.
Stefan Zehle is the co-founder and CEO of Coleago. He has 29 years’ experience in telecoms consulting and as Director of a mobile operating company. He specialises in strategy and business planning, spectrum related issues such as spectrum policy, valuation and auctions, and telecoms regulatory topics. He gained his experience working in developed markets in Europe, Canada and the US and also in emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East.
As Director of Strategy, Marketing and Regulatory Affairs, Stefan launched the third mobile operator in Algeria. He developed the strategy, designed the organisation chart, recruited other Directors and 200 staff, built the Sales and Marketing department, oversaw the development of distribution and the offer, and managed the brand creation. He also successfully challenged the regulatory status quo, transforming the interconnect landscape in Algeria by introducing best practice interconnect agreements for the first time. He filed regulatory complaints, winning million dollar cost savings.
Stefan is also the co-author of “Guide to Business Planning”, published by “The Economist”, now in its second edition (“Outstanding Academic Title, 2009” awarded by Choice, the US academic reviewers) and is an experienced conference speaker, chairing the Ministerial Programme session at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Stefan holds an MBA (with distinction) awarded by the University of Westminster in 1991 and speaks French, English, and German.
Carlota Reyners Fontana is Head of Unit of the Electronic Communications Policy unit in DG Connect at the European Commission. The unit is in charge of developing policy and regulatory initiatives in the field of Electronic Communications. The unit is actively involved in shaping the future electronic communications agenda. Previously Carlota has been leading the unit for Investments in High Capacity Networks (including developing the policy on Connecting Europe Facility and the WiFi4EU voucher scheme). Until December 2017, Carlota was Deputy Head of the Radio Spectrum Policy unit from where she led the proposals and the negotiations of the access regulation, spectrum and universal service of the European Electronic Communications Code. In 2012 – 2014, she was Member of cabinet of Vice-President Neelie Kroes, Commissioner responsible for Digital Agenda under the Barroso II Commission. She has previously worked in the Commission’s Competition Directorate General as well as a competition lawyer in a leading European telecommunications company and a Brussels based international law firm. She holds a law degree from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and a Master in European law from the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
More information to be added shortly.
Matthieu Agogué was appointed Deputy Head of Group regulatory affairs at Orange in November 2017.
Mr Agogué began his career at the French telecom regulatory authority (ARCEP), in charge of market analysis and operational development of broadband markets, before being appointed and then appointed as Head of Unit in charge of models and tariffs until 2012. From 2012 through 2014, he held the position of Advisor in the Cabinet of Mrs Pellerin, French Minister for SMEs, Innovation and Digital economy, where he contributed to the national digital planning policy. He then joined Société Générale as a Mergers and Acquisitions Banker. In 2016, he joined the Orange Group with responsibility for the anticipation and coordination of regulatory affairs within the Group regulatory affairs division, and then went on as acting Director of regulatory affairs for France. Since 2018, he represents also Orange in GSMA’s Policy Group Europe.
Born in 1981, Matthieu Agogué is a graduate of the École Normale Supérieure (ENS, 2001) and Telecom Paris Tech (2006).
Launched in 2012, the original Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) was instrumental in shaping EU communications policy and setting the direction for the development of 4G networks across the continent. As we now move into the 5G era, the European Commission has signalled its intention to this year establish a new RSPP, and to provide a future-looking roadmap to illustrate how spectrum can best support broader European policy prioirites up until 2030. The process of consultation on this has already begun, with the RSPG due to release an opinion on this by June 2021 (with an initial draft expected in Q1). This session will discuss the main pillars and focusses that are under consideration for inclusion as part of the programme, and at how recent policy, regulatory and technological developments can be integrated into this. As the journey continues to 5G and beyond, it will look at the connectivity challenges that still remain, and at how the RSPP can deliver a roadmap to support gigabit connectivity throughout Europe going forward.
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.
Andreas Geiss is Head of Unit for Spectrum Policy in DG CONNECT of the European Commission. He has been working for the European Commission since 2002 in various positions. His responsibilities included mobile communications, the Radio Spectrum Policy Programme and negotiations with the Member States in different settings. Before joining the European Commission he worked for the European Radiocommunications Office (ERO), where he was project leader for projects dealing with terrestrial and satellite communications and setting up the ECO Frequency Information System (EFIS). He has been involved in the European preparations for World Radiocommunications Conferences since 1995. Andreas has a master’s degree in electrical engineering and started his professional career in 1991 at the German Regulatory Authority in the area of telecommunications.
Jonas Wessel is Director of the Spectrum 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. 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.
Guillaume is a Public Policy Manager in Facebook’s Connectivity & Access group focusing on global spectrum policy issues. Guillaume is focusing on how different technologies like 5G, WiFi and satellites can help solve the world’s connectivity challenges. Guillaume has more than 10 years of experience in the spectrum management arena, working previously at Airbus and Qualcomm. Guillaume received a PhD from Victoria University (Melbourne, Australia) and an Engineering Degree from Telecom Paris (Paris, France).
Mohaned Juwad is responsible for assisting Intelsat’s strategic long-term spectrum position in the marketplace. In his role, he works closely with the company’s vice president on corporate and spectrum strategy and the spectrum strategy team to analyze and identify emerging spectrum opportunities and risks for Intelsat. In addition, he is responsible for managing efforts from Europe, Middle East and Africa that protect, optimize and leverage the company’s spectrum assets in support of Intelsat’s broader long-term growth strategy.
Dr Juwad has over 10 years’ experience within the satellite industry where he held various roles in the past. Prior to rejoining Intelsat in 2016, Dr Juwad served as manager, regulatory licensing and market access, at Avanti Communications Group Plc where he was responsible for managing and acquiring licensing and authorization for Ka-band geostationary satellite services across Europe, Middle East and the Africa region, in addition to overseeing regulatory activities at the ITU, CEPT, and other regulatory bodies. Before that, he worked as a consultant where he worked in ESA funded projects to develop the DVB-S2 standard operating in Ka-band, and also developed Ka-band mortised terminals where he was instrumental in developing a commercial self-aligned antenna.
Dr Juwad earned a Philosophy of Doctorate (PhD) from Isambard Kingdom Brunel University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering at Herefordshire University.
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) is the world’s leading provider of satellite services, delivering high-performance connectivity solutions for media, fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure, enterprise and government and military applications for more than 50 years. Intelsat’s satellite, teleport and fibre infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video and broadband services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and mobile broadband access, with Intelsat, envision your future network, connect using our leading satellite technology.
Stephen is 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 a policy environment that supports network investment and innovation, digital inclusion and sustainable competition in fixed and mobile networks across each of Vodafone’s markets.
Stephen is a co-chair of the GSMA FREQ group which advocates on mobile spectrum licensing and regulatory policy for Europe.
Stephen studied Engineering at Cambridge University and worked previously in the Japanese technology sector and internationally as a strategy consultant to the telecom and media sector.
Stage 1: Project Darwin: the evolution of nextgen vehicle connectivity – Hosted by ESOA
Stage 2: 5G implementation in non EU countries in Europe – Hosted by ITU
Stage 3: How SES enables 5G with cloud connectivity – Hosted by SES
5G actions have now been taking place across Europe for quite some time in the 700 MHz, 3.6 GHz, and 26 GHz bands. But Covid and a number of other factors have led to considerable delays across some countries, and the situation regarding the award and allocation of these bands is quite varied. In countries that awards have taken place, there is also a variety of different licencing models being seen, and particularly regarding the allocation of spectrum for private 5G networks. This session will look at where we are with regards to the rollout of spectrum that is needed for 5G in the short term. As the 5G spectrum environment starts to emerge, it will look at the different approaches, themes and trends that are being seen across member states, and at what ultimately is the best way forward to meet the connectivity requirements of the huge number of different use cases that are being seen.
Ms. Lemay has more than 30 years of experience in the industry and is a recognized expert in telecommunications and broadcasting. Her expertise covers development of business plans, valuation, due diligence, spectrum matters and market research. Ms. Lemay has supported clients in the US, Europe, North Africa, Latin America and Canada.
Ms. Lemay is the lead consultant for Private Auctions conducted by LYA for clients disposing of spectrum licenses and other assets.
Ms. Lemay is actively involved in consultations for the development of public policy. She has acted as an Expert Witness in regulatory proceedings and litigations. Recent expert evidence mandates were focused on broadband subsidies in rural and remote areas, wireless siting, mid-band 5G spectrum, national roaming, television and over-the-top services, benchmarking investment in broadband and the regulatory framework for MVNOs.
She has supported clients in successfully acquiring subsidy funds for broadband deployment in rural areas.
She is co-leader of the development of the LYA Auction Platforms that support Combinatorial Clock Auctions (CCA), Simultaneous Multiple Round Ascending (SMRA) Auctions, Sealed Bid Auctions as well as Clock Auctions.
Prior to co-founding LYA, Ms. Lemay held a number of positions in marketing and product management with Nortel Networks. Ms. Lemay holds an Engineering Physics degree from Laval University and an MBA, Executive Option, from Concordia University in Montreal.
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. She attended the World Radio Conference WRC- 15 in November 2015 as a Deputy Head of Delegation. Since 2016 she is head of Mobile department in AKOS leading preparation for 700 MHz multiband Auction and 5G initiative project.
More information available shortly.
Cristina is the Director of Spectrum information and analysis, Spectrum Group at Ofcom. Cristina currently leads the Spectrum Mobile Data Strategy programme with a particular focus on assessing the implications of growing demand. Prior to working on 5G, Cristina led the development of a new spectrum sharing framework, and launched Ofcom open data policy. In particular Cristina was responsible for the release of the UK Interactive spectrum map and the release of information on spectrum use in open format. Prior to joining Ofcom Cristina held various marketing and strategy roles at Telefonica O2, EE (then Orange), and Ericsson (then Red Bee Media). Cristina holds a Master Degree in Management Engineering from the Politecnico di Torino university in Italy.
Stuart is Director of Spectrum & Industry Affairs at Samsung and chair of the GSA’s Global Spectrum Team. Stuart has enjoyed diverse experience in both corporations and start-ups on the road to 5G, since he entered the industry as part of the UK government’s 3G auction team. Other roles have included: membership of Nokia’s global 3G technology and regulatory team; European regulatory and standards lead for 4G pioneer start up Flarion Technologies; part of Qualcomm’s European management and business development team for 4G, internet services, privacy and wireless power for electric vehicles and business development and marketing lead at wireless energy harvesting start-up Drayson Technologies.
Ira Keltz is Deputy Chief of the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology.
OET is the Commission’s primary resource for engineering expertise and provides technical support to the Chairman, Commissioners and FCC Bureaus and Offices. Mr. Keltz is responsible for developing national spectrum policies for the United States telecommunications industry. This includes allocating spectrum for licensed services, setting technical rules for unlicensed devices, and implementing procedures for equipment certification.
Mr. Keltz has totaled almost 24 years at the FCC spanning two separate stints. In addition to positions in OET, he has held various positions in the Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Mr. Keltz has also worked for the law firm DLA Piper as well as Loral Advanced Projects and LSA, Inc. He earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the George Washington University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Deputy Governor of Radio Spectrum, Communication and Information Technology Commission, Saudi Arabia Mohammed has over 15 years of experience in the field of spectrum policy. He has been involved in many national and international spectrum management activities including overseeing 4G and 5G spectrum auctions, reviewing spectrum policies for a number of countries in collaboration with ITU BDT and drafting Saudi Arabia’s National Spectrum Strategy 2020-2025.
He has academic and applied background in the area of quantitative policy analysis, technology and decision making, where he authored a number of papers and reports, taught courses, conducted workshops and provided consultancy and advisory services for several organizations. Mohammed holds a MSc and a PhD, in Engineering and Public Policy, from Carnegie Mellon University. He also holds a MSc from University of Pennsylvania and a BSc from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, both in Electrical Engineering.
As we have just seen, work across Europe is continuing on the award and allocation of spectrum in the pioneer bands. At the same time however, attention is already moving on to other options to provide the required connectivity for 5G and beyond. A range of different bands have been discussed as options to be considered for this (600MHz, 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz, 3.8 – 4.2GHz, 6GHz, 10GHz, 28GHz, 40GHz, 66GHz amongst them). As we look further ahead, technological advances could also mean that there will be options available to start exploring the use of bands in frequency ranges that have never been considered before, for example in the THz range). This session will look at the challenges and opportunities that are offered by some of these bands, and at which offer the most realistic options to provide the required large contiguous blocks of spectrum that are required for 5G. It will discuss the amount of additional spectrum that is truly required to meet current and future demands for connectivity and enable Europe, and at how this can be identified in a way that also takes into account the needs of other key users.
Mr. Yates has over 30 years of experience in the telecom industry and is an expert in spectrum auctions, 5G-spectrum and broadband strategy, licensing, financial modeling, telecom and licensing policy and regulation as well as wireless and network technologies. His consulting experience includes projects in the US, Canada, Europe, North Africa and Australia.
Mr. Yates has supported bidders through the entire spectrum auction process, from the initial public consultation, to bidder training, simulations and mock auctions, game analysis, bid tactics and in-bid room support. Mr. Yates is co-leader of the development of the LYA Auction Platforms that support Combinatorial Clock Auctions (CCA), Simultaneous Multiple Round Ascending (SMRA) Auctions, Sealed Bid Auctions as well as Clock Auctions. He has also developed the LYA Auction Management Tools used to manage round-by-round bidding and decision-making.
Branimir is responsible for developing and implementing EU-level policy initiatives with focus on wireless broadband and 5G. These relate to the harmonised and flexible use of spectrum, in particular for mobile broadband and vertical applications as well as a long-term strategy for the long-term use of UHF broadcasting spectrum.
Branimir has been working with the European Commission since 2008. He started his professional career in 1995 at the Vodafone Chair for Mobile Communications Systems at the Dresden University, Germany. From 2000 until 2008 he worked with the companies Philips, Qimonda and Signalion in Germany in the area of wireless equipment design, manufacturing and marketing.
Branimir has a PhD degree in mobile communications from the Dresden University. He has contributions to Wi-Fi standardisation.
BNE is based in Brussels and represents the commercial interests of Terrestrial Broadcast Network Operators in 21 European countries with regard to policy developments and regulatory intervention by European Institutions, ITU and other organisations. Focus is to secure long-term availability of adequate spectrum for the terrestrial broadcast platforms and nurturing the long-term market opportunity for content distribution via the terrestrial broadcast networks. Mr Backlund has a professional background in the satellite industry with the Swedish Space Corporation and as a representative of the Swedish Government on the communications satellite board of the European Space Agency. He has also been a consultant to the World Bank on various communications system study missions. Mr Backlund has recently held several leading positions at Teracom (the Swedish operator of the TV and Radio terrestrial distribution networks) including international business development, strategic planning and regulatory affairs including responsibilities for liaison with Swedish Government Departments and Swedish National Regulatory Authorities. Lars Backlund has a Master’s Degree in telecommunications and microwave engineering and also diplomas from executive programmes at the Swedish Institute of Management and from various courses at INSEAD.
Luciana Camargos is the GSMA’s Senior Director of Future Spectrum. She is responsible for the coordination and application of mobile industry positions on spectrum plans and is the manager of the future spectrum team, which looks after the GSMA’s WRC and ITU-R activity. She is also responsible for the GSMA’s Future Spectrum Group, the global committee of industry experts focused on future spectrum issues for mobile.
She is a specialist with long experience in mobile telecommunications and spectrum policy. In 2012, Luciana joined GSMA Brazil, after having worked in the UK for consulting firm Access Partnership from 2009.
Prior to this, Luciana worked at Brazilian regulator Anatel, in its Technical Advisory Unit on strategic spectrum planning. Luciana is still an active participant in Brazilian planning processes for spectrum and ITU activity and is active in shaping the future of mobile services at international fora such as the ITU, CITEL, CEPT and other multilateral organisations.
Mohaned Juwad is responsible for assisting Intelsat’s strategic long-term spectrum position in the marketplace. In his role, he works closely with the company’s vice president on corporate and spectrum strategy and the spectrum strategy team to analyze and identify emerging spectrum opportunities and risks for Intelsat. In addition, he is responsible for managing efforts from Europe, Middle East and Africa that protect, optimize and leverage the company’s spectrum assets in support of Intelsat’s broader long-term growth strategy.
Dr Juwad has over 10 years’ experience within the satellite industry where he held various roles in the past. Prior to rejoining Intelsat in 2016, Dr Juwad served as manager, regulatory licensing and market access, at Avanti Communications Group Plc where he was responsible for managing and acquiring licensing and authorization for Ka-band geostationary satellite services across Europe, Middle East and the Africa region, in addition to overseeing regulatory activities at the ITU, CEPT, and other regulatory bodies. Before that, he worked as a consultant where he worked in ESA funded projects to develop the DVB-S2 standard operating in Ka-band, and also developed Ka-band mortised terminals where he was instrumental in developing a commercial self-aligned antenna.
Dr Juwad earned a Philosophy of Doctorate (PhD) from Isambard Kingdom Brunel University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering at Herefordshire University.
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) is the world’s leading provider of satellite services, delivering high-performance connectivity solutions for media, fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure, enterprise and government and military applications for more than 50 years. Intelsat’s satellite, teleport and fibre infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video and broadband services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and mobile broadband access, with Intelsat, envision your future network, connect using our leading satellite technology.
Closing reception hosted by EWIA – live entertainment and a final networking opportunity, plus the opportunity to hear from key stakeholders on their conclusions and takeaways from the event.
Pearse O’Donohue is Director for the Future Networks Directorate of DG CONNECT at the European Commission, dealing with policy development and research supporting the Digital Single Market as regards 5G networks, IoT, cloud and data flows and conceptualising new and innovative approaches towards service platforms and Next Generation Internet. Before becoming Director, Pearse was Head of the Cloud and Software Unit in DG CONNECT, dealing with the strategic development and implementation of policy on cloud computing and software.
Until October 2014, Pearse was Deputy Head of Cabinet of Vice-President Neelie Kroes, previous European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda. He was responsible for advising the Vice-President on the development and implementation of policy on electronic communications, networks and services, as well as broadband, spectrum and other related policies such as Internet governance.
Before that, Pearse was Head of the Radio Spectrum Policy Unit in the European Commission, DG CONNECT.
Prior to joining the European Commission, Pearse held posts in the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU in Brussels, and as Assistant Director of the Brussels office of the Irish Business & Employers’ Confederation.
Adopted in 2016, the existing 5G Action Plan set a number of key targets for 5G deployment across member states and provided a roadmap for how to achieve these. 4 years on, the investment environment has changed massively with the COVID-19 pandemic and public funds launched to enable Europe’s recovery. Against this background, the Commission is consulting on a ‘5G Action Plan Review’, with the aim of setting out new goals towards full 5G deployment as part of the planned Digital Decade Strategy. This session will discuss the current state of play regarding rollout and deployment in Europe, and the key issues that this review of the 5G Action Plan will address. Moving forward, it will look to identify the areas on which future European 5G policy should focus, and at the path forward to ensure that Europe’s 5G goals and objectives are fully achieved.
anette Stewart is a Principal at Analysys Mason, specialising in wireless technology, radio spectrum management and valuation. She has nearly 25 years’ experience of working in radio engineering, spectrum policy and spectrum management through 2G to 5G. She is based in Scotland, UK. Janette began her career working for the UK spectrum regulator (now Ofcom) where she held various roles, latterly Senior Spectrum Engineer in the 3G Auction Team, responsible for determining UK spectrum plans for the 3G licence award and interacting with CEPT and ITU working groups. Since joining Analysys Mason in 2001, her 17 years of consulting experience includes advising on market opportunities within the wireless sector, technology strategy, business planning, spectrum strategy, valuation and auctions. She has worked with a wide range of public and private sector clients including national regulatory authorities and policy makers, fixed and mobile network operators, broadcasters, equipment vendors, wireless industry trade associations and spectrum users. Recent projects have included advising on 5G strategy, valuation of spectrum in 700MHz and 2.3GHz bands, 5G readiness in different world markets (in a published report for US industry association, CTIA) and a study on benefits of extending mobile coverage in the UK. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Edinburgh, UK and a Master of Science degree in radio frequency engineering from the University of Bradford, UK.
Peter is managing the Commission’s policy on 5G communication systems and the related research and innovation programme.
Before his appointment as Head of Unit he was managing the office of the Director General of DG CONNECT, Roberto Viola, coordinating the Commission’s digital policy initiatives. The portfolio included Digital Single Market, Broadband Policy, Telecoms, Media and Online Policy, the Copyright Reform as well as the EU ICT Research and Innovation Programme.
Between 2010 and 2014 he had different roles in the Commission’s telecoms policy Directorate. These included Head of Sector “Spectrum Policy”, penholder of main elements of the Commission proposal on the Telecom Single Market and the Roaming regulation, and the implementation of the EU telecom rules in Germany and Austria.
Between 2005 and 2010 he coordinated the EU R&D programme leading to the 4G mobile communications standards.
Before joining the European Commission in 2004 he has occupied several engineering and management positions in industry, academia and start-ups. He holds engineering and doctoral degrees from RWTH Aachen University, Germany.
Michel Van Bellinghen, Master of Laws (UCL), started off at the university in 1990 as a researcher, then became an assistant under the supervision of Professor Françoise Tulkens, at the UCL Laws Centre for Criminal Law.
He became an assistant advisor at the Ministry of Justice in 1992 under the supervision of Professor Marc Bossuyt and joined the BIPT in 1997. From 1999 to 2003 he held the position of expert at the private office of Rik Daems, who was the Federal Telecommunications Minister at the time, and afterwards took up the function of Assistant Head of the Private Office. From 2003 until 2009 he was nominated Member of the BIPT Council for the first time. Following this mandate he remained closely affiliated to the Council and supervised the legal department of the regulator during a number of years. He has written scientific publications.
In 2013 he held a position on the Council as a Member. In January 2017 he was assigned Chairman of the BIPT Council. Michel Van Bellinghen has been elected to serve as Chair of BEREC in 2021.
Maarit has an extensive expertise in telecoms, broadband and internet matters. She joined ETNO from the Internet Society, where she served as a Senior Manager Europe and where she has acquired strong experience of broadband policies as well as extensive links with internet and tech stakeholders.
Maarit also had direct experience of the telecoms business during her 6 years at Cisco and has developed a strong service-oriented, hands-on profile acquired in leading consultancies Interel and Schuman Associates.
She also has a strong European academic background from the College of Europe, LSE, King’s College and SciencesPo. Maarit is a Finnish national, she also speaks English and French.
Aarti Holla has been Secretary General of the ESOA since 2004. She was named one of the Faces of Satellite of 2014 by the Society of Satellite Professionals International and is Member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Space Technology.
Under Aarti’s leadership, ESOA & the CEOs of its member companies lead the effort to showcase the benefits of satellite communications for a more inclusive and secure society and foster a better environment to allow users to profit from satellite services that are available anywhere, anytime – vital to bridging the world’s digital divide and achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Since joining the association, Aarti has lead the expansion of ESOA from a European association to one that represents the interests of 20 global and regional satellite operators based in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. She reports directly to their Chief Executives.
Aarti has twenty years’ experience in the aerospace industry, starting at Daimler-Benz Aerospace (now Airbus) in Germany. In 2000, she moved to Brussels, representing Airbus interests in the European satellite navigation program: Galileo.
Aarti holds a Masters of Business Administration from HEC, France & Stern Business School, NYC, USA. She qualified as Solicitor of the Supreme Court in the UK in 1995, holding a 2:1 graded LLB Hons Law with German Law degree from King’s College, University of London & the University of Passau, Germany. Aarti is of British-Indian origin and holds British and Belgian nationalities. She lives in Brussels, has 3 children and speaks 5 languages.
Tobías Martínez is the Chief Executive Officer of the company. He joined Acesa Telecom (today Cellnex Telecom) in 2000 first as a Director and General Manager of Tradia and, later, of Retevisión, with the aim of developing and leading Acesa’s diversification project in the infrastructure sector telecommunications.
Since 2015, he has been the CEO of Cellnex Telecom, leading, as Chief Executive, the profound process of transformation of a practically local telecommunications operator with activities in Spain, which has become, in just five years, the main European infrastructure manager of telecommunications with activities in 12 European markets.
Tobías studied Telecommunications Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Catalunya, has a Diploma in Senior Management from IESE, and a Diploma in Marketing Management from the Superior Marketing Institute of Barcelona.
Presentation: Announcement and overview of EIB study on Access to Finance to support Investments in 5G Service innovation and take-up
Shiva Dustdar, Head of Division, Innovation Finance Advisory, European Investment Bank
Panel Discussion: Investment in 5G Infrastructure and Applications – maximising the benefits of a ‘once in a lifetime’ funding opportunity
The new EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) provides an unprecedented level of public financing (€750 billion) to kick-start the relaunch of the economy and boost private investments in key sectors and technologies. In this context, investments in 5G have been made a priority and will constitute a large part of the €130 billion targeted to digital for the period 2021-2023. It will accelerate the infrastructure deployment in ‘challenge’ areas (e.g. rural areas, 5G communities, along roads and railways) and pave the way to ‘advanced 5G’ and 6G. At the same time, the EU aims at boosting the new use cases and new ecosystems that are key for digital transformation using not only R&D instruments but also venture capital funding. This session will look at how this can be best achieved using the full range of EU programmes and which are the areas that can benefit most from the funding that is available. It will look at the role that the RRF can play in stimulating broader public and private investment in 5G moving forward, and at the potential that this once in a lifetime opportunity offers to unleash the power of 5G.
Shiva Dustdar has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry working for large private and public institutions in New York, London and Luxembourg. Since joining EIB in 2003, she has worked in risk management, lending and investing in innovative companies and currently heads the Innovation Finance Advisory (IFA) Division in the EIB which she was tasked to set up in 2013. IFA has 2 units covering project advisory and thematic finance providing access to finance advice to public and private entities, performing market studies and developing new financial products to meet the financing needs across the innovation spectrum to support smart, green and healthy growth.
(https://www.eib.org/en/products/advising/innovfin-advisory)
Shiva started her career in 1993 at J.P. Morgan Investment Banking in New York working in M&A, Project Finance and Emerging Markets before joining Fitch Rating Agency in 1999 to set up its European High Yield rating business.
Shiva holds a BA in Economics from Columbia University and an Executive MBA from London Business School (LBS). Shiva co-founded the European High Yield Association (EHYA), which is now part of the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) and was nominated to Top 50 Women in Credit by Credit Magazine in 2006. She is a regular speaker on innovation and impact financing, gender smart investing, digital and green financing and actively engaged in networks that promote sustainable and mission oriented financing.
Information to be available shortly.
Harald is an Italian national and the head of the Digital Infrastructure Division in the Projects Directorate of the European Investment Bank. He oversees a team of experts involved in project appraisal in the digital economy and space sectors and also works on the Bank’s business strategy with respect to the financing of broadband infrastructure, innovation policy and the digital economy in general. Harald has also contributed to work related to the contribution of SMEs towards the innovation policy of the Bank as well as the role of start-up companies, in addition to leading the Bank’s technical appraisal team in the assessment of financing of SME and start-up companies with special reference to digitalisation.
Harald has a considerable record of accomplishments in the scientific sphere, working most recently on formulating proposals for a digital industrial policy. He has also published articles in journals as well as books and he is on the editorial board of a number of academic journals. He formerly held a post as Professor of Telecommunication Economics at Bocconi University.
Luigi Ardito is currently working as Director of government affairs for Europe, Middle East and North Africa at Qualcomm and drive 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 gained also 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.
Susanne is involved in all phases of the investment process from preliminary evaluation to assisting management during the investment period. She has been with Bosch group since 1999 and gathered expertise in diverse business units in automotive, as well as, industrial automation. Prior to this position she worked for Corporate Strategy in the Robert Bosch headquarter, based in Stuttgart. Susanne holds a Diploma degree in Physics from the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technical University Aachen and attended the Business MBA Program at the San Jose State University. She is fluent in German, English, and has a basic knowledge of Korean.
Adrien Bresson is ingénieur des Mines, and is a graduate of l’école Polytechnique and l’école des Mines de Paris.
He began his career in 2016 at the regional direction of the Ministry for the Environnement in Normandy region, as head of the service in charge of industrial and natural risk prevention.
He then joined the Directorate General for Enterprises in 2019 as Network and Security Project Director. He is in charge of public policy in cybersecurity and networks equipments, and the elaboration of 5G national strategy within French national Recovery plan.
Stage 1 – 5G MmWave deployment – State of play in Europe – Hosted by Qualcomm
Stage 2 – Developing Competitive Advantage via your Spectrum Strategy – A Playbook for Operators and Regulators – Hosted by LYA
Stage 3 – 5G and cities: Why collaboration and connectivity is key to smart transportation success – Hosted by Ericsson
All around the world, countries and regions are battling for digital supremacy and to be seen as leading the way in the development of 5G and other key technologies. Whilst Europe is arguably currently well positioned in the international technological race, the potential to address the broader value chain is clear. Europe is home of two of the 3 big equipment suppliers, is blessed with world-class researchers and science labs, a thriving and innovative start-up community, and arguably the most highly skilled and developed vertical markets in the world. As we enter the era of 5G, and already start to look further ahead to B5G and even 6G, this session will look at how policymakers and industry can come together and form strategic alliances to harness some of these key competitive advantages. It will look at the best way forward to enable Europe to keep control of its digital destiny and set course for a more sustainable, inclusive, and world-leading digital future.
Marc Eschenburg has worked in the telecoms industry since 2008 advising fixed and mobile operators as well as regulators and other government bodies on a wide range of commercial, technical and regulatory issues. He has been very active in the area of radio spectrum policy, advising more than 30 operators worldwide on their spectrum strategy and assisting them to value spectrum ahead of spectrum auctions. In addition, he has worked with regulators and industry bodies on key spectrum management issues, including work on incentive pricing, forecasting future spectrum demand and identifying measures of efficient spectrum use. Further to his work on spectrum, Marc advises clients ahead of major market transactions and has carried out various projects on next-generation broadband as well as in the TV and media space. Marc holds a Masters in Infonomics from Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
Bernard Barani graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications de Bretagne in 1982. He then worked as communications engineer in industry on military infrared systems and then with the European Space Agency on advanced satcom programmes.
In 1994, he joined the European Commission and was responsible for implementation of research and policy issues in wireless communication, Internet, audio visual systems, Software and Services. He has been Deputy head of unit for research and policy in the field of Internet of Things systems.
He is currently Acting head of unit in charge of research and innovation on Network Technologies in the CONNECT Directorate General of the European Commission. He is responsible for the definition and implementation of the research strategy related to future networks under the 5G Public Private Partnership and to systems based on connected objects (IoT) in support of EU industry competitiveness. He is also responsible for the 5G/IoT standardisation and IPR related work.
Matti Latva-aho received the M.Sc., Lic.Tech. and Dr. Tech (Hons.) degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oulu, Finland in 1992, 1996 and 1998, respectively. From 1992 to 1993, he was a Research Engineer at Nokia Mobile Phones, Oulu, Finland after which he joined Centre for Wireless Communications (CWC) at the University of Oulu. Prof. Latva-aho was Director of CWC during the years 1998-2006 and Head of Department for Communication Engineering until August 2014. Currently he serves as Academy of Finland Professor in 2017 – 2022 and is Director for National 6G Flagship Programme for 2018 – 2026. His research interests are related to mobile broadband communication systems and currently his group focuses on beyond 5G systems research. Prof. Latva-aho has published close to 500 conference or journal papers in the field of wireless communications. He received Nokia Foundation Award in 2015 for his achievements in mobile communications research.
Colin has detailed knowledge and experience of the telecommunications industry having worked directly or indirectly with many of the major players over a 28-year period. The roles have included software developer, technical consultant, technical marketing, standardization and management. The software development has been at both the project and product levels including responsible for customer relations and software QA procedures. The management has been at project, program, group and competence area level, often involving multi-site and multi-country responsibilities.
In addition to line manager roles, he has participated extensively in standardization activities at ETSI, ITU-T and 3GPP, including instrumental work in creating and developing the TTCN-3 testing language. Colin has also been very active in the European research ecosystem, including leading a number of award winning European projects such as TT-Medal, D-MINT and SEMAFOUR. Colin is currently head of Radio Network Standardization at Nokia and in addition is also the chairman of the board of the 5G Infrastructure Association.
Dr Diego R. Lopez joined Telefonica I+D in 2011 as a Senior Technology Expert, and is currently in charge of the Technology Exploration activities within the GCTIO Unit. Before joining Telefónica he spent some years in the academic sector, dedicated to research on network services, and was appointed member of the High-Level Expert Group on Scientific Data Infrastructures by the European Commission.
Diego is currently focused on applied research in network infrastructures, with a special emphasis on virtualization, data-driven management, new architectures, and security. Diego chairs the ETSI ISG on Permissioned Distributed Ledgers and the Network Operator Council ETSI ISG on Network Function Virtualization.
Apart from this, Diego is a more than acceptable Iberian ham carver, and extremely fond of seeking and enjoying comics, and good discussions on any (in)appropriate matter.
More can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr2lopez/
Dr. Wen Tong is the CTO, Huawei Wireless. He is the head of Huawei wireless research. In 2011, Dr. Tong was appointed the Head of Communications Technologies Labs of Huawei, currently, he is the Huawei 5G chief scientist and led Huawei’s 10-year-long 5G wireless technologies research and development.
Prior to joining Huawei in 2009, Dr. Tong was the Nortel Fellow and head of the Network Technology Labs at Nortel. He joined the Wireless Technology Labs at Bell Northern Research in 1995 in Canada.
Dr. Tong is the industry recognized leader in invention of advanced wireless technologies, Dr. Tong was elected as a Huawei Fellow and an IEEE Fellow. He was the recipient of IEEE Communications Society Industry Innovation Award in 2014, and IEEE Communications Society Distinguished Industry Leader Award for “pioneering technical contributions and leadership in the mobile communications industry and innovation in 5G mobile communications technology” in 2018. He is also the recipient of R.A. Fessenden Medal. For the past three decades, he had pioneered fundamental technologies from 1G to 5G wireless and Wi-Fi with more than 470 granted US patents.
Dr. Tong is a Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering, and he serves as Board of Director of Wi-Fi Alliance.
As 5G rollout and digital transformation initiatives accelerate both in Europe and across the world, it is vital that a clear and co-ordinated strategy is in place to ensure that cyber security and privacy protection remain a top priority. In recent years, the European Union has been seen as leading the way in this area, implementing several initiatives in order to develop trust and cooperation across member states. With the review of the NIS Directive expected before the end of 2020, and with us now being one year on from the launch of the EU toolbox on 5G Cybersecurity, this session will look at the extent to which these these and other key policy instruments can come together to ensure the security and resilience of Europe’s 5G networks.
Visiola follows cybersecurity regulation at EU level and national cybersecurity developments in the UK and Ireland. At EU level, she focuses on initiatives such as the NIS Directive, 5G security and the EU cybersecurity act. Visiola joined Cullen International in July 2015, after graduating from the University of Hamburg in EU Law and Affairs.
Goran Milenkovic comes from ENISA, the EU Agency for Cybersecurity, where he works as a cybersecurity expert in the Policy Development and Implementation unit, primarily in the domain of telecom security. Goran has led ENISA activities in supporting European Commission and MS in developing the 5G Toolbox and is currently coordinating ENISA efforts on supporting the toolbox implementation process. He brings two decades of experience in design, implementation and management of secure information systems and policies, in both private and public sector.
Miguel González-Sancho is since July 2018 Head of the Unit “Cybersecurity Technology and Capacity Building” at the European Commission, where he has worked for over 20 years, mainly on EU policy and R&D&I programmes relating to digital technologies, and before on telecoms regulation and trade policy. His previous responsibilities in the Commission included Head of Unit for eHealth, Head of Unit for Administration and Finance, Deputy Head of Unit for Policy Coordination, Deputy Head of the Unit for eInclusion, and member of cabinet of a European Commission Vice-President. Miguel holds degrees in law, international relations, business administration, accounting and auditing.
The Luxembourg-based satellite operator on public affairs and regulatory matters with the European Union (EU), the CEPT, the Council of Europe and the ITU, under the responsibility of the SES General Counsel. He‘s now responsible for SES regulatory affairs (advocacy and licensing) in Europe, Africa and Middle East.
Cécil looks back at more than 20 years of experience in dealing with regulatory affairs, specialised in ICT regulations for media and telecommunications. His dedicated expertise covers the supervision and impact of telecoms legislations and spectrum policies, in the context of increased liberalisation in radio frequency management and usage.
Cécil has been the chairperson of the working group on regulation in ESOA (EMEA Satellite Operators Association) for several years. In this capacity, he represents the satellite sector for the development of electronic communications regulation in Europe, Africa and Middle East, and he defends the interests of the space industry in multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations between the EU and the rest of the world.
As an active member of the Global VSAT Forum (GVF), Cécil Ameil is also contributing to the coordination of the satellite sector‘s efforts to defend access to and usage of essential radio spectrum at regional and ITU levels (including for WRCs).
A French national living in Belgium for years, Cécil is married and the father of 3 boys. He performs theatre and music as amateur.
Mikko Karikytö is the Chief Product Security Officer (CPSO) & Head of Product Security for Ericsson with accountability for security requirements, standards, strategy and architecture, related to product development and management, and overall accountability of product security and product privacy.
He is senior advisor on Product and Solution Security to the CTO, and other executive Ericsson leaders. Mikko has previously worked as Head of Network Security and Head of PSIRT (Product Security Incident Response Team) responding, investigating and solving cyber security incidents and breaches with Ericsson customers globally.
Mikko has also engaged in industry collaboration through organizations like ETIS, FIRST and EU Commission work groups. He has also provided Subject Matter Expertise for committee hearings of the UK parliament and the German Bundestag in 5G Security.
More information available shortly.
Stage 1 – Nokia’s vision on 6G: the perspective of a European global player – Hosted by Nokia
Stage 2 – Taking verticals from 5G towards 6G – Hosted by Huawei
Stage 3 – Building the future European 5G networks with OpenRAN – Hosted by Facebook
As we begin to emerge from the Covid-19 crisis, all around the world, Governments are looking to put into place a recovery strategy built around 2 core principles – technology and sustainability. 5G and related technologies such as AI, IoT and SuperComputing are seen as being a key part of this and of building a safer more sustainable future for us all. At the same time however, there are also concerns about the environmental impact of 5G, and the amount of energy consumed by the additional infrastructure that is required to cope with the 5G era. This session will look at both sides of the coin. As 5G adoption around the world continues, it will look at the best way forward to manage growth in a sustainable way in order to minimise the initial environmental impact. And then moving forward, it will look at how the power of 5G can be harnessed to help us emerge from the pandemic stronger, and accelerate the EU’s trajectory towards a greener, safer future for us all.
Phil specialises in strategic planning, corporate development and strategic marketing consulting. He brings over 20 years’ experience in TMT and energy/clean tech both as a consultant and business leader. Prior to heading up STL’s consulting business, Philip set up a successful home energy efficiency business and was the project director with the Carbon Trust, launching a new commercial initiative: the low carbon workplace. He is a fluent French speaker. MSc (LSE), MA (Cambridge).
More information available shortly.
More information available shortly.
Paolo Gemma is a senior Specialist and representative of Huawei on issues related to energy saving and environmental sustainability.
Prior to joining Huawei, Dr. Gemma was working with Nokia Siemens Networks, where he was responsible for EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) and electrical safety areas. He also worked in the Siemens Communications Division. Dr. Paolo Gemma also plays an active role in international standardization activities. Since 1993, he has been engaged in ETSI (European Telecommunication Standard Institute) activities and he also participates in the development of EMC standards.
In 1997, Dr. Gemma joined ITU-T Study Group 5 on Environment, Climate Change and Circular Economy as a Rapporteur and he is now the Chairman of Working Party 2 “Environment, Energy Efficiency and the Circular Economy”. He also acts as Vice-chairmen of the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative.
In 2002, Paolo Gemma was appointed as the Secretary of the Committee ETSI TC EE and as of 2009 he holds the position of Chairman of the EEPS EE (eco Environmental product standard) working group. Paolo Gemma is a graduate in electrical engineering from the University of Genoa.
More information available shortly.
As part of her State of the Union Address in September 2020, President von der Leyen set out the European Commission’s recommendations on a common European toolbox of best practices aimed at “…reducing the cost of deploying very high capacity networks and ensuring timely and investment-friendly access to 5G radio spectrum”. Member states are now required to deliver a national roadmap for the implementation of this toolbox by April 2021. With the situation across Europe currently very mixed and many member states behind the schedules set out for both 5G network deployment and spectrum allocation, this session will look at the extent to which this toolbox will help to address this, and at how stakeholders across Europe need to come together in order to keep the European Commission’s 5G Action Plan on track.
Amit has over 20 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, North America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Amit holds an M.Sc. in Radio Frequency and Communications Engineering from the University of Bradford and an M.B.A. from the University of Warwick, UK.
Stefan Zehle is the co-founder and CEO of Coleago. He has 29 years’ experience in telecoms consulting and as Director of a mobile operating company. He specialises in strategy and business planning, spectrum related issues such as spectrum policy, valuation and auctions, and telecoms regulatory topics. He gained his experience working in developed markets in Europe, Canada and the US and also in emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East.
As Director of Strategy, Marketing and Regulatory Affairs, Stefan launched the third mobile operator in Algeria. He developed the strategy, designed the organisation chart, recruited other Directors and 200 staff, built the Sales and Marketing department, oversaw the development of distribution and the offer, and managed the brand creation. He also successfully challenged the regulatory status quo, transforming the interconnect landscape in Algeria by introducing best practice interconnect agreements for the first time. He filed regulatory complaints, winning million dollar cost savings.
Stefan is also the co-author of “Guide to Business Planning”, published by “The Economist”, now in its second edition (“Outstanding Academic Title, 2009” awarded by Choice, the US academic reviewers) and is an experienced conference speaker, chairing the Ministerial Programme session at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Stefan holds an MBA (with distinction) awarded by the University of Westminster in 1991 and speaks French, English, and German.
Carlota Reyners Fontana is Head of Unit of the Electronic Communications Policy unit in DG Connect at the European Commission. The unit is in charge of developing policy and regulatory initiatives in the field of Electronic Communications. The unit is actively involved in shaping the future electronic communications agenda. Previously Carlota has been leading the unit for Investments in High Capacity Networks (including developing the policy on Connecting Europe Facility and the WiFi4EU voucher scheme). Until December 2017, Carlota was Deputy Head of the Radio Spectrum Policy unit from where she led the proposals and the negotiations of the access regulation, spectrum and universal service of the European Electronic Communications Code. In 2012 – 2014, she was Member of cabinet of Vice-President Neelie Kroes, Commissioner responsible for Digital Agenda under the Barroso II Commission. She has previously worked in the Commission’s Competition Directorate General as well as a competition lawyer in a leading European telecommunications company and a Brussels based international law firm. She holds a law degree from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and a Master in European law from the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
More information to be added shortly.
Matthieu Agogué was appointed Deputy Head of Group regulatory affairs at Orange in November 2017.
Mr Agogué began his career at the French telecom regulatory authority (ARCEP), in charge of market analysis and operational development of broadband markets, before being appointed and then appointed as Head of Unit in charge of models and tariffs until 2012. From 2012 through 2014, he held the position of Advisor in the Cabinet of Mrs Pellerin, French Minister for SMEs, Innovation and Digital economy, where he contributed to the national digital planning policy. He then joined Société Générale as a Mergers and Acquisitions Banker. In 2016, he joined the Orange Group with responsibility for the anticipation and coordination of regulatory affairs within the Group regulatory affairs division, and then went on as acting Director of regulatory affairs for France. Since 2018, he represents also Orange in GSMA’s Policy Group Europe.
Born in 1981, Matthieu Agogué is a graduate of the École Normale Supérieure (ENS, 2001) and Telecom Paris Tech (2006).
Launched in 2012, the original Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) was instrumental in shaping EU communications policy and setting the direction for the development of 4G networks across the continent. As we now move into the 5G era, the European Commission has signalled its intention to this year establish a new RSPP, and to provide a future-looking roadmap to illustrate how spectrum can best support broader European policy prioirites up until 2030. The process of consultation on this has already begun, with the RSPG due to release an opinion on this by June 2021 (with an initial draft expected in Q1). This session will discuss the main pillars and focusses that are under consideration for inclusion as part of the programme, and at how recent policy, regulatory and technological developments can be integrated into this. As the journey continues to 5G and beyond, it will look at the connectivity challenges that still remain, and at how the RSPP can deliver a roadmap to support gigabit connectivity throughout Europe going forward.
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.
Andreas Geiss is Head of Unit for Spectrum Policy in DG CONNECT of the European Commission. He has been working for the European Commission since 2002 in various positions. His responsibilities included mobile communications, the Radio Spectrum Policy Programme and negotiations with the Member States in different settings. Before joining the European Commission he worked for the European Radiocommunications Office (ERO), where he was project leader for projects dealing with terrestrial and satellite communications and setting up the ECO Frequency Information System (EFIS). He has been involved in the European preparations for World Radiocommunications Conferences since 1995. Andreas has a master’s degree in electrical engineering and started his professional career in 1991 at the German Regulatory Authority in the area of telecommunications.
Jonas Wessel is Director of the Spectrum 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. 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.
Guillaume is a Public Policy Manager in Facebook’s Connectivity & Access group focusing on global spectrum policy issues. Guillaume is focusing on how different technologies like 5G, WiFi and satellites can help solve the world’s connectivity challenges. Guillaume has more than 10 years of experience in the spectrum management arena, working previously at Airbus and Qualcomm. Guillaume received a PhD from Victoria University (Melbourne, Australia) and an Engineering Degree from Telecom Paris (Paris, France).
Mohaned Juwad is responsible for assisting Intelsat’s strategic long-term spectrum position in the marketplace. In his role, he works closely with the company’s vice president on corporate and spectrum strategy and the spectrum strategy team to analyze and identify emerging spectrum opportunities and risks for Intelsat. In addition, he is responsible for managing efforts from Europe, Middle East and Africa that protect, optimize and leverage the company’s spectrum assets in support of Intelsat’s broader long-term growth strategy.
Dr Juwad has over 10 years’ experience within the satellite industry where he held various roles in the past. Prior to rejoining Intelsat in 2016, Dr Juwad served as manager, regulatory licensing and market access, at Avanti Communications Group Plc where he was responsible for managing and acquiring licensing and authorization for Ka-band geostationary satellite services across Europe, Middle East and the Africa region, in addition to overseeing regulatory activities at the ITU, CEPT, and other regulatory bodies. Before that, he worked as a consultant where he worked in ESA funded projects to develop the DVB-S2 standard operating in Ka-band, and also developed Ka-band mortised terminals where he was instrumental in developing a commercial self-aligned antenna.
Dr Juwad earned a Philosophy of Doctorate (PhD) from Isambard Kingdom Brunel University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering at Herefordshire University.
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) is the world’s leading provider of satellite services, delivering high-performance connectivity solutions for media, fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure, enterprise and government and military applications for more than 50 years. Intelsat’s satellite, teleport and fibre infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video and broadband services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and mobile broadband access, with Intelsat, envision your future network, connect using our leading satellite technology.
Stephen is 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 a policy environment that supports network investment and innovation, digital inclusion and sustainable competition in fixed and mobile networks across each of Vodafone’s markets.
Stephen is a co-chair of the GSMA FREQ group which advocates on mobile spectrum licensing and regulatory policy for Europe.
Stephen studied Engineering at Cambridge University and worked previously in the Japanese technology sector and internationally as a strategy consultant to the telecom and media sector.
Stage 1: Project Darwin: the evolution of nextgen vehicle connectivity – Hosted by ESOA
Stage 2: 5G implementation in non EU countries in Europe – Hosted by ITU
Stage 3: How SES enables 5G with cloud connectivity – Hosted by SES
5G actions have now been taking place across Europe for quite some time in the 700 MHz, 3.6 GHz, and 26 GHz bands. But Covid and a number of other factors have led to considerable delays across some countries, and the situation regarding the award and allocation of these bands is quite varied. In countries that awards have taken place, there is also a variety of different licencing models being seen, and particularly regarding the allocation of spectrum for private 5G networks. This session will look at where we are with regards to the rollout of spectrum that is needed for 5G in the short term. As the 5G spectrum environment starts to emerge, it will look at the different approaches, themes and trends that are being seen across member states, and at what ultimately is the best way forward to meet the connectivity requirements of the huge number of different use cases that are being seen.
Ms. Lemay has more than 30 years of experience in the industry and is a recognized expert in telecommunications and broadcasting. Her expertise covers development of business plans, valuation, due diligence, spectrum matters and market research. Ms. Lemay has supported clients in the US, Europe, North Africa, Latin America and Canada.
Ms. Lemay is the lead consultant for Private Auctions conducted by LYA for clients disposing of spectrum licenses and other assets.
Ms. Lemay is actively involved in consultations for the development of public policy. She has acted as an Expert Witness in regulatory proceedings and litigations. Recent expert evidence mandates were focused on broadband subsidies in rural and remote areas, wireless siting, mid-band 5G spectrum, national roaming, television and over-the-top services, benchmarking investment in broadband and the regulatory framework for MVNOs.
She has supported clients in successfully acquiring subsidy funds for broadband deployment in rural areas.
She is co-leader of the development of the LYA Auction Platforms that support Combinatorial Clock Auctions (CCA), Simultaneous Multiple Round Ascending (SMRA) Auctions, Sealed Bid Auctions as well as Clock Auctions.
Prior to co-founding LYA, Ms. Lemay held a number of positions in marketing and product management with Nortel Networks. Ms. Lemay holds an Engineering Physics degree from Laval University and an MBA, Executive Option, from Concordia University in Montreal.
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. She attended the World Radio Conference WRC- 15 in November 2015 as a Deputy Head of Delegation. Since 2016 she is head of Mobile department in AKOS leading preparation for 700 MHz multiband Auction and 5G initiative project.
More information available shortly.
Cristina is the Director of Spectrum information and analysis, Spectrum Group at Ofcom. Cristina currently leads the Spectrum Mobile Data Strategy programme with a particular focus on assessing the implications of growing demand. Prior to working on 5G, Cristina led the development of a new spectrum sharing framework, and launched Ofcom open data policy. In particular Cristina was responsible for the release of the UK Interactive spectrum map and the release of information on spectrum use in open format. Prior to joining Ofcom Cristina held various marketing and strategy roles at Telefonica O2, EE (then Orange), and Ericsson (then Red Bee Media). Cristina holds a Master Degree in Management Engineering from the Politecnico di Torino university in Italy.
Stuart is Director of Spectrum & Industry Affairs at Samsung and chair of the GSA’s Global Spectrum Team. Stuart has enjoyed diverse experience in both corporations and start-ups on the road to 5G, since he entered the industry as part of the UK government’s 3G auction team. Other roles have included: membership of Nokia’s global 3G technology and regulatory team; European regulatory and standards lead for 4G pioneer start up Flarion Technologies; part of Qualcomm’s European management and business development team for 4G, internet services, privacy and wireless power for electric vehicles and business development and marketing lead at wireless energy harvesting start-up Drayson Technologies.
Ira Keltz is Deputy Chief of the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology.
OET is the Commission’s primary resource for engineering expertise and provides technical support to the Chairman, Commissioners and FCC Bureaus and Offices. Mr. Keltz is responsible for developing national spectrum policies for the United States telecommunications industry. This includes allocating spectrum for licensed services, setting technical rules for unlicensed devices, and implementing procedures for equipment certification.
Mr. Keltz has totaled almost 24 years at the FCC spanning two separate stints. In addition to positions in OET, he has held various positions in the Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Mr. Keltz has also worked for the law firm DLA Piper as well as Loral Advanced Projects and LSA, Inc. He earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the George Washington University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Deputy Governor of Radio Spectrum, Communication and Information Technology Commission, Saudi Arabia Mohammed has over 15 years of experience in the field of spectrum policy. He has been involved in many national and international spectrum management activities including overseeing 4G and 5G spectrum auctions, reviewing spectrum policies for a number of countries in collaboration with ITU BDT and drafting Saudi Arabia’s National Spectrum Strategy 2020-2025.
He has academic and applied background in the area of quantitative policy analysis, technology and decision making, where he authored a number of papers and reports, taught courses, conducted workshops and provided consultancy and advisory services for several organizations. Mohammed holds a MSc and a PhD, in Engineering and Public Policy, from Carnegie Mellon University. He also holds a MSc from University of Pennsylvania and a BSc from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, both in Electrical Engineering.
As we have just seen, work across Europe is continuing on the award and allocation of spectrum in the pioneer bands. At the same time however, attention is already moving on to other options to provide the required connectivity for 5G and beyond. A range of different bands have been discussed as options to be considered for this (600MHz, 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz, 3.8 – 4.2GHz, 6GHz, 10GHz, 28GHz, 40GHz, 66GHz amongst them). As we look further ahead, technological advances could also mean that there will be options available to start exploring the use of bands in frequency ranges that have never been considered before, for example in the THz range). This session will look at the challenges and opportunities that are offered by some of these bands, and at which offer the most realistic options to provide the required large contiguous blocks of spectrum that are required for 5G. It will discuss the amount of additional spectrum that is truly required to meet current and future demands for connectivity and enable Europe, and at how this can be identified in a way that also takes into account the needs of other key users.
Mr. Yates has over 30 years of experience in the telecom industry and is an expert in spectrum auctions, 5G-spectrum and broadband strategy, licensing, financial modeling, telecom and licensing policy and regulation as well as wireless and network technologies. His consulting experience includes projects in the US, Canada, Europe, North Africa and Australia.
Mr. Yates has supported bidders through the entire spectrum auction process, from the initial public consultation, to bidder training, simulations and mock auctions, game analysis, bid tactics and in-bid room support. Mr. Yates is co-leader of the development of the LYA Auction Platforms that support Combinatorial Clock Auctions (CCA), Simultaneous Multiple Round Ascending (SMRA) Auctions, Sealed Bid Auctions as well as Clock Auctions. He has also developed the LYA Auction Management Tools used to manage round-by-round bidding and decision-making.
Branimir is responsible for developing and implementing EU-level policy initiatives with focus on wireless broadband and 5G. These relate to the harmonised and flexible use of spectrum, in particular for mobile broadband and vertical applications as well as a long-term strategy for the long-term use of UHF broadcasting spectrum.
Branimir has been working with the European Commission since 2008. He started his professional career in 1995 at the Vodafone Chair for Mobile Communications Systems at the Dresden University, Germany. From 2000 until 2008 he worked with the companies Philips, Qimonda and Signalion in Germany in the area of wireless equipment design, manufacturing and marketing.
Branimir has a PhD degree in mobile communications from the Dresden University. He has contributions to Wi-Fi standardisation.