At Digital Almaty 2025, during the panel session “The Future of Non-Geostationary Satellite Communication Systems: Technologies, Markets, and Challenges”, leading global experts discussed the prospects of non-geostationary satellite communication systems (NGSO) and their role in bridging the digital divide. As technology advances, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are becoming a crucial tool in providing global internet access. However, their large-scale deployment presents several challenges, including frequency regulation, orbital security, and competition with traditional geostationary (GEO) satellite systems.
Speakers emphasized that NGSO systems can significantly enhance connectivity in remote regions, providing low-latency, high-speed internet, making them indispensable in sectors such as telecommunications, transportation, defense, and emergency response.
“The development of low-orbit satellites is not just a technological trend but a fundamental step towards closing the digital divide. Today, we are not only discussing advancements in the telecom industry but also expanding access to education, healthcare, and business opportunities in the world’s most remote regions,” said Vasiliy Leonov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Republican Center of Space Communications JSC.
One of the key issues discussed was the environmental sustainability of satellite systems. Currently, thousands of operational satellites are in orbit, and their numbers are expected to grow. Experts warn that without a well-thought-out disposal system and proper deorbiting strategies, the risk of space debris accumulation increases, which could jeopardize the operation of other satellites.
“We are at a critical juncture: if we do not take measures to control satellite constellations, orbits could turn into chaos, where collisions become a reality,” emphasized Lokman Kuzu, Executive Vice President of Turkish Aerospace Industry.
The discussion also touched upon regulatory frameworks and international cooperation. With increasing competition between key players, including SpaceX, Spacesail, Amazon Kuiper, as well as Chinese and European projects, coordinating orbital and frequency usage is becoming increasingly complex.
“We must acknowledge that dozens of operators are currently active in space, and the frequency spectrum is limited. It is essential for governments and international organizations to establish unified rules that allow satellite systems to coexist without mutual interference,” stated Dmitriy Vetlugin, Director of Market Access & Sales, Central Asia at Eutelsat OneWeb.
Another significant aspect of the discussion was the commercialization of satellite internet. NGSO systems are unlocking new market opportunities in developing countries and offering solutions for aviation, maritime transport, agriculture, and corporate sectors.
“We are moving towards a future where satellite internet will become as accessible as mobile connectivity. The key question is not only how to make it possible but also how to ensure its commercial sustainability,” noted Jie Wan, Vice President of Marketing & Service at Spacesail.
Concluding the discussion, forum participants agreed that the future lies in the integration of GEO and NGSO systems. In the coming years, we will witness the development of hybrid solutions, where geostationary satellites will provide high bandwidth capacity, while low-orbit networks will ensure low latency and real-time responsiveness.
“We are not talking about replacing one technology with another—the future of satellite communications lies in their complementarity,” concluded Dauren Shaikhin, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Board Member of Kcell JSC.
The discussion featured prominent experts, including Vasiliy Leonov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Republican Center of Space Communications JSC (Kazakhstan), Lokman Kuzu, Executive Vice President of Turkish Aerospace Industry (Turkey), Jie Wan, Vice President of Marketing & Service at Spacesail (China), Dmitriy Vetlugin, Director of Market Access & Sales at Eutelsat OneWeb (Central Asia), and Dauren Shaikhin, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Board Member at Kcell JSC (Kazakhstan).
As a reminder, the international forum Digital Almaty 2025 is taking place on January 31 – February 1 at the Atakent Exhibition Complex in Almaty. This year’s theme is "Industrial AI: Technologies for a New Era." The forum is organized by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the Akimat of Almaty, and the Innovation Technology Park Autonomous Cluster Fund.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mdai/press/news/details/929301