1. Key Policy Questions and related issues:
What lessons have we learned from previous efforts to 'connect the world' and rapidly bring more people online? Can we theorize new ways of working amongst stakeholders, including governments and ISPs, that avoid the many pitfalls of the legacy telecom sector here on earth, including monopolistic practices, pervasive surveillance, and network disruption and discrimination? Will the satellite sector openly work with our communities to implement such new models of cooperation? Will the services be amenable to uses like censorship circumvention that may run afoul of government partners and financiers?
The impact of digital sovereignty and Internet fragmentation threaten the satellite internet sector even in its infancy. Private sector control, and companies largely from China, Western Europe, and the USA are forerunners in controlling satellite internet services. How will governments be able to regulate firms satellite internet firms that largely operate out of a few select countries? Won't this recreate many of the problems with social media platforms, which hold outsize influence over the data of people all over the world, but only answer to relatively few regulators and governments?
The security, stability and resilience of the Internet infrastructure, systems and devices are already at risk. Will satellite internet provide yet another platform for location and data surveillance? Will satellite internet be adequately secured against intrusion, and robust enough to ensure stable bandwidth across geographies? How will the average user benefit? What due diligence will the sector do to ensure human rights and security and respected and protected, even in the face of government pressure?
2. Summary of Issues Discussed:
Sovereignty and the splintering internet: it was agreed that satellite internet services are not immune from the factors leading to distrust between major internet governance actors and the bifurcation of the internet between the US/Western Europe and China.
Increasing dependence on internet services: COVID-19 led us to increasingly rely on the Internet for work, education, and many other aspects of our lives. However, there are 3.8 billion people worldwide who are yet to get online. Many others are struggling to stay connected due to expensive data plans, literacy and electrification challenges, as well as intentional disruptions like internet shutdowns. We will not reach Sustainable Development Goal target 9(c) by 2020, and need innovative new ways to bridge digital divides, while also respecting human rights.
Basic economic barriers remain. Low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations failed in the 1990s and are still "not a slam dunk," even for billionaires like Elon Musk, who has stated his goal is "not to go bankrupt." Fixed costs are high for internet constellations. But we are fairly certain there will be variable prices, meaning different users in different countries may pay different rates to access services from the same constellation of satellites. In essence, the more affluent countries will pay more, which may tend to heal the digital divide.
Global cooperation is key. These satellites are global infrastructure. Now only a few states launch satellites but the number of governments involved will quickly grow. We need global collaboration, laws, standards and regulations.
7. Reflection to Gender Issues:
In relation to efforts to reach the SDGs, presenters noted the inequitable distribution of internet access, which disproportionately affects people in already under-served and at-risk communities, such as women and girls. The panel also discussed the particular impacts of internet shutdowns on vulnerable and marginalized communities, including women. Further, two of the panel's three main presenters identify as women.
10. Voluntary Commitment:
Larry Press offered his volunteer services to all stakeholders. All presenters agreed they look forward to continuing to advance protection for human rights and the environment, in their respective roles and responsibilities, with regard to the emerging satellite internet service sector. Should any regulators or private sector operators wish to consult, these experts offered their counsel.
