The 11th Latin America Spectrum Management Conference will take place on 22 -23 September, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency in Merida, Mexico. The conference will be kindly hosted by IFT México, and held alongside the CITEL PCC.II meeting.
Registration is now available in English and in Spanish.
Across 2 days attendees will have the opportunity to be involved in important discussions on the key spectrum topics for the Latin America region and beyond, through interactive sessions, networking opportunities, an exhibition area and much more..
The conference is part of The Global Spectrum Series the world’s largest collection of regional spectrum policy conferences.
Hover over the images to find out more…
Hyatt Regency Merida
Av. Colón 344, Zona Paseo Montejo,
Centro, 97000 Mérida,
Yuc., Mexico
IFT have kindly secured preferential accommodation rates at the conference hotel. To access these rates, please click the below button.
For practical information on travelling to and staying in Merida, Mexico, including entry requirements, reduced accommodation rates and more, please download the below documents, kindly put together by IFT Mexico.
The conference will take place in Merida, Mexico at the Hyatt Regency. Please view the ‘Venue’ tab for more information.
There will be simultaneous translation in English and Spanish for the conference sessions.
This will take place as a fully in-person event in Merida, Mexico. We hope you can join us!
You can find more information on the Global Spectrum Series here.
Forum Global Forum Global specializes in policy-focused conferences and events, providing a platform for discussion and debate on topical issues across a variety of different sectors. These events are organized with clients and partners and aim to progress ideas and actions on important issues, all within a balanced and neutral setting.
Forum Global is the international arm of Forum Europe, which was founded by Giles Merritt, columnist for the International Herald Tribune, and is widely recognized as the leading EU dedicated event provider.Headed by a team of events specialists with over 19 years of experience, Forum Global works successfully with businesses, institutions and governments alike. Its strategic services can maintain and develop your key policy networks, and also deliver forums where key issues can be aired and debated.
IFT México The Federal Telecommunications Institute is an autonomous body . Its objective is the efficient development of telecommunications and broadcasting, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the laws within the scope of its responsibility. It is responsible for regulating, promoting and supervising the use, exploitation and exploitation of the radio spectrum, networks and the provision of telecommunications and broadcasting services (TyR) in Mexico, as well as access to infrastructure and other essential inputs, contributing to guarantee the right to information and universal access to said services.
Likewise, it is the authority on economic competition in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors.
To view more information please visit their website below.
CITEL The Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) is an entity of the Organization of American States established by the General Assembly in its resolution AG/RES. 1224 (XXIII-O/93), in keeping with Article 52 of the Charter of the Organization. CITEL has technical autonomy in the performance of its functions, within the limits of the Charter of the Organization, the Statute of CITEL, and such mandates as the General Assembly of the Organization may assign to it.
The member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) have undertaken to unote efforts to promote and achieve economic and social development with equity. They have also recognized the vital role of telecommunications as a tool to achieve that objective. They have thus placed special emphasis on the need to consolidate and promote telecommunication modernization and coordination in the region. (OAS Charter, Articles 30 and 41).
Contributing to the region’s economic and social development is the objective of all elements of the work of CITEL, whether it is coordinating the rules needed to facilitate infrastructure deployment and telecommunication service delivery; harmonization of the radio frequency spectrum to reduce the cost of providing wireless services; information and communication technology (ICT) training; or helping countries devise telecommunication development strategies.
ITU The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies – ICTs.
Founded in 1865 to facilitate international connectivity in communications networks, we allocate global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develop the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strive to improve access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide. Every time you make a phonecall via the mobile, access the Internet or send an email, you are benefitting from the work of ITU.
ITU is committed to connecting all the world’s people – wherever they live and whatever their means. Through our work, we protect and support everyone’s right to communicate.
In line with its mandate and the WSIS outcome documents, the ITU continues playing a key role in WSIS implementation and follow-up.
Find out more here.
ABRINT ABRINT – Brazilian Association of Internet and Telecommunications Providers is a civil association with non-economic purposes whose objectives are the representation of its members in society, government, and regulatory bodies in matters relevant to the sector.
ABRINT members are in all Brazilian states and represent companies providing internet access that have promoted, since the beginning of the network, broad digital inclusion in the country, bringing quality broadband to cities where large operators have little commercial interest. Together, they form the largest communications company in the country, according to ANATEL, which denotes the importance of regional internet providers for the integration of the largest country in South America. Regional providers have in ABRINT the institutional and political representation necessary to guarantee a healthy competitive environment and the consequent expansion of the range of services and growth of their businesses.
Amazon Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, Earth’s best employer, and Earth’s safest place to work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon.
Cisco Cisco offers an industry-leading portfolio of technology innovations. With networking, security, collaboration, cloud management, and more, they help to securely connect industries and communities.
Coleago Consulting 
Ericsson 
E-Space E-Space are overcoming the limitations of legacy LEO systems and re-imagining the design, manufacturing, economics and ways to deliver services.
For more information, please visit: www.e-space.com
GSA GSA (the Global mobile Suppliers Association) is a not-for-profit industry organisation representing companies across the worldwide mobile ecosystem engaged in the supply of infrastructure, semiconductors, test equipment, devices, applications and mobile support services.
GSA actively promotes the 3GPP technology road-map – 3G; 4G; 5G, – and is a single source of information resource for industry reports and market intelligence. GSA Members drive the GSA agenda and define the communications and development strategy for the Association.
The GSA Spectrum Group develops strategies and plans, and contributes studies and technical analysis to international, regional and individual country policy-makers and regulators to facilitate the timely availability of spectrum for use by mobile network operators.
GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors.
The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai and the Mobile 360 Series conferences.
GSOA GSOA is a non-profit organisation established with the objective of serving and promoting the common interests of satellite operators from Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the CIS.
The Association today represents the interests of 21 satellite operators who deliver information communication services across the globe. Together ESOA Members provide invaluable communications services to the whole world including emergency communications, live broadcasting, maritime and aero communications, secure services for governments, 24-7 monitoring of industrial processes such as energy plants and a whole range of other communications capabilities that society has come to rely on.
HPE HPE is the global edge-to-cloud company built to transform your business. How? By helping you connect, protect, analyze, and act on all your data and applications wherever they live, from edge to cloud, so you can turn insights into outcomes at the speed required to thrive in today’s complex world.
Huawei Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices.
Huawei have 207,000 employees and operate in over 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world. We are committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.
Intelsat Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) operates the world’s first Globalized Network, delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services anywhere in the world.
Intelsat’s Globalized Network combines the world’s largest satellite backbone with terrestrial infrastructure, managed services and an open, interoperable architecture to enable customers to drive revenue and reach through a new generation of network services.
Thousands of organizations serving billions of people worldwide rely on Intelsat to provide ubiquitous broadband connectivity, multi-format video broadcasting, secure satellite communications and seamless mobility services. The end result is an entirely new world, one that allows us to envision the impossible, connect without boundaries and transform the ways in which we live.
Liberty Latin America - We do it the best and we do it with spirit The communications and entertainment services that we offer to our residential and business customers include video, broadband internet, telephony and mobile services. In most of our operating footprint, we offer a “triple-play” of bundled services of digital video, internet and telephony in one subscription. We are also bundling, where available, mobile offerings with the “tripe-play” products to offer a “quad-play”, or fixed-mobile convergence service. Available fixed service offerings depend on the bandwidth capacity of a particular fixed system and whether it has been upgraded for two-way communications.
Nokia Nokia is a global leader in creating the technologies at the heart of our connected world.
Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, they serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry’s most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing. From the enabling infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things, to emerging applications in virtual reality and digital health, we are shaping the future of technology to transform the human experience.
Qualcomm Qualcomm’s technologies powered the smartphone revolution and connected billions of people. While many of our inventions and breakthroughs reside “under the hood” of consumer electronics, they have transformed the world in a big way. They have helped propel mobile to the forefront of the technology world and to the top of consumers’ wish lists. They have created new opportunities for mobile ecosystem players—the wireless device makers, the operators, the developers, and the content creators of the world. And more recently, their inventions and breakthroughs have inspired fresh, new ideas from those companies—large and small—new to the wireless space. They are engineers, scientists, and business strategists. Together, they focus on a single goal — invent mobile technology breakthroughs. Qualcomm pioneered 3G and 4G — and now they are leading the way to 5G and a new era of intelligent, connected devices. Their products are revolutionizing industries including automotive, computing, IoT and healthcare, and are allowing millions of devices to connect with each other in ways never before imagined.
Secretariat International Renowned law firms, leading corporations, and influential institutions turn to Secretariat’s disputes, litigation, economic, and data advisory services when the stakes are high — supporting them with meticulous preparation, insightful analysis, and clearly persuasive communications.
Their bright minds and passionate problem-solvers put their financial, analytical, and strategic insights to work in the fast-paced sectors we serve – from construction and energy to healthcare, technology, and natural resources.
Quality, integrity, and independence are woven into every aspect of their work. But, most importantly, when success is on the line, our globally integrated teams thrive on working through the most daunting problems in ways that remove uncertainty and instill confidence.
Skylo Technologies Skylo is a global non-terrestrial network service provider, connecting cellular devices directly over satellite for sensor data, texts, and voice (coming soon). Skylo is built on top of the latest cellular industry (3GPP NTN) standards, making satellite connectivity accessible to all.
Viasat Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. On May 30, 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.
https://www.viasat.com/
Omnispace Omnispace is uniting the simplicity of mobile roaming with the scope of satellite to create the world’s first truly global 5G network.
Omnispace are reinventing communications to deliver greater reach, improved reliability, and enhanced quality of service for billions of users and devices worldwide. By integrating terrestrial and satellite networks into one seamless connected experience, they are empowering consumer, enterprise, government and IoT users worldwide.
Qualcomm Qualcomm’s technologies powered the smartphone revolution and connected billions of people. While many of our inventions and breakthroughs reside “under the hood” of consumer electronics, they have transformed the world in a big way. They have helped propel mobile to the forefront of the technology world and to the top of consumers’ wish lists. They have created new opportunities for mobile ecosystem players—the wireless device makers, the operators, the developers, and the content creators of the world. And more recently, their inventions and breakthroughs have inspired fresh, new ideas from those companies—large and small—new to the wireless space. They are engineers, scientists, and business strategists. Together, they focus on a single goal — invent mobile technology breakthroughs. Qualcomm pioneered 3G and 4G — and now they are leading the way to 5G and a new era of intelligent, connected devices. Their products are revolutionizing industries including automotive, computing, IoT and healthcare, and are allowing millions of devices to connect with each other in ways never before imagined.
Sateliot Sateliot is launching the first LEO satellite constellation based on the 5G standard, allowing commercial, unmodified cellular IoT devices to connect from space. This is the first time in history that cellular terrestrial telecom is merging seamlessly with satellite connectivity, and Sateliot is leading this revolution. Sateliot’s cost-effective technology and the possibility to use commercial low-cost devices to connect to satellite opens infinite possibilities on the untapped market of massive IoT in remote areas, and it is in line with Sateliot’s mission to make IoT connectivity available everywhere and to everybody.
SES SES is the world-leading satellite operator and the first to deliver a differentiated and scalable GEO-MEO offering worldwide, with more than 50 satellites in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and 12 in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO).
SES focuses on value-added, end-to-end solutions in two key business units: SES Video and SES Networks. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators, governments and institutions. SES’s portfolio includes the ASTRA satellite system, which has the largest Direct-to-Home (DTH) television reach in Europe, O3b Networks, a global managed data communications service provider, and MX1, a leading media service provider that offers a full suite of innovative digital video and media services.
Dynamic Spectrum Alliance
HPE HPE is the global edge-to-cloud company built to transform your business. How? By helping you connect, protect, analyze, and act on all your data and applications wherever they live, from edge to cloud, so you can turn insights into outcomes at the speed required to thrive in today’s complex world.
Lynk Lynk’s groundbreaking and patented technology allows people to affordably connect to anyone, anywhere, with just their mobile phone in their pocket. Providing universal connectivity across the planet allows people in far-flung communities to connect, grow, and thrive by participating in local and global economies. We’re the only company that can connect you to anyone on the planet—no one else has successfully connected a phone on Earth to a satellite in space—the critical first step to providing universal mobile broadband connectivity. The genesis of Lynk stems from the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, where one of the company’s founders saw first-hand the need to connect Ebola frontline health workers in one of the most remote regions of the world.
By inventing the technology that is solving major connectivity problems for the planet—we are helping to protect billions of people vulnerable to the diseases, disasters, and emergencies that can strike any of us … at any time.
OneWeb OneWeb is a global communications network powered by a constellation of 650 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Headquartered in London, OneWeb enables high-speed, low latency connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities everywhere around the world. OneWeb’s satellites, network of gateway stations, and range of User Terminals, provide affordable, fast, high bandwidth, low-latency communication services connected to the IOT future, and a pathway to 5G for everyone, everywhere.
SES 
Meta The metaverse is the next evolution of social connection. Our company’s vision is to help bring the metaverse to life, so we are changing our name to reflect our commitment to this future.
Huawei 
Intel We create world-changing technology that improves the life of every person on the planet.
Intel put the silicon in Silicon Valley. For more than 50 years, Intel and our people have had a profound influence on the world, driving business and society forward by creating radical innovation that revolutionizes the way we live.
Today we are applying our reach, scale, and resources to enable our customers to capitalize more fully on the power of digital technology. Inspired by Moore’s Law, we continuously work to advance the design and manufacturing of semiconductors to help address our customers’ greatest challenges.
Ericsson Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society – a world leader in communications technology and services. Our long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, business and society to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.Our services, software and infrastructure – especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud – are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities.With approximately 115,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, we combine global scale with technology and services leadership. We support networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the world’s mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And our investments in research and development ensure that our solutions – and our customers – stay in front.Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2015 were SEK 246.9 billion (USD 29.4 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.
EchoStar Corporation EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is a premier global provider of satellite communication solutions. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., and conducting business around the globe, EchoStar is a pioneer in secure communications technologies.
Shure With a history of innovation that began in 1925, Shure has turned a passion for making great microphones and audio electronics into an obsession.
Shure continues to set the worldwide industry standard for superior, reliable products.
Rohde & Schwarz 
thinkRF thinkRF is one of the proud affiliates of the Wesley Clover International, a serial super angel, found or fund over 100 successful Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) companies, either independently or in partnership with other investors. The portfolio currently consists of public and private firms focused on next-generation Cloud and SaaS applications, hardware and services for fixed/mobile communications, video collaboration, customer engagement, analytics and more.
We are revolutionizing spectrum monitoring and intelligence. We provide ultimate visibility to wireless network operators and national regulatory agencies and empower them to optimize and utilize RF spectrum. We not only provide real-time, but also historical data and insights to guide wireless network operators in making informed decisions about their spectrum policies.
We are the leader in software-defined spectrum analysis platforms that monitor, detect and analyze complex waveforms in today’s rapidly evolving wireless landscape. Spectrum eXperience Management (SXM) is our subscription-based wireless network monitoring and intelligence solution. Wireless network operators can characterize, optimize and protect vital RF spectrum networks with real-time and historical insights on the state of wireless technologies
Aetha Consulting 
Cullen International 
NERA Consulting
ABRINT ABRINT – Brazilian Association of Internet and Telecommunications Providers is a civil association with non-economic purposes whose objectives are the representation of its members in society, government, and regulatory bodies in matters relevant to the sector.
ABRINT members are in all Brazilian states and represent companies providing internet access that have promoted, since the beginning of the network, broad digital inclusion in the country, bringing quality broadband to cities where large operators have little commercial interest. Together, they form the largest communications company in the country, according to ANATEL, which denotes the importance of regional internet providers for the integration of the largest country in South America. Regional providers have in ABRINT the institutional and political representation necessary to guarantee a healthy competitive environment and the consequent expansion of the range of services and growth of their businesses.
SINDISAT SINDISAT – National Union of Satellite Telecommunications Companies. For more information, please visit their website.
Chicas TIC LATAM Chicas TIC are a community of women who develop careers in decision-making positions within ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) companies and organizations. They have the challenge of accompanying themselves in pursuit of the integral growth of women with a professional focus through networking. They seek to encourage more women to reach leadership positions. They were born in Argentina, but they extend to all of Latin America.
The field of technology today is an essential part of all industries, and the lack of participation of women in leadership positions is repeated in many sectors. One of the difficulties in reaching key positions is the poor development of networking and contact networks. At Chicas TIC, they work to generate this network of professional support for women and reverse this situation.
Chicas TIC encourages women to encourage themselves, expand their network, create and occupy spaces, share experiences, and don’t miss happy hour or the work lunch. Make visible the initiatives and achievements of women in the sector to let them know that it is possible, that there are many of them in a similar situation, and that they can ask for help.
Convergencia Latina Since 1995, Grupo Convergencia has been the leading company providing information on the telecommunications business in Latin America and the Caribbean. Grupo Convergencia is recognized and respected for the independence and rigor of its analysis, publications, and research in the Information and Communication Technologies sector in Latin America.
Javier Juárez Mojica, Acting Chairman, IFT Mexico Javier Juárez Mojica has been Commissioner of the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) since October 2016 and acting chairman since March 2022. He is an honorary member of the Commission on Ethics in Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has been member of the OECD Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence (AIGO), and former Vice-chair of the Working Party on Communication Infrastructures and Services Policy (CISP) at the OECD (2019-2021). Commissioner Juárez has devoted a professional career of more than 15 years to the study of telecommunications and to the promotion of innovation and competition in this sector. He has participated in and organized conferences and lectures on interconnection, community and indigenous networks, local loop unbundling, virtual mobile operators, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, among others.
Mario Maniewicz, Director, Radiocommunication Bureau, ITU Mr. Mario Maniewicz was re-elected for a second term as Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 in Bucharest, Romania. Mr Maniewicz was first elected Director of the Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He first took office on January 1, 2019.
Mario Maniewicz is an electronic engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with the ITU for over 30 years, where he has held various positions of responsibility in the Radiocommunication and Development Bureaux as well as in ITU Regional Offices.
– From 2014 to 2018, he was the Deputy Director of ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau (BR), where he assisted the Director of the BR, Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academia in the vital function of global management of the radiofrequency spectrum and satellite orbits. He also headed the Informatics, Administration and Publication Department, was the overall organizer of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) and played a key role in WRC-15 serving as the Secretary of the Conference.
– From 2011 to 2014, he was the Chief of the Infrastructure, Enabling Environment and E-Applications Department in ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), where he directed the assistance to developing countries in bridging the digital divide by promoting the use of ICT-based networks, services and applications, while ensuring the use of appropriate technologies to build or extend their information and communication infrastructure, as well as adapt to the rapidly changing telecommunication/ICT environment. He also led activities aimed at providing guidelines and tools for the development of policy and regulatory frameworks, financing policies and development strategies. These included promotion of pervasive broadband deployment, transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, spectrum management and monitoring, as well as well as other areas of ICT development such as deployment of telecommunication and IP-based networks and use of reliable and cost-effective ICT applications while enhancing cyber-security. In addition, he promoted access and use of telecommunications and ICTs for groups that have been marginalized in their access to current mainstream ICT services, including women, youth, indigenous people, persons with disabilities and people living in remote communities.
– From 2007 to 2011, he was the Chief of BDT’s Policies and Strategies Department, where he led the development of telecommunications and ICT policies and regulations to assist developing countries in promoting investment and enhancing their networks and services. He was also responsible for the organization of the Global Symposium for Regulators, and he enhanced the event by incorporating the Chief Regulatory Officers and the Regional Regulatory Associations meetings. He directed other activities in the policy and regulatory domain, as well as in the areas of ICT statistical data collection and analysis, Internet and IP networks development, and human capacity building.
– From 2000 to 2007, he was the Head of the BDT’s Human Capacity Building Division, where he designed strategies and implemented projects on training, human resources management and development, organizational development and managerial development for telecommunications. He also assisted governments, regulators and operators of developing countries in the definition of their organizational and managerial strategies and policies, the identification of their Human Resource and Organizational Development needs, including training of top-level managers in modern management and competitive transformation related aspects.
– From 1993 to 2000, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Brazil Regional Office, where he managed projects in various fields such as rural telecommunication development, frequency management and monitoring, transformation of the telecommunication sector, strengthening of regulatory agencies and transformation of telecommunication operators, among others. He also played a key role in the definition of policies and regulatory frameworks for the opening of the telecommunication sector to competition in the Americas Region.
– From 1990 to 1993, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Chile Area Office, where he managed projects for the modernization and reorganization of incumbent telecommunication operators in the Americas Region. He also attended to the sectorial development needs of the countries in the region.
– From 1988 to 1990, he was Regional Expert at ITU’s Field Office in Peru, where he was responsible for the assistance to operators and regulators in developing and implementing methodologies for production and delivery of modular training in telecommunications. He also provided assistance to the countries in the region in the preparation of their top managers to face the changes in the sector, such as convergence and competition.
– From 1987 to 1988, he was the Director of ANTEL (Telecommunications Operator of Uruguay) Training Centre.
– From 1985 to 1987, he was Telecommunication Engineer at ANTEL.
– From 1979 to 1985, he was Engineering Assistant at ANTEL.
– From 1984 to 1986, he was Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering of Uruguay’s Universidad de la República, for the chair of Electronics & Circuits, as well as for the chair of Circuits & Electric Measurements.
Mr. Maniewicz is married and he has two children. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.
Oscar Leon, Executive Secretary, CITEL Mr Oscar Giovanni León Suárez is Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission. In this role he has been a fundamental ally in the development of agreements, execution of projects, and telecommunications programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Mr León has promoted and supported the development of the telecommunications industry in Latin America, which has attracted a greater number of American companies as associate members of the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission. ICT Ministries, Head of Regulators, and telecommunications companies of the Americas seek the technical advice of Mr León to improve the conditions of their telecommunications industries in the Americas and massify the use of information technology.
Mr León previously held the position of former General Director of National Spectrum Agency of Colombia. He was also Regulatory Manager of Claro Colombia (America Movil) and he has been advisor of multiple ICT Ministers and Regulatory Authorities in Latin America. He has worked for the Colombian Telecommunication Regulator and as Project Director in Solutions Providers of Microsoft.
A resourceful strategic leader with trackable successes over 25 years of ICT experience, Mr León’s major strengths include planning and execution of policy and regulatory strategies: team management for technology projects and an active network of contacts (government, regulatory, private sector, industry associations, civil society organizations and other multilateral organizations). He is recognized for strong result orientation, high degree of integrity, transparency and responsibility. He has a great ability developing and implementing successful solutions for corporate responsibility and social investment.
Mr León is an Electronic Engineer with post grade in Telecommunications Project Management and a Master in Business Administration.
Arturo Robles Rovalo, Commissioner, IFT Mexico & CCP.II Chair Arturo Robles Rovalo is a Commissioner at the Federal Institute of Telecommunications in Mexico.
Dr Robles previously worked for European telecommunications operators – such as Airtel-Vodafone in Spain – in areas related to strategic development and technological evolution, and for global consultancy firms specialized in technological, economic and political-regulatory analysis of multinational projects in telecommunications and information technologies. In addition, he was Senior Consultant at Détente Group for the deployment, evaluation, policymaking and international coordination of satellite systems for national security. In 2015, he started working at the Federal Telecommunications Institute as Deputy General Director for Prospective.
Dr Robles holds a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). He completed the Joint Doctorate in Telecommunications from Polytechnic University of Madrid and also earned a Masters degree in Signal Theory and Communications from the same University. In addition, he has taken postgraduate courses in Management of Telecommunications (Spain) and Regulation in Digital Markets (Belgium).
Oscar Leon, Executive Secretary, CITEL Mr Oscar Giovanni León Suárez is Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission. In this role he has been a fundamental ally in the development of agreements, execution of projects, and telecommunications programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Mr León has promoted and supported the development of the telecommunications industry in Latin America, which has attracted a greater number of American companies as associate members of the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission. ICT Ministries, Head of Regulators, and telecommunications companies of the Americas seek the technical advice of Mr León to improve the conditions of their telecommunications industries in the Americas and massify the use of information technology.
Mr León previously held the position of former General Director of National Spectrum Agency of Colombia. He was also Regulatory Manager of Claro Colombia (America Movil) and he has been advisor of multiple ICT Ministers and Regulatory Authorities in Latin America. He has worked for the Colombian Telecommunication Regulator and as Project Director in Solutions Providers of Microsoft.
A resourceful strategic leader with trackable successes over 25 years of ICT experience, Mr León’s major strengths include planning and execution of policy and regulatory strategies: team management for technology projects and an active network of contacts (government, regulatory, private sector, industry associations, civil society organizations and other multilateral organizations). He is recognized for strong result orientation, high degree of integrity, transparency and responsibility. He has a great ability developing and implementing successful solutions for corporate responsibility and social investment.
Mr León is an Electronic Engineer with post grade in Telecommunications Project Management and a Master in Business Administration.
Philippe Aubineau, Counsellor for ITU-R Study Groups, Radiocommunication Bureau, ITU Mr. Philippe Aubineau is Counsellor at the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). He is responsible since June 2006 for ITU-R Study Group 1 on Spectrum Management and the Conference Preparatory Meeting for the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC).
Previous to taking up his current duties, he worked as radiocommunication engineer at the France Telecom research centre where he was in charge of international frequency planning, coordination and registration for satellite networks. He then joined the Space Services Department of the BR. Since 1995, he participated with increasing level of responsibility in all the WRCs which review and revise the Radio Regulations – the international treaty governing the use of the radio frequency spectrum and the satellite orbit. Philippe Aubineau graduated from the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis.
Carlos Baigorri, President, Brazilian Telecommunications Regulatory Agency, ANATEL ANATEL’s Commissioner Carlos Baigorri, currently President of the Board of Directors, has a degree in Economic Sciences from the University of Brasília (UnB), a Master’s and Doctorate in Economics from the Catholic University of Brasília (UCB).
Acting in the telecommunications area since 2006, he was a consultant and analyst of sector information for an association of mobile operators. He has also served as an undergraduate professor at the Catholic University of Brasilia (UCB), at the Institute of Higher Education of Brasília (IESB), and at the Brazilian Institute of Capital Markets (IBMEC). In addition, he wrote articles and book chapters that were published in Brazil and abroad. He has been a permanent career employee at Anatel since 2009, where he has previously been nominated Executive Superintendent, Competition Superintendent, Obligations Control Superintendent, and Head of Technical Assistance.
Dante Ibarra, World Radiocommunication Conference Director, FCC Dante Ibarra is responsible for leading the FCC’s activities and preparatory efforts for the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC). He leads a FCC team of technical and regulatory experts to develop international spectrum policies and strategies based on U.S. and FCC policies, coordinates with other federal government agencies including the Department of State, National Telecommunications and Information Administration to develop positions for negotiations at international conferences, leads U.S. delegations to international meetings on radio spectrum access and utilization and represents the U.S./CITEL at other WRC regional group preparatory meetings.
Lizania Margarita Pérez Rodríguez, Executive Secretary, Comisión Técnica Regional de Telecomunicaciones, COMTELCA Lizania Pérez is a Telecommunications Engineer, graduated from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Santiago de los Caballeros campus, Dominican Republic. She is also a Specialist in Management Information Systems, a degree obtained at the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo. She also completed a specialty in Economics and Regulation of Telecommunications at the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana in Puerto Rico. She has completed two Master’s degrees, the first in Telecommunications Management and Information Technologies at the Escuela de Organización Industrial in Madrid, Spain, and the second was a Master’s in Cybersecurity, completed at the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo. She held several positions at the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL), the regulatory body for said sector in the Dominican Republic, assuming roles as an IT professional, in the Information and Communication Technologies Directorate of said entity, she also held the position of Specialist Engineer in the Directorate of Telecommunications Regulation and Defense of Competition and finally assumed the position of Engineer of the Department of Cybersecurity, Electronic Commerce and Digital Signature. She has worked as Cybersecurity Coordinator in other entities in the private sector and currently holds the position of Executive Secretary in the Regional Technical Commission of Telecommunications, a specialized agency of the Central American Integration System (SICA).
Esteban Gonzalez, Head of Spectrum Unit, SUTEL Costa Rica Electronics engineer with an MBA and project management specialization. He has more than 16 years of experience in telecommunications, has worked for the Superintendence of Telecommunications of Costa Rica, SUTEL, for more than 11 years. He serves as head of the spectrum, where he coordinated the design and implementation of the National Spectrum Management and Monitoring System, also he has been part of the commission for spectrum auction processes, as well as proposals for a spectrum assignment plan. He has participated as a delegate of Costa Rica in the World Radiocommunication Conferences and preparatory meetings of the PCC.II of CITEL.
Maria Myers-Hamilton, Managing Director, Spectrum Management Authority (SMA), Jamaica Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton has been a pioneer in the telecommunications field for over 30 years and is on a mission to improve coverage and connectivity for the digitally under-served citizens of Jamaica. From her current position as Managing Director at the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA), she maintains a birds-eye view of the country’s ever-expanding canopy of communication technology and spearheads initiatives that broaden and bolster digital accessibility where it matters most.
Her pursuits are grounded in the principles of education and the advancement of human knowledge and understanding. She holds a Doctorate in Education (Ed. D) in Instructional Technology & Distance Learning from Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler School of Education. Dr.Myers-Hamilton currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Task Force, an intergovernmental organization dedicated to supporting the development of the Caribbean information and communications technologies (ICT) sector. She is also Sub-Committee Chairwoman in the National Council on Education, the Director of the Jamaica Autism Support Association, and Trustee Chairperson of the e-Gov Jamaica Pension Fund.
Alejandro Navarrete Torres, Head, Radio Spectrum Unit, IFT Mexico Since October 2014 Alejandro Navarrete Torres has been the Head of the Radioelectric Spectrum Unit of the Federal Institute of Telecommunications, the regulatory body for telecommunications and broadcasting in Mexico. He is directing the planning, administration and optimization of the radioelectric spectrum, including the bidding processes for it and the orbital resources associated with it. Before that, he served as Head of the Radio and Television Systems Unit of the same Institute, and also served as Deputy General Director of the Radio and Television Systems Unit in the former Federal Telecommunications Commission.
From 2004 to December 2012 he served as General Director of the Center for Research and Innovation in Telecommunications, A.C. (Cinit) of the National Chamber of the Cable Telecommunications Industry (Canitec), where he carried out strategic planning tasks in regulatory and technological matters associated with cable telecommunications networks.
Alejandro Navarrete was Coordinator of Advisors to the Undersecretary of Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT) and Director of Television in that same Secretariat of State. For more than thirty years, he also has also been teaching in private universities in the country. He is the author and co-author of several textbooks in mathematics and technology and has served on academic, business, and regulatory advisory boards. He has participated as a speaker in different forums related to telecommunications and broadcasting in Mexico and abroad.
Alejandro Navarrete obtained a degree in electronics and communications engineering from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City in 1989 and a master of science degree with a specialty in communications and signal processing from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY, in the United States, in 1995.
, Senior Director, Space Services and International, ISED Canada Shari Scott is Senior Director, Space Services and International at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. In her current role, she is responsible for all aspects of spectrum management related to satellite spectrum, including allocation and utilization policies, engineering, licensing, and coordination. She also leads Canada’s engagement at the International Telecommunications Union – Radiocommunication Sector and at CITEL PCC.II. The past 12 of her 30 years in the federal public service have been spent in the spectrum program at ISED. Prior to that she held progressively senior positions in technology-related policy and programs at the federal level. Shari holds a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Western University.
Cristiana Camarate, Commissioner, ANATEL Brazil Graduated from the Faculty of Law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, master in Law and Public Policies from the Centro Universitário de Brasília and a master in Corporate Law from Fundación CIFF – Centro Internacional de Formación Financiera (Universidad de Alcalá/Spain). She has been a career employee at Anatel since 2007. Vice-coordinator of the Brazilian Communication Commission 4 – Telecommunications Development since 2012. At Anatel, she has been Consumer Request Handling Manager (2020-2022), Advisor in the Consumer Relations Superintendency (2017-2020), Coordinator and Deputy Manager in Institutional Interactions, Satisfaction, and Consumer Education Management (2017-2013). Cristiana also worked in the Planning Management of the Universalization Superintendency (2011-2013) and in the Grant Management of the Private Services Superintendency (2007-2011).
Natalia Vicente, Vice President of Public Affairs, GSOA Natalia Vicente is the VP of Public Affairs at GSOA where she works closely with the Secretary General and the CEOs of ESOA Member companies to drive forward high-level advocacy for the satellite communications sector. Specifically, Natalia focuses on the Development Agenda working with international organisations to ensure nation states understand the value of leveraging available satellite communications services to bridge digital, education and health divides in their countries.
Natalia is also a Board Member of the European Internet Forum where she represents ESOA in front of Members of the European Parliament. Natalia has over a decade of experience in the digital sector, focusing on public policy, government relations and building international partnerships.
Before joining ESOA, Natalia worked for the European Telecommunications Network Operator’s (ETNO) working on public and regulatory affairs. Prior to that, she worked for Telefonica, Telecom Italia and TagTagCity, where she was one of the first employees involved in establishing a start-up venture providing mobile solutions to municipalities and local businesses in Belgium.
Natalia is a qualified lawyer with an LLM from the University Autonoma of Madrid and holds a Master of Business Administration specialised in Marketing. She is a Spanish national, lives in Brussels and speaks 4 languages.
Jose Arias, Head of Global Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Nokia José Arias is an advocate, strategist, and advisor to the Nokia Leadership Team in public policy, technology regulation, connectivity, and digitalization to enable respective portfolio and business strategies.
José previously was Head of Government Affairs for LATAM North & the Caribbean in Nokia, former General Director of Spectrum Planning, and Director of Wireless Technologies at the Mexican regulator, where he held several leadership roles in international organizations, including Chair of the Terrestrial Services Committee at ITU, and worked in Alcatel-Lucent in the fields of business development, corporate strategy, pre-sales, and wireless network design.
José has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Regulation and Economic Competition, and an Engineering in Communications and Electronics.
Luciana Camargos, Head of Spectrum, GSMA Luciana Camargos is the GSMA’s Head of Spectrum. She directs the GSMA’s range of advocacy issues on public policy relating to spectrum with national governments and multilateral organisations.
Luciana’s career began with Brazilian regulator Anatel, where she worked as part of the board advisory team. She joined the GSMA in 2012, where she has continued to be active in shaping the future of mobile services at international forums such as the ITU, CITEL, and other multilateral organisations.
She has chaired regulatory groups charged with developing communications regulation at the ITU and in regional organisations. She is an active supporter of the role of women in technology and is a former chair of the ITU’s Network of Women.
Luciana earned an MBA in telecommunications from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, and a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Brasilia.
Jose Ayala, Global Policy Advocacy Director for Latin America, Ericsson Mr. Ayala is Director of Policy Advocacy for Latin America since 2010, where he promotes favorable spectrum policies that enable investments and mass adoption of mobile broadband services in the region.
In addition, Mr. Ayala chairs the GSA spectrum team for the CITEL Region since 2020, where he coordinates initiatives aiming to release new spectrum for next generation cellular technologies with leading industry stakeholders.
He joined Ericsson in the year 2000, and has worked in the areas of Sales Support, Engineering and Business Development, in Latin America and the USA.
Prior to joining Ericsson, Mr. Ayala held executive positions at leading telecom Operators in Central America, United States, and Spain, where he built a solid experience in areas of sales, operations, and engineering involving mobile, satellite, fixed, IP, and transport technologies.
He holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology University under a Fulbright Scholarship and is a former fellow from Hispano-American Telecom Association ASIET.
Cristiane Corrêa, Counsel Leader, ABRINT Corporate Lawyer, graduated in Law from FD/USP and in Economics from FEA/USP (visiting scholar), with a specialization in Business Law from FD/USP. Also holds the title of specialist in Digital Law from the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society – Harvard University – Cambridge, USA, and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the San Tiago Dantas Program – Universidade Estadual de Campinas – UNICAMP. Academic experience in the field of Political Science, with an emphasis on International Political Economy. Professional consultative practice on regulatory policies for telecommunications and tax policies.
With an institutional and diplomatic profile, Ms Corrêa was appointed by Brazil’s Presidency of the Republic to serve as the President of Advisory Council of ANATEL, representing Telecommunications Service Providers (2020-February, 2023). She leads the Board of Directors of Abrint and is part of the Advisory Council of LAC-ISP, with institutional activity focused on Latin America. She actively participated in various sectoral studies and analyses of national and international public policies conducted by ITU, OECD, and UNESCO.
Sergio Marquez, Director - Regulatory Affairs, EchoStar Corporation Sergio Márquez is Director of Regulatory Affairs at EchoStar Corporation, where he plays a pivotal role in overseeing the implementation of advanced spectrum management and satellite coordination strategies for the company’s current services and near-term roadmaps. With a master’s degree in Regulation of Telecommunications from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Sergio is a seasoned expert in technical matters related to spectrum and radiocommunications.
Sergio’s experience includes managing and optimizing spectrum resources, ensuring compliance with international and domestic regulations, and mitigating interference issues. Before joining EchoStar, he held several key positions at the Federal Institute of Telecommunications in Mexico, where he was instrumental in spectrum management and monitoring.
Known for his remarkable problem-solving skills, Sergio adeptly navigates the complex landscape of spectrum regulation. He is a regular and active participant in international forums such as the International Telecommunication Union and the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission.
Hector Marin, Senior Director, Government Affairs, Qualcomm Hector Marin is Senior Director, Government Affairs for Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and the Andean region. In this position, his main goal is to manage the regulatory policy and strategic initiatives for the deployment and advancement of Qualcomm’s technologies and services.
Mr Marin participates in the activities of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and other international forums. He joined Qualcomm in August 2001 as Director of Business Development for Mexico and Central America.
Mr Marin has more than 32 years of experience in wireless systems, and has written several articles for specialized telecom magazines.
Mr Marin his professional career in October 1989 as a Cell Planning Engineer at Ericsson. In January 1992 he started working for Lucent Technologies as a Wireless Systems Sales Subdirector and in September 1997 he was transferred to the Bell Labs in New Jersey. Two years later he rejoined Lucent Technologies in Mexico City as the Sales Technical Support Director. Hector is Communications and Electronics Engineer graduated from the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN).
Ryan Johnson, Senior Director, Global Market Access, & Government Affairs Lead for Latin America, Viasat Ryan Johnson is the Senior Director for Global Government Affairs at the global satellite broadband firm Viasat. He is also the co-chair of the Americas Working Group in the Global Satellite Operators’ Association (GSOA). He holds a master’s degree in Internet governance from the University of Malta and a bachelor’s in political science from Indiana Wesleyan University. Prior to joining Viasat, he worked for over 10 years in the global technology policy space, with a focus on cybersecurity, development, and connecting the unconnected. His work has been published in academic journals, magazines, and UN publications.
Daniela Rivera, Digital Policy Manager, Amazon Daniela Rivera is Public Policy Manager for Amazon in Mexico, covering Digital Policy issues. Ms Rivera joined Amazon in 2022 after 10 years in the Secretary of Communications, Infrastructure and Transportation in Mexico, where she served in multiple roles including as chief of staff of the Undersecretary, international policy advisor, digital inclusion director, and head of the international department of the Undersecretary of Communications.
Ms Rivera holds a Bachelor’s degree in international affairs from the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico.
Hazem Moakkit, Vice President, Spectrum Strategy, Intelsat Hazem Moakkit is a veteran of the satellite industry, where he has worked for over 22 years in various capacities. He currently serves as the Vice President for Spectrum Development at O3b Networks, where he leads the creation and implementation of O3b’s global spectrum strategy.
Prior to O3b, Hazem spent 5 years at Yahsat in the United Arab Emirates as the Director of Regulatory & Spectrum Affairs, where he successfully created and managed the Spectrum Strategy and led the acquisition of licenses and key orbital assets for the startup operator. He was also instrumental in devising the business strategy for Yahsat.
Early on in his career, Hazem held various engineering and spectrum positions at Intelsat, PanAmSat, and ATCI. Hazem holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University, an MBA degree from Georgetown University.
Mario Maniewicz, Director, Radiocommunication Bureau, ITU Mr. Mario Maniewicz was re-elected for a second term as Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 in Bucharest, Romania. Mr Maniewicz was first elected Director of the Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He first took office on January 1, 2019.
Mario Maniewicz is an electronic engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with the ITU for over 30 years, where he has held various positions of responsibility in the Radiocommunication and Development Bureaux as well as in ITU Regional Offices.
– From 2014 to 2018, he was the Deputy Director of ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau (BR), where he assisted the Director of the BR, Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academia in the vital function of global management of the radiofrequency spectrum and satellite orbits. He also headed the Informatics, Administration and Publication Department, was the overall organizer of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) and played a key role in WRC-15 serving as the Secretary of the Conference.
– From 2011 to 2014, he was the Chief of the Infrastructure, Enabling Environment and E-Applications Department in ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), where he directed the assistance to developing countries in bridging the digital divide by promoting the use of ICT-based networks, services and applications, while ensuring the use of appropriate technologies to build or extend their information and communication infrastructure, as well as adapt to the rapidly changing telecommunication/ICT environment. He also led activities aimed at providing guidelines and tools for the development of policy and regulatory frameworks, financing policies and development strategies. These included promotion of pervasive broadband deployment, transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, spectrum management and monitoring, as well as well as other areas of ICT development such as deployment of telecommunication and IP-based networks and use of reliable and cost-effective ICT applications while enhancing cyber-security. In addition, he promoted access and use of telecommunications and ICTs for groups that have been marginalized in their access to current mainstream ICT services, including women, youth, indigenous people, persons with disabilities and people living in remote communities.
– From 2007 to 2011, he was the Chief of BDT’s Policies and Strategies Department, where he led the development of telecommunications and ICT policies and regulations to assist developing countries in promoting investment and enhancing their networks and services. He was also responsible for the organization of the Global Symposium for Regulators, and he enhanced the event by incorporating the Chief Regulatory Officers and the Regional Regulatory Associations meetings. He directed other activities in the policy and regulatory domain, as well as in the areas of ICT statistical data collection and analysis, Internet and IP networks development, and human capacity building.
– From 2000 to 2007, he was the Head of the BDT’s Human Capacity Building Division, where he designed strategies and implemented projects on training, human resources management and development, organizational development and managerial development for telecommunications. He also assisted governments, regulators and operators of developing countries in the definition of their organizational and managerial strategies and policies, the identification of their Human Resource and Organizational Development needs, including training of top-level managers in modern management and competitive transformation related aspects.
– From 1993 to 2000, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Brazil Regional Office, where he managed projects in various fields such as rural telecommunication development, frequency management and monitoring, transformation of the telecommunication sector, strengthening of regulatory agencies and transformation of telecommunication operators, among others. He also played a key role in the definition of policies and regulatory frameworks for the opening of the telecommunication sector to competition in the Americas Region.
– From 1990 to 1993, he was Regional Administrator at ITU’s Chile Area Office, where he managed projects for the modernization and reorganization of incumbent telecommunication operators in the Americas Region. He also attended to the sectorial development needs of the countries in the region.
– From 1988 to 1990, he was Regional Expert at ITU’s Field Office in Peru, where he was responsible for the assistance to operators and regulators in developing and implementing methodologies for production and delivery of modular training in telecommunications. He also provided assistance to the countries in the region in the preparation of their top managers to face the changes in the sector, such as convergence and competition.
– From 1987 to 1988, he was the Director of ANTEL (Telecommunications Operator of Uruguay) Training Centre.
– From 1985 to 1987, he was Telecommunication Engineer at ANTEL.
– From 1979 to 1985, he was Engineering Assistant at ANTEL.
– From 1984 to 1986, he was Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering of Uruguay’s Universidad de la República, for the chair of Electronics & Circuits, as well as for the chair of Circuits & Electric Measurements.
Mr. Maniewicz is married and he has two children. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.
Marcelo Rute, Head of the Telecommunications Development Fund, SUBTEL Chile Marcelo Rute is an Electronic Civil Engineer from Federico Santa María University. He is a professional with more than 10 years of experience in telecommunications, having participated since 2010 in engineering projects for the design and deployment of radio communications for mining in the company Interexport S.A., current Motorola Radio Solutions, and between 2014 and 2017 in the company Entel S.A., both in mobile deployment projects for Inbuilding Solutions and in the Purchasing Management in charge of the company’s technical purchases, including technological platforms and core network equipment, among others.
Since 2019, he has worked for the Undersecretary of Telecommunications, initially as an engineer in the design of optical telecommunications infrastructure projects such as National Fiber Optic and in the management of last-mile solutions with financing from regional governments. He also carries out contributions to the 5G Spectrum Tender and participates in initiatives transversal to the Undersecretariat on issues related to reducing the digital divide. As of 2022, he assumes the position of Division Head of the Telecommunications Development Fund, being an active participant in global initiatives of the Undersecretariat such as the Digital Agenda 2035 and the development of the Humboldt Cable project, in addition to all the Development Fund projects. In telecommunications, an essential instrument in closing the digital divide is the government of Chile.
Maria Myers-Hamilton, Managing Director, Spectrum Management Authority of Jamaica Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton has been a pioneer in the telecommunications field for over 30 years and is on a mission to improve coverage and connectivity for the digitally under-served citizens of Jamaica. From her current position as Managing Director at the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA), she maintains a birds-eye view of the country’s ever-expanding canopy of communication technology and spearheads initiatives that broaden and bolster digital accessibility where it matters most.
Her pursuits are grounded in the principles of education and the advancement of human knowledge and understanding. She holds a Doctorate in Education (Ed. D) in Instructional Technology & Distance Learning from Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler School of Education. Dr.Myers-Hamilton currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Task Force, an intergovernmental organization dedicated to supporting the development of the Caribbean information and communications technologies (ICT) sector. She is also Sub-Committee Chairwoman in the National Council on Education, the Director of the Jamaica Autism Support Association, and Trustee Chairperson of the e-Gov Jamaica Pension Fund.
Alberto Delgado, Radio Spectrum Director, INDOTEL Alberto Delgado, is the Director of Radioelectric Spectrum, at INDOTEL, Dominican Republic. With more than 20 years of experience in Spectrum monitoring and Management, graduated in electronics and telecommunications engineering from the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo with a master’s degree in Top Management from the same house of studies.
• Strong background in Wireless Technologies (GSM, LTE, WIMAX and RF).
• Proven skills in Frequency Spectrum Monitoring, Management and Planning.
• Professional communication skills include fluency in English and Spanish.
Neşe Guendelsberger, Deputy Chief, Office of International Affairs, FCC Nese Guendelsberger is the Deputy Chief of the Office of International Affairs. Previously, Ms. Guendelsberger served as the Chief of the Spectrum and Competition Policy Division in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. She also worked in the Wireline Competition Bureau and in the Wireless Bureau’s former Auctions and Industry Analysis Division.
Prior to joining the FCC in 2000, Ms. Guendelsberger taught law at the University of Baltimore and the University of Ankara and was a consultant on international law matters. Ms. Guendelsberger has an LL.M. from the University of Michigan as well as law degrees from the University of Paris I (Pantheon-Sorbonne) and the University of Ankara.
Cristiana Camarate, Superintendent, Consumer Relations, ANATEL Brazil Graduated from the Faculty of Law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, master in Law and Public Policies from the Centro Universitário de Brasília and a master in Corporate Law from Fundación CIFF – Centro Internacional de Formación Financiera (Universidad de Alcalá/Spain). She has been a career employee at Anatel since 2007. Vice-coordinator of the Brazilian Communication Commission 4 – Telecommunications Development since 2012. At Anatel, she has been Consumer Request Handling Manager (2020-2022), Advisor in the Consumer Relations Superintendency (2017-2020), Coordinator and Deputy Manager in Institutional Interactions, Satisfaction, and Consumer Education Management (2017-2013). He also worked in the Planning Management of the Universalization Superintendency (2011-2013) and in the Grant Management of the Private Services Superintendency (2007-2011).
Wilmer Azurza, Coordinator of Networks and Radio Spectrum Management, MTC Peru More information available shortly.
Martha Suarez, President, Dynamic Spectrum Alliance Martha Suarez was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia. She received her degree as Electronics Engineer from the Universidad Industrial de Santander in 2004. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in an exchange program with the Ecole Superieure Chimie Physique Electronique de Lyon, France, in 2001. She received her master’s degree in high frequency communication systems from the University of Marne-la-Vallee, France, in 2006 and her Ph.D. degree from the University Paris-Est in 2009. She joined the department of Telecommunications and Signal Processing at the École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs en Électronique et Électrotechnique de Paris ESIEE and the Esycom Research Center, where she worked on wireless transmitter architectures. In 2011, she was awarded with a Marie Curie Fellowship and worked at the Instytut Technologii Elektronowej ITE in Poland for the Partnership for Cognitive Radio (Par4CR) European Project. Her research interests were in the areas of wireless system architectures and the design of high performance Radio Frequency (RF) transceivers.
In 2013, she joined the National Spectrum Agency in Colombia, ANE, where she worked as Senior Adviser to the General Director and supported the international activities of the Agency. Afterwards, in December 2015, she became the General Director of ANE and continued promoting the efficient use of the Spectrum and the mobile broadband connectivity in Colombia.
Since the 1st of May 2019, Martha Suarez has been the President of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance DSA, a global organization advocating for laws and regulations that will lead to more efficient and effective spectrum utilization, which is essential to addressing key worldwide social and economic challenges.
Carlos Riopedre, COO & Managing Director, Sateliot Graduated in Economics, Actuarial (UB, Universitat Barcelona), and with a Post-Graduated program PDD at IESE Business School, and DIBEX – Digital Business Program at ISDI.
Experienced Manager with 20+ years in Telco and IT sectors in top level positions (CEO, General Manager, Sales Manager), and 10+ years as a Board Member in different companies. Leading startups and innovative companies in high-growth stages, with a decisive contribution to the opening of new national and international markets, to successfully closing M&A processes, and to obtain funding both in equity and debt (85M€+).
Cesar Funes, Vice President, Latin America Public Affairs, Huawei Mr. Funes is currently the VP of Public Affairs in Latin America at Huawei. He is passionate about cultivating institutional and commercial relationships with ICT industry executives, regional associations, and multilateral organizations, with a special focus on public affairs.
Experienced Sales Professional in the Telecommunications and IT market, with a focus on the Mexico / Latam Regional Service Providers and Government sectors; wide knowledge of the Internet and Mobility Industry, strong business management background, driven for results and proven leadership in developing and executing business strategies.
Milene Franco Pereira, Senior Manager, Government Affairs, Qualcomm Milene Franco Pereira is the Senior Manager of Government Affairs at Qualcomm Serviços de Telecomunicações Ltda. She joined the company in 2016. Milene is part of the team responsible for government related activities in Latin America countries. Amongst her main activities are spectrum, regulatory and policy issues, and social responsibility initiatives such as Wireless Reach. She is also rapporteur of the Rapporteurship on Technological Innovation, Digital Economy, Internet of Things, Smart Cities and Communities at the Permanent Consultative Committee I (PCC I) of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL).
Milene holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Brasilia (UnB), Brazil, and an Associate of Science Degree in Computer Engineering from the Montgomery College, USA.
Jose Ayala, Global Policy Advocacy Director, Ericsson Mr. Ayala currently chairs the Spectrum Group of the GSA Association for the CITEL Region.
In addition, Mr. Ayala serves as Director of Government and Industry Relations for Latin America at Ericsson and is responsible for leading the strategy regarding telecom policies that favor the mass adoption of broadband services in the region. He joined Ericsson in the USA in 2000 and moved to Latin American operations in 2002. In his position, Mr. Ayala has supported several governments, developing successful strategies in areas of spectrum management, national ICT plans, and mobile broadband strategies.
Prior to joining Ericsson, Mr. Ayala worked with leading telecom operators based in Central America, the United States, and Spain. He is a telecommunications engineer with over twenty years of experience in the industry. Mr. Ayala holds a Master Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology University under a Fullbright Scholarship. In addition, he received a fellowship from Hispano-American Telecom Association ASIET in Madrid, Spain.
Mindel De La Torre, Chief Regulatory and International Strategy Officer, Omnispace Mindel De La Torre joined Omnispace LLC in April 2017 as Chief Regulatory and International Strategy Officer, where she heads up efforts to obtain market entry for the company’s non-geostationary satellite system. Before joining Omnispace, she was Chief of the International Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for over 7 years, where she managed a staff of 120 attorneys, engineers, economists, and international relations specialists. In that role, she led the FCC’s efforts internationally, both on a bilateral and multilateral basis. She oversaw the International Bureau’s functions with regard to licensing of international and domestic satellites, international telecommunications and broadcast, and submarine cables.
Ms. De La Torre was president of Telecommunications Management Group, Inc. (TMG), a consulting firm in the Washington DC area from 1998-2009. Her work at TMG included advising businesses, international organizations, and regulators on issues relevant to the liberalization and commercialization of the telecommunications sector, as well as spectrum resources.
She has had leadership positions on US delegations to ITU conferences, such as World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC), World Telecommunication Development Conferences, and Plenipotentiary Conferences. She has actively participated in regional telecommunications organizations, such as CITEL and APEC, as well as the OECD.
Ms. De La Torre has a BA from Vanderbilt University and a JD from the University of Texas. She is a member of the Texas Bar, and the Federal Communications Bar Association.
Kalpak Gude, Head of Domestic Regulatory Affairs, Project Kuiper, Amazon Mr. Kalpak is currently the Head of Domestic Regulatory Affairs, Project Kuiper, at Amazon. He is a highly accomplished legal executive with demonstrated success delivering on complex business opportunities while managing legal, regulatory, and business risks globally. Team-oriented leader with a strategic and analytical focus, strong transactional, negotiation, and communication skills, and a unique combination of legal and engineering training. Experienced with initial public offerings, mergers, and joint ventures.
Michelle Caldeira, Senior Legal & Regulatory Counsel, SES Michelle Machado Caldeira has over 20 years of experience in the satellite and telecommunications sectors, and she has been the Senior Legal & Regulatory Counsel at SES since 2015. Michelle is part of the team responsible for government-related activities in Brazil and Latin America, and amongst her main activities are spectrum, regulatory, and policy issues.
Michelle holds a Master’s degree in Law from the Public Law Institute (IDP-SP), a post-graduate degree in Business Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).
Carolina Limbatto, Head of Americas, Cullen International Carolina Limbatto is an economist specialising in regulatory and competition issues. She has worked for Cullen International since 2014, monitoring, reporting, and benchmarking regulatory issues and policy developments in telecommunications, media, and the digital economy in the Americas.
Ms. Limbatto is the lead author of the Telecoms Cross-Country Analysis report and the spectrum service in the Americas. Ms. Limbatto also regularly participates in regional relevant forums, engages with main stakeholders, provides a neutral and accurate assessment, and provides training and briefings on policy and regulatory issues. Before joining Cullen, Ms. Limbatto worked at the Argentinian telecoms regulator for five years, advising on regulatory and economic issues.
Luciana Camargos, Head of Spectrum, GSMA Luciana Camargos is the GSMA’s Head of Spectrum. She directs the GSMA’s range of advocacy issues on public policy relating to spectrum with national governments and multilateral organisations.
Luciana’s career began with Brazilian regulator Anatel, where she worked as part of the board advisory team. She joined the GSMA in 2012, where she has continued to be active in shaping the future of mobile services at international forums such as the ITU, CITEL, and other multilateral organisations.
She has chaired regulatory groups charged with developing communications regulation at the ITU and in regional organisations. She is an active supporter of the role of women in technology and is a former chair of the ITU’s Network of Women.
Luciana earned an MBA in telecommunications from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, and a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Brasilia.
José Arias, Global Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Nokia José Arias is an advocate, strategist, and advisor to the Nokia Leadership Team in public policy, technology regulation, connectivity, and digitalization to enable respective portfolio and business strategies.
José previously was Head of Government Affairs for LATAM North & the Caribbean in Nokia, former General Director of Spectrum Planning, and Director of Wireless Technologies at the Mexican regulator, where he held several leadership roles in international organizations, including Chair of the Terrestrial Services Committee at ITU, and worked in Alcatel-Lucent in the fields of business development, corporate strategy, pre-sales, and wireless network design.
José has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Regulation and Economic Competition, and an Engineering in Communications and Electronics.
Electronics Engineer, MBA and Telecommunications Specialist with more than 15 years of experience in bridging the digital divide in LATAM. She is convinced that ICT diffusion, understood as a means and not an end, is necessary to improve people’s lives, understand their needs and find solutions through technology.
Paola has worked with the National Spectrum Agency of Colombia, where she was Deputy Director of Spectrum Management and Technical Planning. She has been a Senior Consultant to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is now Senior Analyst Americas at Cullen.
She is a recognised project facilitator who has advised government agencies in Latin America and the Caribbean on ICT. The projects developed at national and international level have focused on policy and strategic planning, management and optimisation of spectrum use, connectivity, regulatory analysis of the ICT sector, services and satellite networks and broadcasting, including television, 4IR, technological governance and smart cities and territories, among others.
Arturo Robles Rovalo is a Commissioner at the Federal Institute of Telecommunications in Mexico.
Dr Robles previously worked for European telecommunications operators – such as Airtel-Vodafone in Spain – in areas related to strategic development and technological evolution, and for global consultancy firms specialized in technological, economic and political-regulatory analysis of multinational projects in telecommunications and information technologies. In addition, he was Senior Consultant at Détente Group for the deployment, evaluation, policymaking and international coordination of satellite systems for national security. In 2015, he started working at the Federal Telecommunications Institute as Deputy General Director for Prospective.
Dr Robles holds a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). He completed the Joint Doctorate in Telecommunications from Polytechnic University of Madrid and also earned a Masters degree in Signal Theory and Communications from the same University. In addition, he has taken postgraduate courses in Management of Telecommunications (Spain) and Regulation in Digital Markets (Belgium).
Oscar León has more than 18 years of experience in the ICT sector and extensive experience in project management, the implementation of new business, and the appropriation of new technologies. He is an Electronics Engineer with a postgraduate degree in Telecommunications Project Management and a master’s degree in Business Administration.
He was Director of Projects at Solutions Providers of Microsoft, he worked for the Colombian telecommunications regulator, was the Regulation Manager for Claro (América Móvil Colombia) and he has been Advisor to three Ministers of Communications. He was Director-General of the National Agency of Spectrum of Colombia for almost 5 years and was elected Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission, CITEL, since September 2015. Oscar León has served as international speaker for the development of wireless broadband services,electromagnetic fields and their relationship with human health, and the auction spectrum as a strategic element for the development of countries. He has been awarded with:
1. Medal for Merit in Communications, first class in gold, for his contribution to the development of ICTs in Colombia.
2. The Medal for Merit in Communications, third class in bronze, for the excellent results obtained during the auction sales of spectrum for the 4-G mobile generation.
3. The Military Medal of San Gabriel for the Military Communications Support Service. He was appointed by the International Telecommunication Union for the Americas Region as Vice President of the Group 5 – environment and climate change which studies the relationship between radio fields and health.
Mr. Philippe Aubineau is Counsellor at the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). He is responsible since June 2006 for ITU-R Study Group 1 on Spectrum Management and the Conference Preparatory Meeting for the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC). Previous to taking up his current duties, he worked as radiocommunication engineer at the France Telecom research centre where he was in charge of international frequency planning, coordination and registration for satellite networks. He then joined the Space Services Department of the BR. Since 1995, he participated with increasing level of responsibility in all the WRCs which review and revise the Radio Regulations – the international treaty governing the use of the radio frequency spectrum and the satellite orbit. Philippe Aubineau graduated from the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis.
Nine months on from WRC-23, work has begun in earnest in analysing the outcomes and the impact of the decisions that were taken; and on identifying and implementing the next steps for the region as the next cycle and the journey towards WRC-27 already begins. With the first post-WRC PCC.II meeting being held in Montevideo in April this year and a second meeting set to take place immediately following the conclusion of this conference, this session will provide an opportunity to look at the positions that are emerging and the significant topics that will likely dominate discussions over the next 4 years. Additionally, the session will explore the different priorities of industry players as we move towards WRC-27, and more broadly on the best way forward to ensure the continued drive in the region towards a regulatory framework to enable the value of spectrum to be realized.
Ramiro Camacho Castillo was appointed Commissioner of the Federal Telecommunications Institute of Mexico (IFT) in March of 2019 for a period of nine years.
Commissioner Camacho has worked as an economist at the competition and telecommunications authorities of Mexico for the past twelve years. He was General Director of Economic Consulting at IFT and Deputy General Director of Economic Studies at the Competition Commission (COFECE). Previously, he was an Associated Professor at the University of Guadalajara for eleven years.
Commissioner Camacho holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from the University of Guadalajara, and three master’s degrees: In Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; in Operations Research from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM); and in Energy Economics from Scuola Superiore Enrico Mattei in Italy.
More information available shortly.
Mr. Ayala is Director of Policy Advocacy for Latin America since 2010, where he promotes favorable spectrum policies that enable investments and mass adoption of mobile broadband services in the region.
In addition, Mr. Ayala chairs the GSA spectrum team for the CITEL Region since 2020, where he coordinates initiatives aiming to release new spectrum for next generation cellular technologies with leading industry stakeholders.
He joined Ericsson in the year 2000, and has worked in the areas of Sales Support, Engineering and Business Development, in Latin America and the USA.
Prior to joining Ericsson, Mr. Ayala held executive positions at leading telecom Operators in Central America, United States, and Spain, where he built a solid experience in areas of sales, operations, and engineering involving mobile, satellite, fixed, IP, and transport technologies.
He holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology University under a Fulbright Scholarship and is a former fellow from Hispano-American Telecom Association ASIET.
Natalia Vicente is the VP of Public Affairs at GSOA where she works closely with the Secretary General and the CEOs of ESOA Member companies to drive forward high-level advocacy for the satellite communications sector. Specifically, Natalia focuses on the Development Agenda working with international organisations to ensure nation states understand the value of leveraging available satellite communications services to bridge digital, education and health divides in their countries.
Natalia is also a Board Member of the European Internet Forum where she represents ESOA in front of Members of the European Parliament. Natalia has over a decade of experience in the digital sector, focusing on public policy, government relations and building international partnerships.
Before joining ESOA, Natalia worked for the European Telecommunications Network Operator’s (ETNO) working on public and regulatory affairs. Prior to that, she worked for Telefonica, Telecom Italia and TagTagCity, where she was one of the first employees involved in establishing a start-up venture providing mobile solutions to municipalities and local businesses in Belgium.
Natalia is a qualified lawyer with an LLM from the University Autonoma of Madrid and holds a Master of Business Administration specialised in Marketing. She is a Spanish national, lives in Brussels and speaks 4 languages.
Adriana Servín Villada has accumulated 25 years of experience in corporate law and information technology in the main technology companies that operate in Mexico such as Oracle and Microsoft as a lawyer in which she provided advice on Agreements in different lines of business, both in private and government sector, responsible for supporting anti-piracy matters and operations, as well as the relationship with different levels of Government authorities in matters of information technology and matters related to communications. Servín Villada experienced a growing range of responsibilities by continuing to gain experience in companies in the technology sector such as Ingram Micro as Legal Director in the world’s leading company in Technology Distribution and the financial sector. As well as a Director of Legal and Government Affairs of Lexmark International de México, the Mexican subsidiary, world leader in printing technology and business services. She has been recognized for her knowledge of information technology law, social responsibility, creation of zero-impact environmental policies, sustainability, mentoring and coaching for women, inclusion and diversity policies, teleworking, the National Digital Agenda, the importance of information technologies for Mexico, among others.
WRC-23 highlighted the very different opinions that remain across the Americas region when it comes to the best solution for the long-term future of the 6GHz band. The US and Canada have taken a path towards an unlicensed allocation across the entire band, contrasting with many countries across Latin America who are leaving options open to possibly explore a licensed regime in the upper part of the band (a footnote was signed up to by Brazil and Mexico which identified the band for IMT, whilst also recognizing the use of the band by WAS/RLANs). Against this backdrop, this session will analyze the current landscape in the allocation of the 6GHz band, especially for the upper part of the band and explore emerging positions across countries regarding its use. It will also look at the technical and regulatory factors that could play a part in the decision-making process for countries as they look to decide the best way forward for the future use of the band and discuss whether a ‘win-win’ approach that meets the connectivity needs of all different stakeholders can still be a possibility.
Razvan regularly advises mobile and fixed operators, as well as regulators and financial institutions, on highly strategic projects.
Razvan has supported clients on a broad range of topics, including valuing spectrum and preparing bid strategies ahead of major multi-band 5G auctions for multiple mobile operators. Razvan has also developed innovative business plans for the deployment of 5G infrastructure or mobile market entry initiatives.
Additionally, Razvan has supported operators and financial institutions on multiple transactions, including developing network integration models to assess synergies and integration costs, as well as conducting detailed technical and commercial due diligence.
Prior to joining Aetha, Razvan obtained an M.Eng from the University of Cambridge, specialising in Manufacturing Engineering and Management.
Agostinho Linhares, Executive Director of the Research Institute for Digital Economy (IPE Digital), brings over 20 years of telecom sector expertise. He holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering, with an MSc and PhD in Telecommunications. Currently completing an Executive MBA in Business Management, he also holds specialization courses in Telecom Regulation and Public Administration. He has held key positions at the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), such as Manager of Spectrum, Orbit, and Broadcasting, Acting Superintendent, and Advisor to the Board of Directors. In the Executive Branch, he provided valuable expertise as Advisor to the National Secretary of Telecommunications and as the General-Coordinator of Telecommunications Regulatory Monitoring. He also served as a member of the High Council of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) from 2022 to 2023. Currently, he is also a member of the Radio Regulation Board at the International Telecommunication Union. He has published nearly 40 scientific papers.
Rafael Sánchez is a seasoned Telecommunications Engineer with a postgraduate degree in Telecommunications Networks. Possessing nearly four decades of industry experience. Since joining INDOTEL in 2000, Sánchez has held key roles in various departments, including Concessions and Licensing, Regulation and Defense of Competition, and Monitoring and Management of the Radioelectric Spectrum. He currently serves as the Manager of the Spectrum Department.
A dedicated member of the CITEL’s CCPII, Sánchez holds the position of Vice President of the Terrestrial Group. His expertise in the field is further evidenced by his consistent participation in the Dominican Republic delegation to World Radiocommunication Conferences since 2012, including leadership roles.
Daniela Rivera is Public Policy Manager for Amazon in Mexico, covering Digital Policy issues. Ms Rivera joined Amazon in 2022 after 10 years in the Secretary of Communications, Infrastructure and Transportation in Mexico, where she served in multiple roles including as chief of staff of the Undersecretary, international policy advisor, digital inclusion director, and head of the international department of the Undersecretary of Communications.
Ms Rivera holds a Bachelor’s degree in international affairs from the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico.
José Arias is an advocate, strategist, and advisor to the Nokia Leadership Team in public policy, technology regulation, connectivity, and digitalization to enable respective portfolio and business strategies.
José previously was Head of Government Affairs for LATAM North & the Caribbean in Nokia, former General Director of Spectrum Planning, and Director of Wireless Technologies at the Mexican regulator, where he held several leadership roles in international organizations, including Chair of the Terrestrial Services Committee at ITU, and worked in Alcatel-Lucent in the fields of business development, corporate strategy, pre-sales, and wireless network design.
José has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Regulation and Economic Competition, and an Engineering in Communications and Electronics.
Luciana Camargos is the GSMA’s Head of Spectrum. She directs the GSMA’s range of advocacy issues on public policy relating to spectrum with national governments and multilateral organisations.
Luciana’s career began with Brazilian regulator Anatel, where she worked as part of the board advisory team. She joined the GSMA in 2012, where she has continued to be active in shaping the future of mobile services at international forums such as the ITU, CITEL, and other multilateral organisations.
She has chaired regulatory groups charged with developing communications regulation at the ITU and in regional organisations. She is an active supporter of the role of women in technology and is a former chair of the ITU’s Network of Women.
Luciana earned an MBA in telecommunications from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, and a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Brasilia.
Corporate Lawyer, graduated in Law from FD/USP and in Economics from FEA/USP (visiting scholar), with a specialization in Business Law from FD/USP. Also holds the title of specialist in Digital Law from the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society – Harvard University – Cambridge, USA, and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the San Tiago Dantas Program – Universidade Estadual de Campinas – UNICAMP. Academic experience in the field of Political Science, with an emphasis on International Political Economy. Professional consultative practice on regulatory policies for telecommunications and tax policies.
With an institutional and diplomatic profile, Ms Corrêa was appointed by Brazil’s Presidency of the Republic to serve as the President of Advisory Council of ANATEL, representing Telecommunications Service Providers (2020-February, 2023). She leads the Board of Directors of Abrint and is part of the Advisory Council of LAC-ISP, with institutional activity focused on Latin America. She actively participated in various sectoral studies and analyses of national and international public policies conducted by ITU, OECD, and UNESCO.
Around the world, the 3.5GHz has been critical as the pioneer band for the initial rollout of 5G services. For those countries still working to launch 5G, ensuring that the spectrum in this key frequency band is brought to market as quickly as possible should be seen as a primary priority. Against this backdrop, this session will look at the current situation regarding the award of 3.5GHz spectrum across the Latin America region. It will look at recent auctions and assignments that have taken place across the region, the different mechanisms and models that have been used, and the results that have been seen. It will look at the progress that is being made in those countries still planning for their 3.5GHz awards, and the role that the band plays more broadly in national broadband plans across the region. It will discuss anticipated future auctions, harmonization efforts within the ITU framework, and the crucial aspect of maximizing the spectrum’s potential while balancing various services.
Mr. Ravi has nearly a decade of experience as a strategic consultant and expert in network industries. With this expertise he has assisted firms worldwide in executing crucial business and investment decisions.
Mr. Ravi has nearly a decade of experience as a strategic consultant and expert in network industries. With this expertise he has assisted firms worldwide in executing crucial business and investment decisions.
Wilmer is a telecommunications expert with more than 15 years of experience in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector. Currently, he holds the position of ICT and Radio Spectrum Management Coordinator at the General Directorate of Communications Policy and Regulation at the Ministry of Transport and Communications. In addition, he has experience in the private sector, having worked at Pluspetrol, Graña y Montero, and Media Networks Latin America.
Wilmer has held international leadership positions at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) of the Organization of American States (OAS) as Vice Chairman in several working groups. These groups were related to the development of telecommunications technologies and services, as well as the architecture and infrastructure for the metaverse.
As Executive Coordinator of the Smart Cities Specialized Committee at the Peruvian Association of Engineers – CD Lima), Wilmer leads the development of smart cities in the country.
He also has a broad academic background, with a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management of Telecommunications from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, a Master’s Degree in E-Business from the Universidad de San Martín de Porres, and a Cybersecurity Leadership program at Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy and the Public Governance and Innovation Program of the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú and the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF). In addition, he has completed several diploma courses in regulation and management of the radio spectrum, mobile communications systems, management and evaluation of telecommunications projects, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, big data & smart cities.
Graduated from the Faculty of Law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, master in Law and Public Policies from the Centro Universitário de Brasília and a master in Corporate Law from Fundación CIFF – Centro Internacional de Formación Financiera (Universidad de Alcalá/Spain). She has been a career employee at Anatel since 2007. Vice-coordinator of the Brazilian Communication Commission 4 – Telecommunications Development since 2012. At Anatel, she has been Consumer Request Handling Manager (2020-2022), Advisor in the Consumer Relations Superintendency (2017-2020), Coordinator and Deputy Manager in Institutional Interactions, Satisfaction, and Consumer Education Management (2017-2013). He also worked in the Planning Management of the Universalization Superintendency (2011-2013) and in the Grant Management of the Private Services Superintendency (2007-2011).
Lawyer with Master (1989) Degree in Administrative Law (1992).
Héctor Huici over the last 32 years has achieved a vast experience in regulation and ICT public policy both in the public and private sector.
He has served as former ICT Secretary of Argentina (2016-2019) and former Undersecretary of Connectivity and Communications (2024). During the times of the privatization of the telecommunications services in Argentina during the 90’s he was legal and regulatory manager of the regulatory agency.
He has also been independent consultant of the IDB, ITU and Access Partnership. He has also been partner in the law firms Bomchil, Pinedo, Huici & Asociados and Sanchez Elía, Pinedo & Huici.
He is teacher in both private and public universities in graduate and post graduate courses and author of more of 50 articles of his expertise (administrative law, public utilities, telecoms, energy) in local and foreign publications.
Electronics engineer with an MBA and project management specialization. He has more than 16 years of experience in telecommunications, has worked for the Superintendence of Telecommunications of Costa Rica, SUTEL, for more than 11 years. He serves as head of the spectrum, where he coordinated the design and implementation of the National Spectrum Management and Monitoring System, also he has been part of the commission for spectrum auction processes, as well as proposals for a spectrum assignment plan. He has participated as a delegate of Costa Rica in the World Radiocommunication Conferences and preparatory meetings of the PCC.II of Citel.
More information available shortly.
Regulators across Latin America are faced with the constant challenge of finding the best way to bring spectrum to market whilst designing fair and competitive award processes for both spectrum acquisitions and license renewals. Pricing is a particular challenge – if prices are set too high then it can have an impact on the level of investment and rollout speed of networks, or even deter bidders completely and mean that spectrum remains unsold. One example of an upcoming auction in which concerns have been raised of high spectrum fees potentially deterring operator interest is the ‘IFT-12’ Auction of 5G spectrum in Mexico. This case study session will hear from a number of the key players involved and discuss the specific circumstances and challenges that are faced in Mexico when it comes to ensuring a fair and clear pricing strategy, and the ways in which these can be overcome to ensure a successful conclusion of the auction.
Hector Lopez is an expert on market design, including auctions, procurement, and marketplaces. He has more than 10 years of experience in the strategy, design, implementation, regulation, pricing, and benchmarking of competitive processes. Dr. Lopez has led bidding strategy teams for companies participating in high-stake competitive processes and design and implementation teams for governments, regulators, and companies buying or selling high-value items.
Dr. Lopez has significant experience in the telecommunications sector in the Americas. He has worked on spectrum and infrastructure deployment (fiber and wireless) competitive processes in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Costa Rica, and other jurisdictions in the Americas.
In the US, Dr. Lopez provided strategy advice for a participant in the incentive auction. His client realized the highest return of all private equity participants. In Brazil, he advised an MNO on the worldwide 5G spectrum and obligations auction. His client acquired spectrum at half the price of his competitors and obtained fiber deployment obligations, accounting for half the cost of his competitors.
Dr. Lopez has experience with the most common auction formats, including combinatorial clock auctions (CCAs), simultaneous multiple-round auctions (SMRAs), clock auctions, and sealed-bid auctions. He provides on-site support and software tools using the latest research in game theory, optimization, simulations, econometrics, and experiments.
Dr. Lopez has authored numerous articles and white papers on market design, telecommunication policy, open access, drones, electric vehicles, network sharing, and spectrum policy. He has presented his research at academic and industry conferences. Dr. Lopez has taught undergraduate and Ph.D. courses in microeconomic theory.
Since October 2014, Alejandro Navarrete Torres has been the Head of the Radioelectric Spectrum Unit of the Federal Institute of Telecommunications, the regulatory body for telecommunications and broadcasting in Mexico. He is directing the planning, administration, and optimization of the radioelectric spectrum, including the bidding processes for it and the orbital resources associated with it. Before that, he served as Head of the Radio and Television Systems Unit of the same institute and also served as Deputy General Director of the Radio and Television Systems Unit in the former Federal Telecommunications Commission.
From 2004 to December 2012, he served as General Director of the Center for Research and Innovation in Telecommunications, A.C. (Cinit) of the National Chamber of the Cable Telecommunications Industry (Canitec), where he carried out strategic planning tasks in regulatory and technological matters associated with cable telecommunications networks.
Alejandro Navarrete was Coordinator of Advisors to the Undersecretary of Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT) and Director of Television in that same Secretariat of State. For more than thirty years, he has also been teaching at private universities in the country. He is the author and co-author of several textbooks in mathematics and technology and has served on academic, business, and regulatory advisory boards. He has participated as a speaker in different forums related to telecommunications and broadcasting in Mexico and abroad.
Alejandro Navarrete obtained a degree in electronics and communications engineering from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City in 1989 and a master of science degree with a specialty in communications and signal processing from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY, in the United States, in 1995.
Gabriel Székely is Managing Director of the National Telecommunications Association in Mexico (Anatel, A.C), representing the leading mobile telephone and Internet service providers, as well as all major manufacturers of telecom networks and cell phones. Dr Székely’s mandate includes developing the leadership and creativity to put together new initiatives, and to generate consensus amongst competitors in Mexico’s single institution where business executives seat and agree to pursue common goals in areas such as regulation and corporate responsibility.
Dr Szekely’s senior advisory roles have included consulting to Cisco Systems, Ericsson, the Government of Sweden and the World Bank at the time of the privatisation of Telmex and the rapid evolution of Mexico’s mobile industry. Dr Székely also advised both the Government and the business sector of California, Japan’s Sumitomo and Mitsubishi Trading Companies and the Government of Japan on the expected impacts of NAFTA.
Dr Szekely’s experience in public service in Mexico includes one year as advisor at the Office of the President, serving as Chief of Staff of the Secretary of Tourism (2003 to 2010), and Mexico’s Representative at the OECD Committee on Tourism in Paris.
Dr Szekely was Associate Director of the Research Center on US and Mexican economies at University of California, San Diego (1985-1993). He was Tenured Professor at El Colegio de Mexico for 14 years and has worked as Senior Fellow at the Overseas Development Council in the US capital, Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies in England, and at The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
Dr Székely earned a PhD at The George Washington University, and received his MA from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, SAIS, in Washington, DC.
Stefan Zehle is the MBA, Chairman, and CEO of Coleago Consulting. He has 28 years of experience in telecoms gained as a Director of a Mobile Operating company and as a specialist telecoms management consultant. He has worked in developed markets in Europe, Canada, the US and also in emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East. As the 2nd person on the ground, he played a pivotal role in launching Nedjma, the 3rd Algerian mobile operator. Stefan has worked on over 70 mobile licence bids and spectrum valuation projects. Co-author of the Economist’s Guide to Business Planning.
Hector Lopez is an expert on market design, including auctions, procurement, and marketplaces. He has more than 10 years of experience in the strategy, design, implementation, regulation, pricing, and benchmarking of competitive processes. Dr. Lopez has led bidding strategy teams for companies participating in high-stake competitive processes and design and implementation teams for governments, regulators, and companies buying or selling high-value items.
Dr. Lopez has significant experience in the telecommunications sector in the Americas. He has worked on spectrum and infrastructure deployment (fiber and wireless) competitive processes in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Costa Rica, and other jurisdictions in the Americas.
In the US, Dr. Lopez provided strategy advice for a participant in the incentive auction. His client realized the highest return of all private equity participants. In Brazil, he advised an MNO on the worldwide 5G spectrum and obligations auction. His client acquired spectrum at half the price of his competitors and obtained fiber deployment obligations, accounting for half the cost of his competitors.
Dr. Lopez has experience with the most common auction formats, including combinatorial clock auctions (CCAs), simultaneous multiple-round auctions (SMRAs), clock auctions, and sealed-bid auctions. He provides on-site support and software tools using the latest research in game theory, optimization, simulations, econometrics, and experiments.
Dr. Lopez has authored numerous articles and white papers on market design, telecommunication policy, open access, drones, electric vehicles, network sharing, and spectrum policy. He has presented his research at academic and industry conferences. Dr. Lopez has taught undergraduate and Ph.D. courses in microeconomic theory.
Since October 2014, Alejandro Navarrete Torres has been the Head of the Radioelectric Spectrum Unit of the Federal Institute of Telecommunications, the regulatory body for telecommunications and broadcasting in Mexico. He is directing the planning, administration, and optimization of the radioelectric spectrum, including the bidding processes for it and the orbital resources associated with it. Before that, he served as Head of the Radio and Television Systems Unit of the same institute and also served as Deputy General Director of the Radio and Television Systems Unit in the former Federal Telecommunications Commission.
From 2004 to December 2012, he served as General Director of the Center for Research and Innovation in Telecommunications, A.C. (Cinit) of the National Chamber of the Cable Telecommunications Industry (Canitec), where he carried out strategic planning tasks in regulatory and technological matters associated with cable telecommunications networks.
Alejandro Navarrete was Coordinator of Advisors to the Undersecretary of Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT) and Director of Television in that same Secretariat of State. For more than thirty years, he has also been teaching at private universities in the country. He is the author and co-author of several textbooks in mathematics and technology and has served on academic, business, and regulatory advisory boards. He has participated as a speaker in different forums related to telecommunications and broadcasting in Mexico and abroad.
Alejandro Navarrete obtained a degree in electronics and communications engineering from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City in 1989 and a master of science degree with a specialty in communications and signal processing from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY, in the United States, in 1995.
Gabriel Székely is Managing Director of the National Telecommunications Association in Mexico (Anatel, A.C), representing the leading mobile telephone and Internet service providers, as well as all major manufacturers of telecom networks and cell phones. Dr Székely’s mandate includes developing the leadership and creativity to put together new initiatives, and to generate consensus amongst competitors in Mexico’s single institution where business executives seat and agree to pursue common goals in areas such as regulation and corporate responsibility.
Dr Szekely’s senior advisory roles have included consulting to Cisco Systems, Ericsson, the Government of Sweden and the World Bank at the time of the privatisation of Telmex and the rapid evolution of Mexico’s mobile industry. Dr Székely also advised both the Government and the business sector of California, Japan’s Sumitomo and Mitsubishi Trading Companies and the Government of Japan on the expected impacts of NAFTA.
Dr Szekely’s experience in public service in Mexico includes one year as advisor at the Office of the President, serving as Chief of Staff of the Secretary of Tourism (2003 to 2010), and Mexico’s Representative at the OECD Committee on Tourism in Paris.
Dr Szekely was Associate Director of the Research Center on US and Mexican economies at University of California, San Diego (1985-1993). He was Tenured Professor at El Colegio de Mexico for 14 years and has worked as Senior Fellow at the Overseas Development Council in the US capital, Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies in England, and at The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
Dr Székely earned a PhD at The George Washington University, and received his MA from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, SAIS, in Washington, DC.
Stefan Zehle is the MBA, Chairman, and CEO of Coleago Consulting. He has 28 years of experience in telecoms gained as a Director of a Mobile Operating company and as a specialist telecoms management consultant. He has worked in developed markets in Europe, Canada, the US and also in emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East. As the 2nd person on the ground, he played a pivotal role in launching Nedjma, the 3rd Algerian mobile operator. Stefan has worked on over 70 mobile licence bids and spectrum valuation projects. Co-author of the Economist’s Guide to Business Planning.
Satellites have played a crucial role in providing connectivity, particularly in remote areas like Latin America with diverse geographical terrain and uneven telecommunications infrastructure. In recent years, Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) constellations have been transforming satellite communications, posing new opportunities, but also new challenges for policymakers and regulators at national, regional, and global levels. These challenges include ensuring environments free of harmful interference for network operations, adapting to emerging business models, and delivering more flexible spectrum licensing regimes designed for the fast-moving environment that we see today. Against this backdrop, this session will explore the existing licencing and spectrum allocation framework for satellites, and look at the extent to which changes are needed to keep up with the evolution of the sector that is being seen; to ensure the promotion of efficiency and innovation; and to foster access to connectivity for satellites of all kinds. It will assess the balance between spectrum access and scarcity, the efficacy of blanket and streamlined licensing, and the potential impact on vital sectors like disaster relief, healthcare, and education. Moreover, it will examine the role of international best practices in fostering a harmonized regulatory approach among Latin American regulators.
More information available shortly.
Rodrigo Gebrim is a Telecommunications Engineer with graduate degrees in Communications Networks, in Public Management and in Public Law. Working for the Government since 2013, he has worked at the Ministry of Communications, as Director of Innovation and Regulation of the Broadcasting Secretariat and at Anatel, where he was Chief of Staff of the Superintendence of Inspection, Chief of Staff of the Presidency, and, currently, Head of Spectrum, Orbit, and Broadcasting Division. Gebrim is also the current Deputy Coordinator of the Brazilian Communications Commission 2—Radiocommunications, and he was the head of the Brazilian technical delegation at the World Radiocommunications Conference 2023.
Shari Scott is Senior Director, Space Services and International at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. In her current role, she is responsible for all aspects of spectrum management related to satellite spectrum, including allocation and utilization policies, engineering, licensing, and coordination. She also leads Canada’s engagement at the International Telecommunications Union – Radiocommunication Sector and at CITEL PCC.II. The past 12 of her 30 years in the federal public service have been spent in the spectrum program at ISED. Prior to that she held progressively senior positions in technology-related policy and programs at the federal level. Shari holds a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Western University.
Ryan Johnson is the Senior Director for Global Government Affairs at the global satellite broadband firm Viasat. He is also the co-chair of the Americas Working Group in the Global Satellite Operators’ Association (GSOA). He holds a master’s degree in Internet governance from the University of Malta and a bachelor’s in political science from Indiana Wesleyan University. Prior to joining Viasat, he worked for over 10 years in the global technology policy space, with a focus on cybersecurity, development, and connecting the unconnected. His work has been published in academic journals, magazines, and UN publications.
Zach Blackburn is Lead for Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in the Americas at Amazon’s Project Kuiper. In this role, he leads regulatory and licensing matters in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean for Amazon’s initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit. Previously, he was a Public Policy Manager at Meta, working with governments around the world on connectivity policy issues, including for Meta’s messaging apps. Prior to the private sector, he served for nearly a decade in the U.S. Government, first at the U.S. Department of State and then at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, working on international tech policy issues. Zach holds a Master of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Foreign Affairs, both from the University of Virginia.
Amy Mehlman is the Vice President of Global Affairs and Stakeholder Relations at E-Space, where she leads partnership development, policy and all business and sales efforts with international and domestic governments, defense organizations, partners and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
She brings to E-Space a deep understanding of government and defense industry dynamics, satellite technology applications and the ability to navigate international regulations to ensure E-Space’s success on a worldwide scale. In addition to heading up the Company’s global defense business, her leadership extends to overseeing E-Space’s efforts to secure international market access and shape global policies focused on spectrum innovation and space sustainability. She recently spearheaded the Company’s latest delegation and activities at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23).
Amy joins E-Space with a robust background in government affairs. She served as the Vice President of U.S. Government Affairs and Policy at Viasat, where her responsibilities included overseeing domestic and international policy initiatives related to satellite licensing, space safety and spectrum equality. Prior to Viasat, Amy held the position of President at Mehlman Capitol Strategies, a successful boutique telecommunications public policy firm. Additionally, she contributed her expertise at the Washington, D.C. law firm Wiley, Rein & Fielding, where she played a key role in assisting leading wireless, satellite, telecom equipment and broadcast companies in shaping and implementing the provisions of the historic United States’ Telecommunications Act of 1996.
With the advent of next-generation technologies like Direct to Device (D2D), Hybrid Indoor Broadband Systems (HIBS), High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), and the looming transition to 6G standards, the role of regulation in spectrum management becomes increasingly crucial. More than focusing only on “direct to handset” connections; we are now in front of a “direct to device” communication which includes IoT services demanding robust regulatory frameworks to ensure efficient spectrum utilization, mitigate interference, and foster innovation. In this session, we will examine the different approaches that are being proposed to meet the connectivity requirements of D2D and other emerging new technologies. We will assess different connectivity models that are being put forward and look at the different bands that are being considered to deliver the required connectivity.
Agostinho Linhares, Executive Director of the Research Institute for Digital Economy (IPE Digital), brings over 20 years of telecom sector expertise. He holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering, with an MSc and PhD in Telecommunications. Currently completing an Executive MBA in Business Management, he also holds specialization courses in Telecom Regulation and Public Administration. He has held key positions at the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), such as Manager of Spectrum, Orbit, and Broadcasting, Acting Superintendent, and Advisor to the Board of Directors. In the Executive Branch, he provided valuable expertise as Advisor to the National Secretary of Telecommunications and as the General-Coordinator of Telecommunications Regulatory Monitoring. He also served as a member of the High Council of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) from 2022 to 2023. Currently, he holds the position of Vice-President of the Radio Regulation Board at the International Telecommunication Union. He has published nearly 40 scientific papers.
Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton has been a pioneer in the telecommunications field for over 30 years and is on a mission to improve coverage and connectivity for the digitally under-served citizens of Jamaica. From her current position as Managing Director at the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA), she maintains a birds-eye view of the country’s ever-expanding canopy of communication technology and spearheads initiatives that broaden and bolster digital accessibility where it matters most.
Her pursuits are grounded in the principles of education and the advancement of human knowledge and understanding. She holds a Doctorate in Education (Ed. D) in Instructional Technology & Distance Learning from Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler School of Education. Dr.Myers-Hamilton currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Task Force, an intergovernmental organization dedicated to supporting the development of the Caribbean information and communications technologies (ICT) sector. She is also Sub-Committee Chairwoman in the National Council on Education, the Director of the Jamaica Autism Support Association, and Trustee Chairperson of the e-Gov Jamaica Pension Fund.
Lizania Pérez is a Telecommunications Engineer, graduated from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Santiago de los Caballeros campus, Dominican Republic; she is also a Specialist in Management Information Systems, a degree obtained at the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo. She also completed a specialty in Economics and Regulation of Telecommunications at the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana in Puerto Rico. She has completed two Master’s degrees, the first in Telecommunications Management and Information Technologies at the Escuela de Organización Industrial in Madrid, Spain, and the second was a Master’s in Cybersecurity, completed at the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo. She held several positions at the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL), the regulatory body for said sector in the Dominican Republic, assuming roles as an IT professional, in the Information and Communication Technologies Directorate of said entity, she also held the position of Specialist Engineer in the Directorate of Telecommunications Regulation and Defense of Competition and finally assumed the position of Engineer of the Department of Cybersecurity, Electronic Commerce and Digital Signature. She has worked as Cybersecurity Coordinator in other entities in the private sector and currently holds the position of Executive Secretary in the Regional Technical Commission of Telecommunications, a specialized agency of the Central American Integration System (SICA).
Sergio Márquez is Director of Regulatory Affairs at EchoStar Corporation, where he plays a pivotal role in overseeing the implementation of advanced spectrum management and satellite coordination strategies for the company’s current services and near-term roadmaps. With a master’s degree in Regulation of Telecommunications from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Sergio is a seasoned expert in technical matters related to spectrum and radiocommunications.
Sergio’s experience includes managing and optimizing spectrum resources, ensuring compliance with international and domestic regulations, and mitigating interference issues. Before joining EchoStar, he held several key positions at the Federal Institute of Telecommunications in Mexico, where he was instrumental in spectrum management and monitoring.
Known for his remarkable problem-solving skills, Sergio adeptly navigates the complex landscape of spectrum regulation. He is a regular and active participant in international forums such as the International Telecommunication Union and the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission.
Luciana Camargos is the GSMA’s Head of Spectrum. She directs the GSMA’s range of advocacy issues on public policy relating to spectrum with national governments and multilateral organisations.
Luciana’s career began with Brazilian regulator Anatel, where she worked as part of the board advisory team. She joined the GSMA in 2012, where she has continued to be active in shaping the future of mobile services at international forums such as the ITU, CITEL, and other multilateral organisations.
She has chaired regulatory groups charged with developing communications regulation at the ITU and in regional organisations. She is an active supporter of the role of women in technology and is a former chair of the ITU’s Network of Women.
Luciana earned an MBA in telecommunications from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, and a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Brasilia.
Skylo Technologies, the pioneer in ‘direct-to-device’ Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) communications, has hired Mindel De La Torre as Head of Global Regulatory Affairs. Mindel’s deep industry knowledge includes experience as the Chief of the International Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Her expertise includes licensing, spectrum policy, and managing regulatory approvals in key markets worldwide. Mindel will help Skylo expand into new markets and will lead the company’s global regulatory strategy.
Cesar Gutierrez joined Huawei in November 2016 as head of Wireless Regulatory Policy for Africa and Middle East. He leads on key initiatives for Africa such as the identification of the 3300 – 3400 MHz band for mobile and the work in preparation of the WRC19. Previously, Cesar was a Senior Policy Advisor with the Ofcom in the UK where he was involved in several spectrum and consumer policy projects, notably the policy and the implementation of Ofcom’s TV white spaces programme. Before, Cesar was with the European Telecommunications Standards Institute where he was part of the leadership team of 3GPP Radio Access Network group. He had a key role in a number of high profile initiatives, such as the kick off of LTE specification in 3GPP. Cesar has a degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the Polytechnics University of Madrid, and a Master degree in Business Administration from the University of Oxford.
In Latin America and across the rest of the world, work has begun on exploring options for the key bands that will form the basis of the initial primary and pioneer spectrum for the rollout of 6G services. Latin American countries played a key role in identifying the bands that have been identified for potential IMT identification in region 2 ahead of WRC-27 (7125 – 8400 MHz and 14.8 – 15.35 GHz). These bands are predominantly used for fixed services in Latin America, meaning that whilst there are still challenges associated with freeing them up and making them available for 6G, these are potentially less than in other regions in which they are harmonized for NATO and military use. Against this backdrop, this session will focus on the early work in the region towards developing a spectrum roadmap for 6G and look at how the needs of 6G can be balanced both with those of incumbent users and with those of other evolving future connectivity technologies. Latin America has been prominent in decisions around the bands to be studied for 6G at WRC-27, and the session will discuss the best approach that can now be taken across the region to build on this and to ensure that the right decisions are taken on both bands and strategies for 6G launch to enable the benefits of this key technology to be felt as soon as possible.
As a professional with +12 years experience, Alexandra has a reputation for rigorous and innovative economic analysis, careful attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively as part of a wider team.
She is currently working as an independent consultant, with a special focus on the economics and regulation of the telecommunications and energy sectors.
Her previous role as a regulatory senior analyst at Cullen International, one of the most outstanding regulatory providers in the telecoms sector, allowed her to get expertise in the regulation of telecommunications, radio electric spectrum, media and digital economy fields.
For the last five years, she has also been working as a researcher and university professor. She is passionate about competition and regulatory policies of network markets (telecoms, energy and transport) which is correlated with her master’s degree in industrial economics.
She has got experience working in regulation and competition policy in Ecuador, Turkey and Spain in public and private institutions.
As a public servant, she also had the opportunity to work in the Ecuadorian Ministry of Industries as the Head of the Metallurgy Industry, where she proposed several policies to promote the development of the sector.
Tania VILLA works for the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT), the national regulator for telecommunications and broadcasting in Mexico, as Director General of Spectrum Planning.
At IFT, Tania is in charge of maintaining the National Table for Frequency Allocation, the identification of unlicensed spectrum, cross-border coordination for the use of the different frequency bands and optimizing and promoting the efficient use of the spectrum in Mexico. Tania also leads IFT’s work in preparation for the World Radiocommunications Conferences (WRC) and regional preparations for the Permanent Consultative Committee of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (PCC.II CITEL). Before joining the Spectrum Unit, Tania worked at the Regulatory Policy Unit of IFT, where she was in charge of defining the Quality of Service regulatory framework, assessing coverage obligations in spectrum auctions, and defining broadband parameters, among others.
Tania has been an active contributor to the ITU for the last 7 years and currently acts as the Chair of ITU-T Study Group 12, the lead Study Group for Quality of Service, Quality of Experience, and Performance.
Prior to her work at IFT, Tania studied and worked in Europe for seven years. She holds a PhD degree in electronics and communications from TELECOM PARISTECH, a master’s degree from the wireless system’s master program in KTH Stockholm, and a Bachelor’s degree in Telematics Engineering from ITAM Mexico. She worked on her master thesis at the Deutsche Telekom Research and Innovation Laboratories in Berlin. She was a research fellow at Humboldt University in Berlin to collaborate in research projects related to wireless communications, and she worked for four years as a researcher at the Communication System Department of INSTITUT EURECOM in Sophia Antipolis, France.
Dante Ibarra is responsible for leading the FCC’s activities and preparatory efforts for the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC). He leads a FCC team of technical and regulatory experts to develop international spectrum policies and strategies based on U.S. and FCC policies, coordinates with other federal government agencies including the Department of State, National Telecommunications and Information Administration to develop positions for negotiations at international conferences, leads U.S. delegations to international meetings on radio spectrum access and utilization and represents the U.S./CITEL at other WRC regional group preparatory meetings.
Graduated from the Faculty of Law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, master in Law and Public Policies from the Centro Universitário de Brasília and a master in Corporate Law from Fundación CIFF – Centro Internacional de Formación Financiera (Universidad de Alcalá/Spain). She has been a career employee at Anatel since 2007. Vice-coordinator of the Brazilian Communication Commission 4 – Telecommunications Development since 2012. At Anatel, she has been Consumer Request Handling Manager (2020-2022), Advisor in the Consumer Relations Superintendency (2017-2020), Coordinator and Deputy Manager in Institutional Interactions, Satisfaction, and Consumer Education Management (2017-2013). He also worked in the Planning Management of the Universalization Superintendency (2011-2013) and in the Grant Management of the Private Services Superintendency (2007-2011).
More information available shortly.
Hector Marin is Senior Director, Government Affairs for Latin America. In this position, his main goal is to manage the regulatory policy and strategic initiatives for the deployment and advancement of Qualcomm’s technologies and services. He participates in the activities of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and other international forums.
He joined Qualcomm in August 2001 as Director of Business Development for Mexico and Central America. He has more than 35 years of experience in wireless systems and has written several articles for specialized telecom magazines.
He began his professional career in October 1989 as a Cell Planning Engineer at Ericsson. In January 1992 he started working for Lucent Technologies as a Wireless Systems Sales Subdirector and in September 1997 he was transferred to the Bell Labs in New Jersey. Two years later he rejoined Lucent Technologies in Mexico City as the Sales Technical Support Director. Hector is Communications and Electronics Engineer graduated from the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN).
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is a world leader in 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless technologies. Qualcomm Incorporated includes Qualcomm’s licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of its patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of Qualcomm’s engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of its products and services businesses, including its semiconductor business, QCT. For more than 35 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment, and each other.
Hazem Moakkit is a veteran of the satellite industry where he has worked for over 22 years in various capacities. He currently serves as the Vice President for Spectrum Development at O3b Networks where he leads the creation and implementation of
O3b’s global spectrum strategy.
Prior to O3b, Hazem spent 5 years at Yahsat in the United Arab Emirates as the Director or Regulatory & Spectrum Affairs where he successfully created and managed the Spectrum Strategy and led the acquisition of licenses and key orbital assets for the startup operator. He was also instrumental in devising the business strategy for Yahsat.
Early on in his career, Hazem held various engineering and spectrum positions at Intelsat, PanAmSat, and ATCI. Hazem holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University, an MBA degree from Georgetown University.
Prakash Moorut is responsible for leading Shure’s efforts to advocate for audio professionals as it pertains to industry regulations. He leads Shure’s Spectrum & Regulatory Affairs team which serves as the point of contact with regulators, lawmakers, and industry associations, as well as partners with Shure’s engineering and product management to create a regulatory roadmap that adheres to current and future policies.
Before coming to Shure in 2021, Moorut spent more than 10 years with Nokia, most recently serving as Head of Spectrum Standardization, where he led the company’s efforts on global spectrum standardization and policy. He brings additional global regulatory experience from his previous role at Motorola for 14 years.
Moorut received his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Ecole Superieure D’Electricite (SUPELEC), one of France’s leading engineering schools.
As the demand for localized private networks continues to grow around the globe, the allocation of spectrum for vertical industries becomes increasingly crucial. This session will look at the work in this area that is taking place, and the different approaches, models and spectrum bands that are emerging across the region.
Electronics Engineer, MBA and Telecommunications Specialist with more than 15 years of experience in bridging the digital divide in LATAM. She is convinced that ICT diffusion, understood as a means and not an end, is necessary to improve people’s lives, understand their needs and find solutions through technology.
Paola has worked with the National Spectrum Agency of Colombia, where she was Deputy Director of Spectrum Management and Technical Planning. She has been a Senior Consultant to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is now Senior Analyst Americas at Cullen.
She is a recognised project facilitator who has advised government agencies in Latin America and the Caribbean on ICT. The projects developed at national and international level have focused on policy and strategic planning, management and optimisation of spectrum use, connectivity, regulatory analysis of the ICT sector, services and satellite networks and broadcasting, including television, 4IR, technological governance and smart cities and territories, among others.
Hector Bude De Leon studied Electronics at Domingo Savio, a Salesian Institute in Montevideo and Engineering at the University of the Republic (UDELAR).
He has developed his work in the field of administration and management of the radio spectrum since 1991, when he joined the National Communications Authority (DNC), which in 2001 became the actual Communications Regulatory Agency (URSEC) of Uruguay.
For nearly three decades, he was the Head of Radio Frequencies, and today he is the Head of Frequency Management Department and also the General Advisor for URSEC Board.
Within the PCC.II of CITEL (Inter American Telecommunication Commission) he has held several positions, including Vice Chairman for the periods 2010–2021, Vice Chairman of the Working Group for the Preparation of the Regional and World Radiocommunication Conference for the period 2008–2011, and Chairman for the period 2012–2015.
Today, he is Vice Chairman of PCC II for the period 2022–2025.
As Spectrum Policy Director, Carol works with GSMA programmes, members, and internal groups to develop global industry positions on spectrum policy, allocation, licensing, and on the impact of emerging technologies.
Prior to joining the GSMA, Carol served as Technical Advisor for International Affairs at the National Spectrum Agency of Colombia (ANE) and held the vice-chair of the Preparatory Working Group for the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC) and chair of the Spectrum Management group at CITEL. Also, she worked with the mobile industry as Wireless Product Manager and was a university lecturer.
Carol is specialized in Negotiation from Universidad de los Andes in Colombia, holds a Master in Navigation and Related Applications from the Politecnico di Torino in Italy. She has a Bachelor of Engineering in Telecommunications from the Universidad Santo Tomás of Bogotá with an exchange program at the Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain, as well.
Sóstenes Diaz González was ratified as a Commissioner of the IFT for a period of 9 years by a qualified majority in the Senate on 25 April 2018..
He has more than 16 years’ experience in telecommunications regulation.
Commissioner Diaz has been responsible for several regulatory projects at the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT), such as the design and implementation of the current cost models for interconnection services; the current cost methodology of interconnection; as well as the definition of interconnection points of the Preponderant Economic Agent (PEA) in the telecommunications sector in Mexico; the revision of the Framework Agreements of Interconnection and of the Reference Offers of the Wholesale Services of Dedicated Links; of Mobile Virtual Operators; and of the wholesale service of the Visitor User; as well as the determination of asymmetric interconnection rates for the services provided by the Preponderant Economic Agent.
In addition, Commissioner Diaz has worked within the Academy having been the subject of the subjects of “Microeconomics I” and “Microeconomics II” in the Unique Program of Specialisations of the Postgraduate of the Faculty of Economics in the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
Commissioner Diaz graduated as an Economist from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and has a Masters in the same area by Colegio de México.
Electronics Engineer, MBA and Telecommunications Specialist with more than 15 years of experience in bridging the digital divide in LATAM. She is convinced that ICT diffusion, understood as a means and not an end, is necessary to improve people’s lives, understand their needs and find solutions through technology.
Paola has worked with the National Spectrum Agency of Colombia, where she was Deputy Director of Spectrum Management and Technical Planning. She has been a Senior Consultant to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is now Senior Analyst Americas at Cullen.
She is a recognised project facilitator who has advised government agencies in Latin America and the Caribbean on ICT. The projects developed at national and international level have focused on policy and strategic planning, management and optimisation of spectrum use, connectivity, regulatory analysis of the ICT sector, services and satellite networks and broadcasting, including television, 4IR, technological governance and smart cities and territories, among others.
Arturo Robles Rovalo is a Commissioner at the Federal Institute of Telecommunications in Mexico.
Dr Robles previously worked for European telecommunications operators – such as Airtel-Vodafone in Spain – in areas related to strategic development and technological evolution, and for global consultancy firms specialized in technological, economic and political-regulatory analysis of multinational projects in telecommunications and information technologies. In addition, he was Senior Consultant at Détente Group for the deployment, evaluation, policymaking and international coordination of satellite systems for national security. In 2015, he started working at the Federal Telecommunications Institute as Deputy General Director for Prospective.
Dr Robles holds a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). He completed the Joint Doctorate in Telecommunications from Polytechnic University of Madrid and also earned a Masters degree in Signal Theory and Communications from the same University. In addition, he has taken postgraduate courses in Management of Telecommunications (Spain) and Regulation in Digital Markets (Belgium).
Oscar León has more than 18 years of experience in the ICT sector and extensive experience in project management, the implementation of new business, and the appropriation of new technologies. He is an Electronics Engineer with a postgraduate degree in Telecommunications Project Management and a master’s degree in Business Administration.
He was Director of Projects at Solutions Providers of Microsoft, he worked for the Colombian telecommunications regulator, was the Regulation Manager for Claro (América Móvil Colombia) and he has been Advisor to three Ministers of Communications. He was Director-General of the National Agency of Spectrum of Colombia for almost 5 years and was elected Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission, CITEL, since September 2015. Oscar León has served as international speaker for the development of wireless broadband services,electromagnetic fields and their relationship with human health, and the auction spectrum as a strategic element for the development of countries. He has been awarded with:
1. Medal for Merit in Communications, first class in gold, for his contribution to the development of ICTs in Colombia.
2. The Medal for Merit in Communications, third class in bronze, for the excellent results obtained during the auction sales of spectrum for the 4-G mobile generation.
3. The Military Medal of San Gabriel for the Military Communications Support Service. He was appointed by the International Telecommunication Union for the Americas Region as Vice President of the Group 5 – environment and climate change which studies the relationship between radio fields and health.
Mr. Philippe Aubineau is Counsellor at the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). He is responsible since June 2006 for ITU-R Study Group 1 on Spectrum Management and the Conference Preparatory Meeting for the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC). Previous to taking up his current duties, he worked as radiocommunication engineer at the France Telecom research centre where he was in charge of international frequency planning, coordination and registration for satellite networks. He then joined the Space Services Department of the BR. Since 1995, he participated with increasing level of responsibility in all the WRCs which review and revise the Radio Regulations – the international treaty governing the use of the radio frequency spectrum and the satellite orbit. Philippe Aubineau graduated from the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis.
Nine months on from WRC-23, work has begun in earnest in analysing the outcomes and the impact of the decisions that were taken; and on identifying and implementing the next steps for the region as the next cycle and the journey towards WRC-27 already begins. With the first post-WRC PCC.II meeting being held in Montevideo in April this year and a second meeting set to take place immediately following the conclusion of this conference, this session will provide an opportunity to look at the positions that are emerging and the significant topics that will likely dominate discussions over the next 4 years. Additionally, the session will explore the different priorities of industry players as we move towards WRC-27, and more broadly on the best way forward to ensure the continued drive in the region towards a regulatory framework to enable the value of spectrum to be realized.
Ramiro Camacho Castillo was appointed Commissioner of the Federal Telecommunications Institute of Mexico (IFT) in March of 2019 for a period of nine years.
Commissioner Camacho has worked as an economist at the competition and telecommunications authorities of Mexico for the past twelve years. He was General Director of Economic Consulting at IFT and Deputy General Director of Economic Studies at the Competition Commission (COFECE). Previously, he was an Associated Professor at the University of Guadalajara for eleven years.
Commissioner Camacho holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from the University of Guadalajara, and three master’s degrees: In Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; in Operations Research from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM); and in Energy Economics from Scuola Superiore Enrico Mattei in Italy.
More information available shortly.
Mr. Ayala is Director of Policy Advocacy for Latin America since 2010, where he promotes favorable spectrum policies that enable investments and mass adoption of mobile broadband services in the region.
In addition, Mr. Ayala chairs the GSA spectrum team for the CITEL Region since 2020, where he coordinates initiatives aiming to release new spectrum for next generation cellular technologies with leading industry stakeholders.
He joined Ericsson in the year 2000, and has worked in the areas of Sales Support, Engineering and Business Development, in Latin America and the USA.
Prior to joining Ericsson, Mr. Ayala held executive positions at leading telecom Operators in Central America, United States, and Spain, where he built a solid experience in areas of sales, operations, and engineering involving mobile, satellite, fixed, IP, and transport technologies.
He holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology University under a Fulbright Scholarship and is a former fellow from Hispano-American Telecom Association ASIET.
Natalia Vicente is the VP of Public Affairs at GSOA where she works closely with the Secretary General and the CEOs of ESOA Member companies to drive forward high-level advocacy for the satellite communications sector. Specifically, Natalia focuses on the Development Agenda working with international organisations to ensure nation states understand the value of leveraging available satellite communications services to bridge digital, education and health divides in their countries.
Natalia is also a Board Member of the European Internet Forum where she represents ESOA in front of Members of the European Parliament. Natalia has over a decade of experience in the digital sector, focusing on public policy, government relations and building international partnerships.
Before joining ESOA, Natalia worked for the European Telecommunications Network Operator’s (ETNO) working on public and regulatory affairs. Prior to that, she worked for Telefonica, Telecom Italia and TagTagCity, where she was one of the first employees involved in establishing a start-up venture providing mobile solutions to municipalities and local businesses in Belgium.
Natalia is a qualified lawyer with an LLM from the University Autonoma of Madrid and holds a Master of Business Administration specialised in Marketing. She is a Spanish national, lives in Brussels and speaks 4 languages.
Adriana Servín Villada has accumulated 25 years of experience in corporate law and information technology in the main technology companies that operate in Mexico such as Oracle and Microsoft as a lawyer in which she provided advice on Agreements in different lines of business, both in private and government sector, responsible for supporting anti-piracy matters and operations, as well as the relationship with different levels of Government authorities in matters of information technology and matters related to communications. Servín Villada experienced a growing range of responsibilities by continuing to gain experience in companies in the technology sector such as Ingram Micro as Legal Director in the world’s leading company in Technology Distribution and the financial sector. As well as a Director of Legal and Government Affairs of Lexmark International de México, the Mexican subsidiary, world leader in printing technology and business services. She has been recognized for her knowledge of information technology law, social responsibility, creation of zero-impact environmental policies, sustainability, mentoring and coaching for women, inclusion and diversity policies, teleworking, the National Digital Agenda, the importance of information technologies for Mexico, among others.
WRC-23 highlighted the very different opinions that remain across the Americas region when it comes to the best solution for the long-term future of the 6GHz band. The US and Canada have taken a path towards an unlicensed allocation across the entire band, contrasting with many countries across Latin America who are leaving options open to possibly explore a licensed regime in the upper part of the band (a footnote was signed up to by Brazil and Mexico which identified the band for IMT, whilst also recognizing the use of the band by WAS/RLANs). Against this backdrop, this session will analyze the current landscape in the allocation of the 6GHz band, especially for the upper part of the band and explore emerging positions across countries regarding its use. It will also look at the technical and regulatory factors that could play a part in the decision-making process for countries as they look to decide the best way forward for the future use of the band and discuss whether a ‘win-win’ approach that meets the connectivity needs of all different stakeholders can still be a possibility.
