GLOBAL GOVERNANCE OF LOW EARTH ORBIT SATELITE BROADBAND

This is the homepage for an Internet Society Foundation research project

• Global Governance of Low Earth Orbit Satelite Broadband

as part of its Decolonizing the Internet program.

Since 2023 the project is in its second phase with a focus on "Trust and Data Governance".

This project provides a thorough, concise, research-based narrative on the need to ensure sustainable international policy for Low Earth Orbit satellites and internet access. This has been done through the identification of pending international law issues arising from the rapid development of SpaceX, OneWeb, Project Kuiper or GW, and, most recently, the EU IRIS2 project. Their summay was presented in a comprehensive report, accompanied by policy papers dedicated to civil society and government actors as well as a series of peer-reviewed and general interest publications combined with a versatile outreach activity. It also included setting up a regularly updated international law LEOs database.

The final project report, concluding its first phase, offered aswers to following key research questions:

• What are the potential ‘data/digital sovereignty’ and jurisdictional challenges to the integration of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations onto the (5G) telecommunications network?
• How will the current geopolitical and economic hegemony of developed states in standard-setting for LEO broadband impact developing countries?
• What are the critical policy issues to be urgently considered by governmental and civil society actors when addressing the rapid development of LEO satelites based internet access?

You can find the full report here. In its current phase we look into data governance and its implications for building a trustworthy and resilient network. We focus on how can international and multistakeholder forums effectively address transnational data governance concerns, promote open and trustworthy Internet policy objectives, and bridge the capacity divide between the Global North and the Global South in the context of newly enhanced satellite Internet capabilities. 

The global internet infrastructure is rapidly evolving, with the proliferation of satellite constellations, especially in low Earth orbit (LEO), enhancing connectivity worldwide. These multi-orbital solutions are vital for expanding broadband access, particularly in underserved regions, offering hope for universal connectivity. However, mere availability isn't sufficient; meaningful connectivity must also be accessible, relevant, affordable, safe, trusted, user-empowering, and impactful. Trust, endorsed by organizations like the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and UNESCO, emerges as a central goal in data governance and cybersecurity.

In the cybersecurity and trust-related debates, governance encompasses diverse arrangements affecting data across borders. Trustworthiness and data governance intersect across all layers of the internet, from services to infrastructure. Despite efforts, cybersecurity remains a geopolitical concern, emphasizing the need for effective governance measures.

To ensure the success of satellite broadband, a multistakeholder approach is essential. Stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, service providers, and civil society, must collaborate transparently to address technical, business, and regulatory challenges. This collaboration involves analyzing data flow control, ensuring transparency in decision-making, and building user trust.

As results of its first phase this project offered a comprehensive analysis of these issues on developing country interests in the context of international law and reveal the shortcomings of the international law instruments in addressing the potential tension points. In its current, second phase, focused on data, we address a more targetted research question.

This phase of the LEOs research project aims to analyze why satellite broadband may fall short of user expectations, considering regulatory fragmentation and geopolitical tensions. By aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), and SDG 17 (Partnerships to achieve the goal), the project seeks to enhance internet access, education, and economic growth.

The main research question is how international and multistakeholder forums can effectively address transnational data governance concerns and bridge the capacity gap between the Global North and South in the context of enhanced satellite internet capabilities. The project aims to explore international norms, the role of forums in fostering trust, and approaches for capacity building in developing countries. Through this, it seeks to contribute to a more open, trustworthy internet aligned with policy objectives and inclusive global development.

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