Mapping the Regulatory Landscape for NGSO Satellite Constellations
The rapid growth of Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit, or NGSO, constellations is transforming global connectivity. It is also creating new regulatory, technical and sustainability challenges for governments and international institutions.
As part of its long-term collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union, Strascend was entrusted with preparing a comprehensive report on the regulatory landscape surrounding NGSO satellite constellations.
The challenge
NGSO systems are expanding access to broadband connectivity, supporting emergency communications and improving the resilience of global telecommunications infrastructure. Their deployment, however, raises complex questions around spectrum allocation, orbital resources, space traffic management, interference, debris mitigation and long-term space sustainability.
Regulators must address these issues at national, regional and international levels while keeping pace with rapidly evolving technologies and business models.
The mission
Strascend conducted an in-depth study of the NGSO ecosystem, covering existing and planned satellite constellations, enabling technologies, market developments and emerging regulatory challenges. The assignment included:
- analysing the main NGSO constellations and their technical architectures
- assessing trends in satellite telecommunications and connectivity
- reviewing spectrum and orbital resource management
- examining interference and coordination challenges
- evaluating space sustainability, debris and traffic-management concerns
- identifying gaps in existing regulatory frameworks
- translating complex technical developments into practical insights for regulators and policymakers
The report also explored how regulatory approaches may need to evolve as NGSO systems become larger, more interconnected and increasingly important to global communications.
Our expertise
This project demonstrates Strascend's ability to combine technical analysis, market intelligence and regulatory expertise in a fast-moving and highly complex sector. Our work brought together satellite telecommunications expertise, regulatory and policy analysis, market and technology research, spectrum and orbital resource assessment, stakeholder-oriented report preparation, and the translation of technical issues into actionable recommendations.
The objective was not simply to describe the market, but to help decision-makers understand how emerging technologies could affect existing rules and future regulatory priorities.
Supporting informed policy decisions
The report was published in October 2023, ahead of the World Radiocommunication Conference in Dubai. It is accessible here. It provided policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders with a structured overview of the opportunities and risks associated with NGSO constellations.
Through this assignment, Strascend reinforced its expertise in strategic market studies, telecommunications regulation and space policy, helping organisations navigate technological change and make informed decisions in complex regulatory environments.