• This post was co-authored by ProfEugenia Georgiades The world is entering a new era of connectivity. • Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations have become central to how economies think about Internet access, national security, and competition. • With thousands of satellites now orbiting just a few hundred kilometres above us, the LEO market is growing far faster than the laws and institutions designed to govern it. • This mismatch is significant because poorly designed regulatory frameworks can either stifle innovation or expose economies to unacceptable security risks. • This post explores how different economies approach LEO satellite regulation, why these choices matter, and what a balanced, future-proof framework should look like. • The topic is further explored in our paper, ‘The Role of Regulatory Frameworks in Balancing Between National Security and Competition in LEO Satellite Market’.
Article Summaries:
- Thousands of low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellites are rapidly expanding global connectivity, yet regulatory frameworks lag behind the market’s growth. Co‑authored by Prof. Eugenia Georgiades, the post argues that poorly designed rules can stifle innovation or expose national security risks. It examines how different economies-Australia, Japan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam-approach LEO licensing, highlighting a “national security test” model that requires foreign investors to prove they will not compromise sovereignty or critical infrastructure. The authors call for balanced, future‑proof regulations that protect security, encourage competition, and avoid undue consumer harm.
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