IGF 2026 WS #360 Do look up! LEO Satellites and the Internet Future

Description

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations are rapidly becoming a new layer of global Internet infrastructure as the Open Knowledge Foundation has shown through its SkyCommons Observatory. As these networks expand, they will shape not only how people connect to the Internet but also where artificial intelligence services are deployed, how digital resilience is achieved during crises, and how digital sovereignty is exercised. Ahead of WRC27 and other relevant governance discussions, public interest stakeholders remain fragmented across telecommunications, space policy and Internet governance. Questions about interoperability, accountability, transparency and public-interest oversight have not kept pace with the rapid deployment of commercial constellations. This discussion will examine whether LEO connectivity should be understood as critical Internet infrastructure and what strategies can we craft for the upcoming processes to preserve openness, resilience, interoperability and equitable access while supporting innovation.

Policy Question(s)

If LEO constellations become a foundational layer of the Internet and AI ecosystem, what governance principles should shape them before market structures and technical architectures become irreversible? What technical, policy and governance mechanisms can promote interoperability, transparency and accountability in orbital connectivity? How can governments, the technical community and civil society ensure that expanding LEO connectivity strengthens digital inclusion and resilience without increasing concentration and dependency?

Expected Outcomes

The workshop will strengthen dialogue between Internet governance and space governance communities around a rapidly emerging infrastructure challenge. Participants will contribute to a draft blueprint for a positive agenda for LEO satellites and also a playing field map for the relevant processes in the next 18 months. The session will also help establish a cross-sector network interested in continuing work on orbital connectivity within future Internet governance discussions via the SkyCommons initiative.

Reference Document

Format

Roundtable Duration (minutes): 60 Format description: It is the best format to hear all voices. We want to have a collaborative yet deep conversation around the topic and co create as we speak.

Hybrid Format

Hybrid Format: The session will begin with a short presentation introducing key findings from the SkyCommons Observatory, followed by moderated interventions from each stakeholder group. Audience participation will be prioritised through alternating questions from onsite and online participants. The online moderator will monitor the virtual queue to ensure equal participation. We will use live polling and leverage our asynchronous discuss.okfn.org for this purpose.

Organizers

Organizer 1: Renata Avila, 🔒Open Knowledge Foundation Organizer 2: Burcu Kilic, Center for International Governance Innovation

Speakers

Speaker 1: Coyle Nathan, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG) Speaker 2: Burcu Kilic, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG) Speaker 3: Marilia Maciel, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) Speaker 4: Renata Avila, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Moderator

Burcu Kilic, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Online Moderator

Lucas Pretti, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Rapporteur