Riyadh hosts global talks on satellite connectivity and space sustainability

Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission and the International Telecommunication Union are bringing regulators, companies, investors and researchers to Riyadh from Oct. 12-14 to debate how to expand satellite services without worsening orbital congestion, interference and space debris. The event also spotlights new research, technical trials and investment opportunities tied to Direct-to-Device links, 6G and future spectrum rules.

Why it matters: - Satellite connectivity is becoming more central to mobile coverage, 6G and communications on the move across air, sea and land. - Expanding those services depends on spectrum and orbital resources that must be managed internationally to avoid interference, congestion and debris. - The event brings together the people who shape those rules, fund those systems and build the technology.

What happened: - Riyadh hosted The Global Space Connectivity & Sustainability Events 2026 from Oct. 12-14 at the headquarters of the Communications, Space & Technology Commission. - CST organized the event with the International Telecommunication Union under the theme "Connected Earth, Sustainable Space." - The program combined Connecting the World from the Skies (NTN) and the Space Sustainability Forum. - Participants included regulators, companies, investors, researchers, device manufacturers and space service providers.

The details: - The agenda covered Direct-to-Device satellite connectivity for mobile devices. - Sessions examined the integration of space systems with future 6G networks. - The event also looked at connectivity on the move across air, sea and land. - Discussions focused on business models, licensing requirements and partnerships between telecom operators and space service providers. - The program addressed preparations for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027, including spectrum needs for future communication services. - Sustainability sessions covered orbital congestion, interference, space debris, international governance and the responsible use of space resources. - The event also highlighted satellites' role in Earth observation, climate science and disaster response. - The event announced the winners of the International Non-Terrestrial Networks Research Competition 2026. - An exhibition displayed the top ten research papers from that competition, solutions from the global SpaceUp competition and technical trials for new applications. - More information was available through the event website.

Between the lines: - CST's partnership with the ITU extends a cooperation track that began with the 2024 Connecting the World from the Skies Forum, which led to an agreement for global non-terrestrial network events, technical trials and research participation. - Saudi Arabia is using the event to reinforce its role in international space-policy discussions and to connect technical research with commercial deployment. - The focus on sustainability signals that growth in satellite services is now tied to tighter oversight of the orbital environment, not just technical innovation.

What's next: - Participants are expected to continue work on regulatory frameworks, technical solutions and investment pathways for satellite and non-terrestrial networks. - The event's discussions will feed into broader preparations for WRC-27 and future spectrum decisions. - Research winners, exhibition projects and technical trials may help shape follow-on partnerships and pilot deployments. - The Kingdom is likely to keep using global forums to support cooperation in space communications and sustainability.

The bottom line: - Riyadh is positioning itself as a hub where satellite growth and space sustainability are treated as one policy and market challenge, not two separate ones.