speakers
Event Speakers
Meet our speakers
DAY 3 | THURSDAY, 6 August 2026
SESSION 10 |
09.00 -10:15
Pacific Islands Requirements & Overview of Emerging Satcom Technologies/Applications
Leonard Obonya
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, UK
Leonard Obonyo is the Head of Digital Development at the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), where he leads the design and delivery of digital transformation programmes across member countries. Since joining the organisation in 2019, he has been responsible for shaping ICT strategies that support the transition to effective, inclusive 21st-century governments. His work focuses on expanding affordable broadband access, advancing e-government, and strengthening digital ecosystems. He also coordinates the Commonwealth’s global digital policy agenda and oversees research and implementation efforts related to emerging technologies. With over a decade of experience, Leonard has worked across national, regional, and international initiatives spanning satellite connectivity, cyber resilience, data governance, and digital inclusion. He has contributed to projects supported by organisations such as the FCDO, ITU, World Bank, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, and has been involved in developing guidance on national cybersecurity strategies. His work sits at the intersection of policy, regulation, and implementation, with a strong emphasis on practical outcomes that close the digital divide and enable sustainable digital growth.
Brian Winji
Consultant
Brian Winji
Consultant
Brian is the former Telecommunications and Broadcasting Regulator of Vanuatu and Former Vice Chair of APT PRF, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise in Telecommunications, ICT, and Broadcasting. With over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry and more than 6 years in regulatory leadership, he has played a pivotal role in shaping and implementing policies, governance, and industry standards in Vanuatu.
Brian holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Liverpool, a Master of Engineering Science in Telecommunications and Networking from Curtin University of Technology, and a Bachelor of Electrical and Communication Engineering from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology.
Donna Bethea Murphy
Viasat
Donna Bethea Murphy
Viasat
Senior Vice President of Global Regulatory Policy for Viasat. In this capacity, she leads the company’s domestic and international regulatory policy activities.
Ms. Bethea-Murphy previously worked at the Federal Communications Commission and was responsible for international spectrum coordination and ITU work as well as domestic spectrum band plans and licensing policy.
Currently, she chairs the ITU-R group WP 4B in charge of the 5 G and 6G radio interface for satellites, as well as serving on several ITU advisory groups. Ms. Bethea-Murphy has also been appointed to numerous US government and industry advisory positions, including matters related to spectrum, satellite cybersecurity, and telecommunications safety practices.
Prior to Viasat, she was Vice President of Regulatory at Iridium, where she led the company's global regulatory activities, including policy, standards, licensing, ITU, and spectrum.
She was previously Senior Director of Spectrum Policy at PanAmSat Corporation. Prior to joining PanAmSat, she was Director of Technology and Regulatory Affairs for AirTouch Communications, the world’s largest terrestrial company, where she developed and implemented technical regulatory policy for wireless services.
- Phone:+1 (859) 254-6589
- Email:[email protected]
Joe Guan
Viasat
Joe Guan
Viasat
Leads Government and Regulatory Affairs for Viasat across East Asia, shaping regulatory and policy environments to enable strategic growth and long-term leadership. He supports the expansion of Viasat’s advanced satellite and next-generation connectivity portfolio across spectrum, telecommunications, and space policy landscapes throughout the region. Prior to joining Viasat, Joe served as Head of Policy for Greater China at the GSMA and as Head of its Spectrum Policy Program for Asia Pacific. Earlier in his career, Joe worked at New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on spectrum management.
SESSION 11 |
10.45 -11:30
The critical use and future development of Mobile Satellite Services and Multi-Orbit networks in the New Space Age
Leonard Obonya
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, UK
Leonard Obonyo is the Head of Digital Development at the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), where he leads the design and delivery of digital transformation programmes across member countries. Since joining the organisation in 2019, he has been responsible for shaping ICT strategies that support the transition to effective, inclusive 21st-century governments. His work focuses on expanding affordable broadband access, advancing e-government, and strengthening digital ecosystems. He also coordinates the Commonwealth’s global digital policy agenda and oversees research and implementation efforts related to emerging technologies. With over a decade of experience, Leonard has worked across national, regional, and international initiatives spanning satellite connectivity, cyber resilience, data governance, and digital inclusion. He has contributed to projects supported by organisations such as the FCDO, ITU, World Bank, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, and has been involved in developing guidance on national cybersecurity strategies. His work sits at the intersection of policy, regulation, and implementation, with a strong emphasis on practical outcomes that close the digital divide and enable sustainable digital growth.
Brian Winji
Consultant
Brian Winji
Consultant
Brian is the former Telecommunications and Broadcasting Regulator of Vanuatu and Former Vice Chair of APT PRF, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise in Telecommunications, ICT, and Broadcasting. With over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry and more than 6 years in regulatory leadership, he has played a pivotal role in shaping and implementing policies, governance, and industry standards in Vanuatu.
Brian holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Liverpool, a Master of Engineering Science in Telecommunications and Networking from Curtin University of Technology, and a Bachelor of Electrical and Communication Engineering from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology.
Donna Bethea Murphy
Viasat
Donna Bethea Murphy
Viasat
Senior Vice President of Global Regulatory Policy for Viasat. In this capacity, she leads the company’s domestic and international regulatory policy activities.
Ms. Bethea-Murphy previously worked at the Federal Communications Commission and was responsible for international spectrum coordination and ITU work as well as domestic spectrum band plans and licensing policy.
Currently, she chairs the ITU-R group WP 4B in charge of the 5 G and 6G radio interface for satellites, as well as serving on several ITU advisory groups. Ms. Bethea-Murphy has also been appointed to numerous US government and industry advisory positions, including matters related to spectrum, satellite cybersecurity, and telecommunications safety practices.
Prior to Viasat, she was Vice President of Regulatory at Iridium, where she led the company's global regulatory activities, including policy, standards, licensing, ITU, and spectrum.
She was previously Senior Director of Spectrum Policy at PanAmSat Corporation. Prior to joining PanAmSat, she was Director of Technology and Regulatory Affairs for AirTouch Communications, the world’s largest terrestrial company, where she developed and implemented technical regulatory policy for wireless services.
Joe Guan
Viasat
Joe Guan
Viasat
Leads Government and Regulatory Affairs for Viasat across East Asia, shaping regulatory and policy environments to enable strategic growth and long-term leadership. He supports the expansion of Viasat’s advanced satellite and next-generation connectivity portfolio across spectrum, telecommunications, and space policy landscapes throughout the region. Prior to joining Viasat, Joe served as Head of Policy for Greater China at the GSMA and as Head of its Spectrum Policy Program for Asia Pacific. Earlier in his career, Joe worked at New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on spectrum management.
SESSION 12 |
12.00 -12:30