Lightning Session
Wednesday 12 July 2017, 17h00-17h20
Supported by
EMEA Satellite Operators Association (ESOA)
Connectivity Barriers to Financial Inclusion
Access to financial, banking and money transfer services is a prerequisite
for economic growth all around the world and, in particular, in emerging
economies. Satellite communications are enabling affordable, high quality
solutions to enable money transfer, micro-finance, ATMs and connect remote
bank agencies. These services help transform the socio-economic lives of
citizens through financial literacy and access but important regulatory
barriers exist that prevent their benefits from reaching regions that need
them most.
Speakers
Kumar Singarajah, Global Spectrum and Regulatory Policy, ESOA
Kumar Singarajah is Director of Regulatory Affairs and Business Development
of Avanti Communications PLC and an active member of ESOA’s Regulatory
Working Group. As well as being on Avanti’s Executive Committee, he is
responsible for regulatory and government relations as well as business
development and new space system development activities. He holds a BSc in
Electrical Engineering from Imperial College, London, an MSc in Mobile
& Satellite Communications from University of Surrey and an MBA from
the Open University. He has worked in senior positions in the space and
telecommunications sectors for about 30 years including at Logica, SES,
Inmarsat and ICO Global.
Ruth Pritchard-Kelly, Global Spectrum and Regulatory Policy, ESOA
Ruth Pritchard-Kelly has been O3b (now 'SES Networks') Director for
Regulatory Affairs since 2010. She is also an active member of ESOA’s
Regulatory Working Group. She has helped O3b access new markets around the
world by working with governments on the regulations necessary to allow
O3b’s innovative orbit and Ka-band frequencies to be used by local
operators. Previously, she taught Internet law and has worked for the
American Mobile Satellite Corporation. She has both a JD and an MA in Space
Policy.
