Geneva
Switzerland
- Daniel Nunes
Intermediate
Event Organizer(s)
Partnership
Description
This course is designed for policymakers, educational and telecommunications regulators, government officials, and ICT professionals eager to leverage emerging satellite technologies to enhance school connectivity. It focuses on satellite broadband as a core infrastructure solution to bridge the digital divide in education and ensure sustainable internet access for remote and unconnected schools.
While maintaining a solid technical foundation, the main goal of the course is to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of satellite access technologies—including LEO, MEO, and GEO constellations—as well as their specific deployment frameworks, financing models, and regulatory policies tailored to educational networks on a global scale. By the end of the course, participants will have gained both the technical knowledge and strategic insight required to assess, plan, and implement sustainable satellite-based solutions for schools in their countries. They will be equipped to design public policies, manage total cost of ownership (TCO), and optimize internet delivery for classrooms in alignment with global spectrum policies and international best practices.
This course is open to:
- Policymakers and government officials who are involved in national digital inclusion and school connectivity planning.;
- Regulators and other ICT professionals who are keen on leveraging emerging technologies to enhance service delivery, operational efficiency and governance.
- Project managers and technical advisors responsible for deploying and maintaining network infrastructure, satellite terminals (VSATs), and digital services in rural and underserved educational environments.
Members of the above-mentioned target population are invited to apply for the training if they meet the following criteria:
- Hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant field or have a minimum of three years of experience in the field of digital transformation if they do not hold a university degree;
- Possess a fluent level of English;
- Complete the application questionnaire and attach an up-to-date CV, a recommendation letter from their employer, or a motivation letter.
Government officials and policymakers from developing countries, particularly women, are encouraged to apply.
Selection will be conducted by the course organizers, who will consider the above entry requirements along with an analysis of the application questionnaire and the recommendation/motivation letter of each applicant.
Number of available places for the cohort: 30
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Outline the fundamentals of satellite broadband connectivity and its strategic importance in school connectivity.
- Distinguish between LEO, MEO, and GEO satellite constellations, evaluating their technical capabilities (such as latency and throughput) for school connectivity.
- Explain the technical infrastructure of satellite systems, including user terminals, ground stations, and local distribution requirements (e.g., campus Wi-Fi and power constraints) in remote schools.
- Evaluate national and global regulatory frameworks, universal service financing mechanisms, and spectrum policies that foster affordable satellite access for school connectivity.
- Analyze and design large-scale satellite connectivity projects for schools, considering lifecycle deployment strategies, operation logistics, and long-term financial sustainability.
- Assess emerging trends in satellite technology, such as mega-constellations and hybrid 5G integration, and their future implications for lowering the cost of school connectivity.
The course will be delivered in a Face-to-Face (F2F) format, combining instructor-led presentations with interactive discussions and group work to foster an engaging learning environment. The instructor will introduce each topic through structured interactive sessions, using real-world examples and case studies to enhance learning. Throughout the sessions, participants will be encouraged to actively participate by asking questions and engaging in open discussion. Group activities and debates will be facilitated to promote collaborative learning, allowing participants to explore the implications of emerging technologies in various sectors. As part of the course methodology, one mandatory pre-reading is assigned for each topic to be completed before the course. These readings are carefully selected to provide essential background and contextual understanding of the topics at hand. Completing them in advance will enable participants to engage more effectively in daily discussions, group activities, and case analyses. This methodology ensures a dynamic and participatory learning experience, supporting the development of both individual insights and collective knowledge.
The course assessment methodology includes three components:
First, the instructor will evaluate the active participation of the participants during the discussion groups.
Second, each module concludes with a quiz containing 10 multiple-choice questions, each with five answer options. Of these, eight questions have only one correct answer, while two questions require selecting multiple correct answers. The quizzes must be completed at the end of each day during the sessions wrap-up.
Third, participants will complete a final assignment on the last afternoon of the course, in which they will be divided into five groups of six members. At the beginning of the course, each group will be assigned a topic related to the course content and will work throughout the week to prepare and present a collaborative presentation to the rest of the class at the end of the training. Each presentation must last a maximum of 15 minutes. The course instructor will offer guidance on utilizing AI tools to aid in the creation of these presentations. The proposed themes are:
- Group 1 - Designing Sustainable Satellite Connectivity Models for Remote and Rural Schools: The group will analyze the logistical and infrastructure challenges associated with installing satellite broadband in isolated schools (such as indigenous, riverside, or remote rural communities). The focus will be on proposing solutions that extend beyond the satellite link itself, including power sizing (such as solar panel kits for the terminals), campus-wide Wi-Fi distribution, and local technical training for basic troubleshooting. The team will evaluate existing case studies and design a viability matrix to ensure the connection remains active and stable.
- Group 2 - LEO vs. GEO Constellations: Selecting the Optimal Satellite Architecture for Educational Networks: The group will conduct an in-depth comparison between Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations and Geostationary (GEO) satellites, considering the specific data traffic demands of a modern school. They will analyze factors such as latency, throughput per student, the cost of user terminals (electronically steerable tracking antennas vs. fixed GEO dishes), and connection stability required to support real-time pedagogical tools (like interactive video lessons and LMS platforms) alongside administrative tasks. The goal is to build a decision-making guide for governments selecting fleet architectures.
- Group 3 - Financing and Regulatory Mechanisms for School Connectivity: Optimizing Universal Service Funds and Spectrum Policies: This group will evaluate how policymakers and regulators can structure legal frameworks to make satellite broadband financially viable for public schools. The analysis should cover the efficient utilization of Universal Service Funds, embedding school connectivity obligations into spectrum auctions (such as 5G rollouts), and tax exemption policies for educational VSAT terminals. The group will propose regulatory recommendations to attract satellite operators while ensuring long-term affordable tariffs for the public sector.
- Group 4 - Lifecycle and Project Management for Large-Scale Educational Satellite Deployments: The group will simulate managing a massive satellite connectivity deployment across a public-school network of hundreds or thousands of campuses. The group must plan the full project lifecycle: from centralized procurement strategies, hardware kit distribution logistics, and installation scheduling, to managing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over a 5-year period. This includes structuring contingency plans for hardware failures, Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with satellite providers, and remote technical support strategies.
- Group 5 - The Future of school connectivity: Leveraging LEO Mega-Constellations, Direct-to-Cell, and Hybrid 5G/Satellite Networks: The group will analyze the impact of upcoming waves of satellite technological innovation and how they will reshape connected school over the next few years. The research will cover the maturation of mega-constellations, the dropping cost per megabit, Direct-to-Cell technologies (satellite-to-smartphone without external antennas), and the integration of hybrid satellite/5G networks at the edge of school infrastructure. The core focus will be assessing how these innovations can lower costs and enable immersive educational technologies in currently disconnected regions.
Activity - Weighting (%)
- Active participation in group discussions - 10 %
- Quizzes - 35%
- Final assignment - 55%
- Total - 100%
A total score of 70% or higher is required to obtain the ITU certificate. Please note that full attendance throughout the training is mandatory for certification.
Day 1: Introduction to Satellite Connectivity and Satellite Types
Session 1: Introduction to Satellite Connectivity for Digital Inclusion
- Identify the fundamentals of satellite connectivity and its strategic importance in eliminating the digital divide in unconnected schools.
- Analyze the role of satellite broadband in enabling school connectivity, pedagogical development, improving school administration efficiency, and expanding access to government services.
Session 2: Types of Satellites – LEO, MEO, and GEO
- Distinguish between LEO, MEO, and GEO satellites and understand their characteristics, advantages, and limitations for school connectivity and data traffic.
- Analyze bandwidth capacity and latency requirements for pedagogical applications (video lessons, LMS platforms, research) and map the best fleet choice for different regional needs.
Session 3: Key Challenges and Opportunities in Deploying Satellite Broadband to Vulnerable Schools
- Discuss infrastructure and logistical barriers in remote areas, including internal network distribution (campus Wi-Fi) and power constraints (e.g., solar integration).
Session 4: Daily wrap-up, final assignment development and daily quiz
Day 2: Satellite Infrastructure and Applications
Session 1: Technical Foundations
- Outline the main applications of space technologies.
- Examine orbital mechanics and review the technical infrastructure of satellite systems.
- Explain how these technical elements support satellite connectivity in practice.
Session 2: Connectivity Applications
- Analyze satellite-based connectivity projects and their implementation strategies, with a focus on real-world service delivery challenges and school connectivity.
- Connect technical concepts to practical decision-making through case-based analyses.
Session 3: Future Trends
- Assess emerging trends in satellite technology and their future implications, including GEO, MEO, LEO, and direct-to-device applications.
- Characterize how new satellite technologies may shape future connectivity solutions for education.
Session 4: Daily wrap-up, final assignment development and daily quiz
Day 3: Policies, Regulations, and Global Frameworks for School Connectivity
Session 1: Global Satellite Connectivity Policies
- Examine the global landscape of satellite communications and the role of international regulatory bodies.
- Analyze how different countries approach satellite policy and regulation.
Session 2: National and Regional Regulatory Frameworks
- Evaluate the regulatory frameworks governing satellite communications at the national and regional levels.
- Distinguish between regulatory challenges and opportunities in the global satellite market.
Session 3: Regulatory Challenges and Financing of Broadband Connectivity: What Can Policymakers Learn from Global Models?
- Analyze different financing models used by governments to fund school connectivity, including Universal Service Funds (USF), spectrum auction commitments (e.g., 5G rollouts), and public-private partnerships.
- Identify practical regulatory governance lessons to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of satellite bandwidth contracts.
Session 4: Daily wrap-up, final assignment development and daily quiz
Day 4: Project Management, Case Studies, and Future Trends in School Satellite Networks
Session 1: Satellite Connectivity Project Management
- Evaluate the steps involved in planning and managing satellite-based connectivity projects.
- Analyze key factors that influence the success of satellite school connectivity projects, including cost, coverage, and local needs.
Session 2: Case Studies of Satellite Connectivity Implementation
- Apply lessons learned from real-world school connectivity case studies in Latin America and other developing regions.
- Assess challenges faced in satellite school connectivity projects and suggest improvements based on case study analysis.
Session 3: Network Operations: Traffic Management, Content Filtering, and Cybersecurity in Connected Schools
- Examine how to optimize limited satellite bandwidth through Quality of Service (QoS), caching servers, and educational content filtering.
- Analyze cyber threats and data privacy compliance (e.g., child online protection) within public school networks.
Session 4: Best Practices for Managing Satellite-Based Connectivity Projects in Developing Countries
- Discuss operational sustainability models and best practices for keeping school telecom networks functioning once initial subsidies expire.
- Comprehend the division of responsibilities among regulators, ministries of education, satellite operators, and local school communities to maintain active and safe infrastructure.
Session 5: Daily wrap-up, final assignment development and daily quiz
Day 5: Final Assessment
Session 1: Group presentations to the panel
Each group will have 30 mins in total (15 min for presentation and 15 mins for Q/A)
Session 2: Course evaluation
Mandatory anonymous feedback provided by participants
Session 3: Closing ceremony and certification of participants
Financial support available
The training is offered free of charge. Travel and daily subsistence allowances will be covered for selected participants from countries currently engaged in the Giga Initiative:
Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Applicants can apply to both the course and the fellowship by clicking on "Apply Here" at the top right part of this page.
Nationals from countries not included in the list above are welcome to apply, but they must commit to self-finance all of their costs if selected.
Tutors
Registration information
Unless specified otherwise, all ITU Academy training courses are open to all interested professionals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, economic status and other diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage registrations from female participants, and participants from developing countries. This includes least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.
