Benjamín Valverde, General Manager for Latin America at Hughes, said emerging countries in particular can have access to multiple providers and connectivity options in a world where space sovereignty “is under significant threat from large corporations and major powers.”

Speaking at the opening of Satellite Map Day 2026, the executive also raised the possibility of governments designating satellites as “critical national assets.” Such a designation would recognize their importance because of the vital functions they perform, ranging from national security and economic activity to connectivity and public welfare.

Opening the event, organized by Convergencialatina, Mariana Rodríguez Zani, CEO of Grupo Convergencia, said: “For years we have watched the evolution of the satellite market. Today we see something broader: space is becoming critical infrastructure for connectivity, the economy and the sovereignty of nations. The new space economy is no longer defined by what happens in orbit, but by the value it generates on Earth.”

Concept. The Eutelsat representative noted that the concept of space sovereignty has several definitions. The first is a country’s ability to independently control its activities in space without relying on external actors.

However, that sovereignty can be undermined by congested orbits and frequencies from the presence of a large number of satellites. “That congestion generates interference and reduced capacity, particularly in countries in this region. These are obstacles that make it harder for countries in the region to achieve their own space sovereignty,” Valverde said.

In that regard, he added that “another threat is dependence on a single provider or a single technology for satellite connectivity in a country. We already have several examples in the region where one satellite operator is highly dominant, and that poses a threat to a country’s space sovereignty.”

Multi-orbit solution. According to the executive, solutions to this threat include hybrid or multi-orbit networks. “By having a network that does not depend solely on LEO, MEO or GEO, but on all orbits, resilience is ensured and the use of multiple systems at the same time is ensured. These systems can also switch between different orbits to guarantee connectivity 100% of the time,” he said.

He added that the use of advanced technologies helps mitigate these threats, including satellite equipment that leverages artificial intelligence, machine learning and software-defined networks. These technologies make it possible to predict, detect and reroute traffic in response to threats.

He also said governments should promote flexible procurement policies. “At Hughes, we support procurement models that favor more than one provider, for example in the tendering process. The goal is not to depend on a single provider for critical connectivity in a country or in a region of a country,” he said.