6G Global Summit 2023

Philip Marnick is the General Director of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). He was appointed early January 2022 by the Members of the Board, to assume the position, paving the way for a more effective regulatory framework by continuing the evolution of the telecom sector liberalization.

Mr Marnick leads the TRA, including the development of consumer protection initiatives and resolving disputes. The TRA develops regulatory rules that promote competition, innovation, and investment in broadband services and facilities, as well as developing a more comprehensive and competitive framework that aligns with international best practices. Ensuring that Bahrain remains a center of innovation and that its telecommunications sector serves everyone while supporting Bahrain’s strategic objectives.

Before assuming his role at the TRA, Mr Marnick managed and directed at Ofcom in the UK, where he was the Group Director of Spectrum responsible for all aspects of UK national and international spectrum management – from strategy to delivery including awards, clearance and enforcement. Mr Marnick has worked in the telecommunications sector for over 30 years. He has served as a senior executive in technology, operations, and strategy. Mr Marnick has worked in both start-ups (from inception to sale) and major corporations, in firms such as UK Broadband, O2, Orange, BT, J-Phone in Japan (now Softbank Mobile), Extreme Mobile, and SpinVox (now Nuance).

From analogue to 5G, he has engaged across every mobile generation. Throughout his carrier he has been at the forefront of industry developments – in both fixed and mobile. He has collaborated on the first deployments of mobile networks utilizing new technologies and standards, this has also included innovative products such as the first camera phone and photo messaging service, as well as mobile internet and hosted voice services.

Professor Konstantinos Masselos has been appointed as the President of the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) in February 2018. He has been elected to serve as Vice-Chair of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) for 2019.

In 2006 he joined University of Peloponnese, where he is currently a Professor in Computing Systems Design in the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications. Konstantinos served as Rector of the above university the period 2012-2017. During the period 2005 to 2008, he was Lecturer in digital systems at the Imperial College London. Also from 2010 to 2016 he served as Honorary Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, at the Imperial College London. From 2001 to 2004 he joined Intracom Telecom SA in Greece.

Konstantinos has been involved in several research and development projects and has consulting experience in industry and public organizations. Since 2005 he has been regularly involved as an expert in different European Commission units. Additionally, Konstantinos was member of the Scientific Committee of European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) organization from 2015 to 2017. He has authored more than 120 papers in international journals and conferences.

Chair of the GSA’s Global Spectrum Team and Director of Samsung’s Spectrum & Industry Affairs. Previously held a variety of roles including UK government 3G auction team, Nokia standards & regulatory affairs, 4G pioneer start up Flarion Technologies, Qualcomm business development and wireless energy harvesting start-up Drayson Technologies.

Johann is a Partner at Analysys Mason and is based in Dubai.

Johann has close to 15 years’ experience in telecoms, spanning engineering and consulting. He joined Analysys Mason in 2008, and is one of our experts in broadband and fiber (next-generation access) networks, having worked on many assignments in these areas in relation to strategy, regulation, transaction support/business planning or litigation support, worldwide and in particular in the Middle East. Johann has particular expertise in regulation and policy: he has assisted many operators and regulators in Europe and the Middle East on topics such as regulatory lobbying, reference/wholesale offers, core regulation (dominance determination, numbering/number portability, etc.) and cost modelling.

Johann holds a Master of Science from Télécom ParisTech (formerly ENST), a Master’s degree in telecommunications engineering from the University of Melbourne and a Master’s degree in Corporate Finance from the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers in France. Before joining Analysys Mason, Johann held positions focusing on network architecture, design and sales support with fixed and mobile network operators in France (Completel and Bouygues Telecom).

Peter is managing the Commission’s policy on 5G communication systems and the related research and innovation programme.

Before his appointment as Head of Unit he was managing the office of the Director General of DG CONNECT, Roberto Viola, coordinating the Commission’s digital policy initiatives. The portfolio included Digital Single Market, Broadband Policy, Telecoms, Media and Online Policy, the Copyright Reform as well as the EU ICT Research and Innovation Programme.

Between 2010 and 2014 he had different roles in the Commission’s telecoms policy Directorate. These included Head of Sector “Spectrum Policy”, penholder of main elements of the Commission proposal on the Telecom Single Market and the Roaming regulation, and the implementation of the EU telecom rules in Germany and Austria.

Between 2005 and 2010 he coordinated the EU R&D programme leading to the 4G mobile communications standards.

Before joining the European Commission in 2004 he has occupied several engineering and management positions in industry, academia and start-ups. He holds engineering and doctoral degrees from RWTH Aachen University, Germany.

Isabelle Mauro is Director General of the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) that represents the interests of 29 global and regional satellite operators. She reports directly to their Chief Executives.

Under Isabelle’s leadership, GSOA and its member CEOs lead the effort to showcase the benefits of satellite communications for a more inclusive and secure society – vital to bridging the world’s digital divide, achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and realizing the 5G ecosystem.

Isabelle has 25 years experience in the Telecoms and Technology sector, starting at the GSMA, where she was responsible for government and international Affairs. In 2015 she moved to New York to join the World Economic Forum as Head of  Information, Communications and Technology Industries, managing the portfolio for 60+ Tech companies globally and leading initiatives on inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.

Isabelle is passionate about inclusion and sustainability. She is Chair of the High-Level Advisory Board of the DigitalGoesGreen Foundation. She also sits on the Advisory Board of Women in Tech and is a member of the UNESCO Advisory Group for the Declaration on Connectivity for Education.

Isabelle holds an MSc in European Politics and Policy from the London School of Economics. She is fluent in French, English, Italian and Spanish.

David is currently the ETSI Director of New Technologies (NET), which involves tracking the latest ICT technology and business trends and all relevant research initiatives in order to identify appropriate technology standards needs and future opportunities for ETSI.

In addition, he works on outreach initiatives towards the research and academic communities, both in Europe and globally, as well as engaging with key European research programs such as Horizon Europe.

David has more than 30 years’ experience in the telecommunications sector, which includes over 20 years’ working in ICT standardization supporting both 3GPP and ETSI Technical and strategic groups.

Chih-Lin I is the Chief Scientist of Wireless Technologies, in charge of advanced wireless communication R&D effort of China Mobile Research Institute (CMRI). She established the Green Communications Research Center of China Mobile, spearheading major initiatives including 5G Key Technologies R&D; high energy efficiency system architecture, technologies, and devices; green energy; C-RAN and soft base station.
Chih-Lin received her Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, has almost 30 years experience in wireless communication area. She has worked in various world-class companies and research institutes, including wireless communication fundamental research department of AT&T Bell Labs; Headquarter of AT&T, as Director of Wireless Communications Infrastructure and Access Technology; ITRI of Taiwan, as Director of Wireless Communication Technology; Hong Kong ASTRI, as VP and the Founding GD of Communications Technology Domain. Chih-Lin received the Trans. COM
Stephen Rice Best Paper Award, and is a winner of CCCP “National 1000 talent” program. She was an elected Board Member of IEEE ComSoc, Chair of ComSoc Meeting and Conference Board, and the Founding Chair of IEEE WCNC Steering Committee. She is currently an Executive Board Member of GreenTouch, a Founding Member of ETSI NFV Network Operator Council, a Steering Board Member of WWRF, and a Scientific Advisory Board Member of Singapore National Research Foundation.

Superintendent of Granting and Resources for the Provision of Telecommunication Services. Master in Telecommunications Engineering and postgraduate in Telecommunications Management from the University of Brasília (UnB). Specialist in Governance and Control of Regulation by the National School of Public Administration (ENAP). Telecommunications Network Consultant between 1998 and 2011. Professor in Electrical Engineering courses at private universities in Brasília. Agency employee since 2011, having worked in the regulatory area, in the area of Critical Infrastructure Management and manager of Quality Obligations Control.

Dr. Alex Jinsung Choi is Chairman of the O-RAN ALLIANCE and Senior Vice President, Group Technology and Head of T-Labs, which is the central Research & Development division of Deutsche Telekom. In addition, he is member of the Technology & Innovation management board, where he has responsibility for several strategic topics.
Dr. Choi has been a thought leader for over 20 years in the mobile telecommunication industry & consumer electronics by driving forward key strategic and research topics in Telco and AI.
Dr. Choi was the first Chairman of the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) and previously served as CTO for SK Telekom. With the introduction of “NUGU”, the first AI- based virtual assistant in Korea, Dr. Choi was influential in the development of AI solutions.

Ulrich leads Nokia Standardization team. The team is responsible for global and regional standardization, technical regulation as spectrum. The team is part of the Nokia BellLabs CTO group.

Prior to that Ulrich lead Nokia Networks Industry Environment unit.

Between 2007 and 2012 Ulrich lead the NSN 3GPP standardization team and has served as Head of Delegation to 3GPP. Since 2009 he chaired the Industry Group “European Friends of 3GPP”.

Between 1996 and 2007, Ulrich held various positions in R&D of Siemens Mobile Networks unit. He was responsible for standardization activities of the core network business unit and managed Siemens 3GPP activities. Ulrich had instrumental role in the definition of the UMTS architecture as well as in set up of project management in 3GPP.

Ulrich holds a Ph.D. from Télécom ParisTech from 1996; research area was the definition of 3G Radio Interface and his research was part of EU collaborative research program (RACE ATDMA).

Bio coming shortly.

Marja Matinmikko-Blue is the Research Director of the Infotech Oulu Institute and Director of Sustainability & Regulation at 6G Flagship at the University of Oulu, Finland, where she also holds an Adjunct Professor position in spectrum management. She completed her Doctor of Science degree in communications engineering in 2012, and Doctor of Philosophy degree in industrial engineering and management in 2018 at the University of Oulu. She has been conducting multi-disciplinary research into the technical, business, and regulatory aspects of future mobile communication systems in close collaboration with industry, academia, and regulators for over two decades. She has published 180+ scientific papers and prepared 160+ contributions to regulatory bodies.

Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa has been appointed as the CEO of the National Center for Cybersecurity, with more than 20 years of experience as he started his career in the Central Information Organization (CIO) , in addition to his tenure served at the Royal Court to set up the IT infrastructure. He then held several positions in the Information and eGovernment Authority (IGA), including a network engineer, head of the smart card initiative project section and general director of information technology, and ended up with his work in the authority as executive vice president of operations and governance.

Amongst the most significant projects that he has achieved at the IGA is the execution of the New Government Data Network (GDN) project on which High Speed MPLS resulted in linking all of Bahrain’s governmental agencies together, the development of the National Identity Card using the Smartcard Technology. Shaikh Salman also developed and implemented applications for several critical Government Organizations, which enabled the e-Government program to deliver e-Services through the National Portal Bahrain.bh by linking the systems in various organizations. He also established the Government’s private cloud which is the foundation for the consolidation project in government agencies. Moreover, he is currently leading the Government of Bahrain’s Technical team in migrating the Government’s IT services to AWS.

Shaikh Salman graduated from Suffolk University from Boston Massachusetts, USA with a Double Major in Accounting & Information Technology.

Dr. Madhusanka Liyanage is an Assistant Professor/Ad Astra Fellow and Director of Graduate Research at the School of Computer Science, University College Dublin, Ireland. He is also acting as a Adjunct Professor at the University of Oulu, Finland, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka and the University of Sri Jayawardhanepura, Sri Lanka. He received his Doctor of Technology degree in communication engineering from the University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland, in 2016. He was also a recipient of the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowship and Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship during 2018-2020.

In 2020, he received the “2020 IEEE ComSoc Outstanding Young Researcher” award by IEEE ComSoc EMEA. In 2021 and 2022, he was ranked among the World’s Top 2% Scientists (2020 and 2021) in the List prepared by Elsevier BV, Stanford University, USA. Also, he was awarded an Irish Research Council (IRC) Research Ally Prize as part of the IRC Researcher of the Year 2021 awards for the positive impact he has made as a supervisor. In 2022, he received “2022 The Tom Brazil Excellence in Research Award” by SFI CONNECT Center. Moreover, Madhusanka received a Special Commendation for IRC Early Career Researcher of 2022 by Irish Research Council, Ireland.

Dr. Liyanage’s research interests are 5G/6G Security, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Explainable AI and Federated Learning (FL) security, Network Slicing, Internet of Things (IoT) and Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC). He has co-authored over 150 publications, including three authored books, four edited books and several patents in mobile network security domain. He is also an expert consultant at European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and a Funded Investigator of Science Foundation Ireland CONNECT Research Centre, Ireland. Moreover, he is an expert reviewer at different funding agencies in Europe, Asia and Oceania regions.

Pr. Soumaya Cherkaoui’s research and teaching interests are in wireless networks. Particularly, she works on next generation networks (5G and beyond), Edge intelligence/Network Intelligence, and communication networks/edge intelligence for verticals such as Connected and Autonomous Cars, IoT, and Industrial IoT. She leads a research group which conducts research funded both by government and industry. Before joining academia as a professor in 1999, she worked for industry as a project leader on projects targeted at the Aerospace Industry. Pr. Cherkaoui has held invited positions at leading institutions including the University of California at Berkeley. Bell Laboratories, Monash University, and the University of Toronto, as well as an adjunct position at Lulea University, in Sweden.

In 2010, she was appointed member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence Auto21, Canada. Since 2017, she has been serving as member of MITACS Research Council. Pr. Cherkaoui avails of a long research experience in the wireless networking. She was named Distinguished Lecturer by the IEEE Communication Society. Her work resulted in technology transfer to companies and to patented technology. Pr. Cherkaoui has published over 100 research papers in reputed journals and conferences. She co-edited several collective works, has been an associate editor and guest editor of several IEEE, IET, Wiley and Elsevier Journals. She is currently on the editorial board of IEEE Network, the IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, IEEE Systems, Elsevier Vehicular Communications, and IET Quantum Communication. Her work was awarded with recognitions and best paper awards including a best paper award at the IEEE Communications Society Flagship conference IEEE ICC in 2017. She has chaired prestigious conferences such as IEEE LCN 2019, and has served as a symposium co-chair for flagship conferences including IEEE ICC 2021, IEEE ICC 2018, IEEE Globecom 2018, IEEE Globecom 2015, IEEE ICC 2014, and IEEE PIMRC 2011. She is a Professional Engineer in Canada, a senior IEEE Member, and is serving as the Chair of the IEEE Communications Society IoT-Ad hoc and Sensor Networks Technical Committee since 2020.

Mr. Mario Maniewicz was elected Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He took office on 1 January 2019.

Mario Maniewicz is an electronic engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with the ITU for over 30 years, where he has held various positions of responsibility in the Radiocommunication and Development Bureaux as well as in ITU Regional Offices.

As Director, Mr. Maniewicz is responsible for the management of the Radiocommunication Bureau, which organizes and co-ordinates the work of the Radiocommunication Sector whose aim is to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.

Lacina Kone is the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Smart Africa since March 2019.

He oversees the process of defining and advancing Africa’s digital agenda and has overseen the development of continental blueprints for Africa on Digital Identity, ICT Start-ups and Innovation Ecosystems, Smart Villages and the definition of Africa’s Smart Broadband 2025 Strategy in addition to advancing additional key continental initiatives. In recognition for this work, Mr. Koné has reached the 12th position in 2021 among the 50 personalities advancing Africa’s digital transformation. He recently ranked number 3 among the 10 Africa digital trendsetters in the 2022 Jeune Afrique technology ranking.

Prior to that, he served as the advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (2017-2018), in charge of Digital Transformation and Public Reforms, and was also the advisor to the President from 2011-2017. Mr. Kone is a professional of ICT industry with over 25 years’ experience in the telecommunications, satellite and intelligent transport system. Prior to that, Mr. Koné held during his career several high level technical and managerial positions with firms such as Booz Allen Hamilton and Intelsat.

Mr. Kone holds a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering (United Arab Emirates), he has validated his Polytechnique rank at the University of Brunel (UK), and he holds and an MBA from George Washington University (US).

He also sits on the advisory boards of Benya Capital (Egypt) and Townlabour Technologies (US) and he is also a Commissioner in the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development (BBCOM).

H.E. Eng Belal Al-Hafnawi is an ICT executive leader experienced in technology, management, leadership, regulatory and strategy. Currently working as Commissioner and full time Board Member at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC).

His Excellency Belal has 20 years’ experience in technology, telecommunications, information technology and digital transformation. He has worked with several international mobile network vendors and service providers including Huawei, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung Electronics and STC.

He has wide work experience in various telecommunications fields, which include management, advisory, strategy, technical consulting, managing complex programs and projects, operation management and quality.

He holds Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Telecommunications from the University of Jordan, and holds executive certification in Management and Leadership from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United states, which focused on business implications in Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things and platform strategies.

He is a technical writer, author and international speaker.

Bio coming shortly.

Jungsoo Jung is a Principal Engineer and a Project Leader of the 6G Project at Samsung Electronics. He actively contributed to the standardization of 3G and 4G wireless systems as a Chairperson of a 3GPP 2 MAC working group. He currently serves as a Co-Chairperson of the ITU-R WP-5D evaluation sub-working group that defines evaluation methodology for IMT-2020 and assesses performance of candidate technologies. His current research fields cover beyond 5G and 6G services, radio systems, and networks. He received his B.S., and M.S. degrees in computer science from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejon.

Richard has 30 years’ experience working in technology, policy and regulatory roles in telecoms and media. An engineer by background, he has practical experience of digital infrastructure design and deployment. In Ofcom, he is currently leading work to understand the radio spectrum requirements of next generation wireless technologies (such as 6G), assessing the potential of direct to device satellite solutions and how wireless connectivity can facilitate innovation in industry verticals.

Cameron has a wide range of experience in areas including network cost modelling, transaction support and spectrum policy/management, working on behalf of both telecoms regulators and operators.

Cameron has particular expertise in the area of spectrum management and has supported clients ahead of many spectrum awards and transactions. He has led multiple projects for operators on topics including spectrum strategy, spectrum valuation and bidding strategy, as well as supporting regulators with issues such as spectrum award design. In addition, he has contributed to several white papers and expert witness reports on major spectrum management issues. Cameron is also active in the area of regulation, having supported regulators with high-profile studies on topics such as number portability and pricing of regulated wholesale services.

Cameron has an MSci degree in Chemistry from Imperial College London, during which he spent a year at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, USA.

Mohaned Juwad is responsible in assisting Intelsat’s strategic long-term spectrum position in the marketplace. In his role, he works closely with the company’s vice president on corporate and spectrum strategy and the spectrum strategy team to analyze and identify emerging spectrum opportunities and risks for Intelsat. In addition, he is responsible for managing efforts from Europe, Middle East and Africa that protect, optimize and leverage the company’s spectrum assets in support of Intelsat’s broader long-term growth strategy.

Dr. Juwad has over 13 years’ experience within the satellite industry where he held various roles in the past. Prior to rejoining Intelsat in 2016, Dr. Juwad served as manager, regulatory licensing and market access, at Avanti Communications Group Plc where he was responsible for managing and acquiring licensing and authorization for Ka-band geostationary satellite services across Europe, Middle East and the Africa region, in addition to overseeing regulatory activities at the ITU, CEPT, and other regulatory bodies. Before that, he worked as a consultant where he worked in ESA funded projects to develop the DVB-S2 standard operating in Ka-band, and also developed Ka-band mortised terminals where he was instrumental in developing a commercial self-aligned antenna.

Dr. Juwad earned a Philosophy of Doctorate (PhD) from Isambard Kingdom Brunel University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering at Herefordshire University. Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) is the world’s leading provider of satellite services, delivering high performance connectivity solutions for media, fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure, enterprise and government and military applications for more than 50 years. Intelsat’s satellite, teleport and fiber infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video and broadband services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and mobile broadband access, with Intelsat, envision your future network, connect using our leading satellite technology and transform your opportunities.

Eliane Semaan is a Senior Researcher at Ericsson. She received her M.Sc. degree in wireless systems from the Royal Institute of Technology and joined Ericsson in 2011. She is currently working on spectrum regulations and involved in different CEPT ECC groups, focusing on the introduction of 5G in Europe. She has been involved in the 3GPP standardization work for several releases of the 4G and 5G standards, focusing on physical layer enhancements (RAN1) and coexistence studies (RAN4).

Dr. Tassos Lyratzis is an Electrical & Computer Engineer and holds a PhD in the field of Telecommunications & Computer Networks (1994). During his PhD studies, he worked as a specialist in Telecommunications in various European research projects.

He is working in EETT since 2001, in the Spectrum Directorate. He has been the Head of the Spectrum Management Department (2003-2006) when EETT was involved in the Spectrum Management of the Olympic Games of Athens in 2004. Since 2011 he is Head (Director) of Spectrum Division of EETT. He participates in international activities in European Union Regulatory bodies like the Radio Spectrum Committee (2003-2006) and the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (2011 – today).

In 2016 he became the co-rapporteur for the Working Group 5G “Spectrum related aspects for next-generation wireless systems (5G)” in RSPG.

Tariq Al Awadhi of United Arab Emirates is the Executive Director Spectrum Affairs
Department of the Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) United Arab Emirates. Mr. Al
Awadhi has 24 years of experience in spectrum management. He was elected
Chairman of ITU World Radio Conference (WRC) 2012. He headed a number of ITU Groups and meetings and contributed towards ITU resolutions, recommendations and studies. He represented the UAE in ITU, IMO, ICAO, Arab Spectrum Management Group, GCC Telecom Bureau and a number of other international and regional forums. He is currently Chairman of Arab Spectrum Management Group (ASMG).