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Wolf Bussian, managing partner for Germany at A&O Shearman, added: “In a multipolar world, reliability is everything: power is shifting, responsibility is growing, and technology, trade, and security are inseparable. Those who build smart partnerships will create sustainable prosperity.

“Multipolarity isn’t a risk in itself, but a mandate to shape outcomes—de-risking, not decoupling; rules, and not bloc-building is how we will secure stability and growth.”

A&O Shearman leaders on the BGD stage

A&O Shearman partners will contribute to five high-profile sessions across the program, bringing legal, regulatory and strategic perspectives to discussions at the intersection of markets, policy and technology.

October 23, 1:30pm–2:45pm

Shaping a multipolar future: a conversation with the BGD Young Voices

Hervé Ekué, global managing partner at A&O Shearman will join fellow panelists to discuss ways to strengthen democratic culture, rebuild institutional trust and align economic decision-making with long-term societal goals to address the expectations of emerging generations who are calling for bolder leadership rooted in climate responsibility, democratic values, accountability, and trust.

October 23, 4:45pm–6:00pm

War speed: scaling technology under pressure

Magdalena Nasilowska, partner at A&O Shearman, will moderate a panel examining how Europe can reform procurement, accelerate deployment, and build a defense innovation ecosystem fit for today’s security landscape.

October 24, 10:30am–11:45am

The end of predictability? Adapting enterprises to the geopolitical age

Hervé Ekué, global managing partner at A&O Shearman, will also join a discussion about how companies are rethinking cross-border operating models—from supply chains and legal entity structures to innovation strategies—to build resilience and secure their global footprint, as globalization gives way to fragmentation.

October 25, 09:30am–10:30am

The future of the China-Europe relationship

Xin (Lorna) Chen, partner at A&O Shearman, will moderate a discussion about how China and Europe can rebuild trust, deepen cooperation, and pursue sustainable growth amid global geopolitical change.

October 25, 09:30am–10:30am

The pivotal role of middle powers in a multipolar world

Dirk Arts, partner at A&O Shearman will join a panel debate to discuss how middle powers are reshaping the operating environment for business and investment, and the role they are playing in forging strategic partnerships, shaping regional dynamics, and championing the emergence of competing institutions.

BGD: bringing decision-makers together to effect change

BGD brings together established leaders and the next generation of decision-makers to promote dialogue in four key areas shaping the future of the global economy:

• Geopolitical shifts
• Climate change
• Technological advances
• Global inequality

With a strong focus on the realities of a multipolar world—from supply chain resilience and defense innovation to digital governance and the evolving role of middle powers—BGD equips enterprises, investors and policymakers with the insights needed to navigate an era defined by uncertainty and reinvention.

If you plan to attend BGD 2025, please reach out to Ulrich Horstschäfer at ulrich.horstschaefer@allenovery.com to arrange a meeting.

TAMPA, Fla. — Lynk Global plans to merge with Omnispace to upgrade its direct-to-device (D2D) services with globally coordinated S-band spectrum, joining SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile in shoring up satellite frequencies after initially relying on cellular partnerships.

Luxembourg-based multi-orbit operator SES, which has invested in both companies, will become a major strategic shareholder in the combined group, they announced Oct. 22 in a joint news release that offered few details.

The merged entity would combine Omnispace’s 60 megahertz of S-band spectrum with Lynk’s D2D platform, which is currently providing intermittent messaging and alert services in a handful of island nations with five small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).

Omnispace had planned to use the spectrum for a D2D constellation of more than 600 satellites, after deploying experimental spacecraft in low and medium Earth orbits.

However, the Washington, D.C.-based venture’s efforts stalled amid its claims of interference from SpaceX’s D2D service.

The interference issue was specific to the United States, Omnispace vice president of strategy and marketing George Giagtzoglou said via email, where part of the T-Mobile cellular spectrum used by SpaceX overlaps with Omnispace’s S-band frequencies. He said a recent regulatory request from SpaceX to the Federal Communications Commission could help ease the conflict by aligning its frequency use with international S-band allocations.

“This merger unlocks the full potential of our global S-band spectrum assets and positions us at the forefront of D2D,” Omnispace CEO Ram Viswanathan said in the announcement.

Ramu Potarazu, CEO of Falls Church, Virginia-based Lynk, said: “We now have the right mix of technology, spectrum and leadership to extend mobile connectivity where and when it’s needed most. 

“This merger will enable us to accelerate our efforts in delivering seamless, reliable messaging, voice and data services — serving [mobile network operators (MNOs)], as well as consumer, commercial and industrial vehicles, and government and utility sectors worldwide.”

The deal comes months after Lynk abandoned an attempt to raise capital for its constellation by merging with Slam Corp., a publicly listed shell company led by former MLB star Alex Rodriguez.

Potarazu outlined plans last month to instead lean on SES and the operator’s network in geostationary and medium Earth orbit to provide a global, continuous D2D service by 2027.

The company plans to launch a pair of satellites in February to validate new technology, including a multi-orbit relay capability with SES.

The companies expect to close the merger late this year or early next, pending regulatory approvals. Potarazu would serve as CEO of the combined entity, with Viswanathan as chief strategy officer.

The spectrum pivot

Meanwhile, SpaceX is awaiting regulatory approval to acquire S-band spectrum from geostationary broadband operator EchoStar in a deal worth more than $17 billion. 

SpaceX leverages more than 650 Starlink D2D satellites in LEO to provide services that are currently limited to text messaging, emergency alerts and certain apps in the U.S., New Zealand and Japan.

In the U.S., the company is using about 10 megahertz of similarly situated terrestrial spectrum from T-Mobile, but plans to boost its D2D capacity twentyfold with a second-generation service that would integrate 50 megahertz of EchoStar’s spectrum.

AST SpaceMobile only has five BlueBird satellites in LEO, but it aims to deliver continuous coverage in the U.S. and other key markets after ramping up launches over the next 18 months.

The Texas-based venture has partnered with AT&T and Verizon in the U.S. and is seeking approval to access L-band spectrum in North America from bankrupt satellite operator Ligado Networks. 

Alongside a deal for global S-band spectrum, subject to country-by-country approval, AST says satellite frequencies are key to its plan to enable broadband speeds of up to 120 megabits per second from space.

Related

Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (TME) oversees the wholesale sales and marketing of Toyota, GR (Gazoo Racing) and Lexus vehicles and parts and accessories, as well as Toyota’s European manufacturing and engineering operations. Toyota directly employs over 26,000 people and has invested over EUR 12 billion in Europe since 1990. Its eight European manufacturing plants are located in Portugal, the UK, France, Poland, Czech Republic and Turkey. Today, there are approximately 14.7 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles on European roads, whose drivers are supported by a network of 28 National Marketing and Sales Companies and around 2,800 retail sales outlets in 53 countries (EU, UK, EFTA countries , Israel, Turkey and other Eastern European countries). In 2024, TME sold 1,217,132 vehicles in Europe for a 7.1% market share. For more information, visit www.toyota-europe.com.

Toyota believes that when people are free to move, anything is possible. In the pursuit of “Mobility for All”, Toyota aims to create safer, more connected, inclusive and sustainable mobility to achieve its mission of producing “Happiness for All”. In Europe, TME launched the KINTO mobility brand which offers a range of mobility services in 20 countries, and is growing its business-to-business sales of zero-emission fuel cell products and engineering support. Contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Toyota is working to achieve carbon neutrality in its entire business across Europe. A historic leader in CO2 reduction in Europe, TME aims to achieve 100% CO2 reduction in all new vehicles in Western Europe by 2035 and will continue to offer a full range of electrified powertrains to customers across the region with its hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery and fuel cell electric vehicles.