About this event
The convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks — integrating satellite, terrestrial mobile, and transport communication technologies has the potential to define the next generation of resilient, intelligent, and ubiquitous communications as mobility evolves towards autonomy, electrification, and real-time logistics. Seamless connectivity across air, land, sea, and space will be essential - enabling vehicles, infrastructure, and passengers to remain continuously connected, regardless of geography, terrain, or location.
Bridging terrestrial 5G/6G with satellite constellations and transport-specific communications promises ultra-reliable, low-latency, and high-capacity services that support safety, efficiency, and environmental goals. These are the core elements, infused with New Age technologies such as AI, digital twin and innovative cloud strategies, that are accelerating the transformation of global transport with smarter mobility and a future where connectivity is never a limitation.
The 2025 edition of this programme, which has pursued this mission since launch in 2019, will focus sharply on road and rail, through the perspective of some of the key global actors shaping the future of this domain.
Hosted by
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Guest speaker
Olaf Eckart Senior Expert Operations R&D, Industry Customers, BMW @ BMWG
Olaf Eckart is one of the founding members of the Non Terrestrial Network (NTN) Team of BMW. He is also leading the NTN activities of the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) for more than 3 years. He is pushing multi-stakeholder alignment in the global telecommunication eco system. Satellite communication should be based on global mobile standards (3GPP) The NTN Roadmap, published by the 5GAA in September 2024 has become one of the most powerful tools to discuss the potential deployment of satellite communication in the future.
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Guest speaker
Philip Heinisch Managing Director @ PHYMAG GmbH.G
Dr. Philip Heinisch is co-founder of PHYMAG GmbH a start-up dedicated to smart sensing and control solutions for applications ranging from medical research to AI-based process monitoring or rail vehicle odometry. Philip has a PhD in astrophysics and a background in embedded systems, scientific satellites and high-performance computing. After his time as researcher, he worked as Chief-Digital-Officer for the Braunschweig Chamber of Commerce.
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Guest speaker
Ken Takagi Business Development Director @ SES SatellitesG
Ken Takagi is responsible for communicating SES’s strategies internally and externally, and leading development of new initiatives driven by SES’s Innovation and Diversification Roadmaps. He joined SES in 1993 and has since held positions in marketing, product development & management and innovation strategy. He specializes in strategic development of innovative and customer-oriented solutions that have helped shape and grow SES’s business and holds a B.A. in Economics from Keio Gijuku University in Tokyo, and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.
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Guest speaker
Javed Padinhakara Software Platform Leader Mobility (SDV), Connected Autonomous Vehicles @ Ford Motor CompanyG
Javed spearheads the strategic and technical delivery of Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) platforms, playing a pivotal role in advancing the future of connected and autonomous mobility. He previously led Ford's internal start-up group (FordNext) dedicated to emerging technologies — leading the development of cutting-edge platforms and smart mobility solutions. These initiatives were specifically designed to address the AV ride-hailing market and next-generation vehicle ecosystems, positioning Ford at the forefront of transformative mobility technologies.
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Guest speaker
Dr. Mu He Associate Director Technology Standards @ VerizonG
Dr. Mu He is a standards architect at Verizon, where he specializes in the automotive and transportation standards ecosystem. He also holds the position of Vice-Chair of Working Group 1 on Use Cases and Requirements for the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA). His work is dedicated to fostering harmonization across the automotive connectivity standards ecosystem through active participation in various standards development organizations (SDOs) and industry forums.
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Guest speaker
Dominic Richter GTM Manager @ Deutscher TelekomG
Dominic Richter is a Technical Product Manager at Deutsche Telekom IoT, with over three years of experience in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NB-NTN) and IoT connectivity solutions. His work spans partner management, product steering, go-to-market projects, and business model development, driving the adoption of next-generation 3GPP-based connectivity. With a background in telecommunications engineering, Dominic focuses on bringing innovative technologies from concept to market-ready solutions across multiple industries.
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Team member
Paul Stahl Executive Director @ c21-virtualT
The 5th Epoch Series emphasises the impact of NewAge comms technologies and their transformation of selected industries and use cases, including AI, Virtualisation, Mixed Reality (AR / VR), SDN, 5G / 6G, IoT, the Metaverse, Digital Twin, Multi Earth Orbit Non-Terrestrial Network solutions.
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Guest speaker
Muhammad Shahid Bilal Pre-Sales IoT Solutions Architect @ Vodafone IoTG
With over 15 years of experience in the telecom industry, Shahid specializes in automotive connectivity, helping bridge the gap between technical solutions and business value. In his current role as a Pre-Sales IoT Solution Architect at Vodafone, he partners with leading automotive brands to design and deliver innovative vehicle connectivity solutions that enable next-generation mobility services worldwide.
c21-virtual
c21-virtual was derived from EMP, which since 2002 had organised roundtable style conferences across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, North America, South America, and Europe, more than 150 live events in total.
