We did exchange somehow about a GEO over Americas in the past on this forum. From same, my understanding is that a GEO initiative such as the AMSAT-DL - QARS - Es’Hail 2 collaboration for QO-100 is not feasible in your part of the world
and is due to the perceive fact that all American GEO projects as are purely business oriented and will not entertain a HAM transponder on their satellite. Like you I am from a telco background and have dealt with the satellite industry for years, I somehow
disagree with that “conclusion” and the only way to make it happen is to get out of our “zone of comfort” and be more proactive, as just a phone call to the right person may change things drastically.
To encourage same I can only quote the President of AMSAT Robert Bankston, KE4AL in the last AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-219. "No one has knocked on our door offering a free ride, nor have we succeeded in our numerous cold call attempts. We
need someone on the inside or even a friend of a friend, who can get us in the room. If you know someone and an opportunity, I could use your help. Until next time, thank you for supporting AMSAT. Onward & Upward!”, I guess his message is quite clear,
to make it happen we need “a friend of a friend”, the HAM community is well connect and just the right connection may change the world, this is how business works generally and that great projects are achieved.