How Elon Musk’s SpaceX is Expanding Its Footprint in Italy’s Telecommunications Sector

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is aiming to play a bigger role in Italy’s telecommunications, with his satellite internet service, Starlink, expanding its reach. Musk has offered to provide Italy with what he calls “the most secure and advanced connectivity.” This comes at a time when Italy is considering agreements with Starlink to bring new solutions for the country’s communications and internet needs. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also formed a close relationship with Musk, who has strong ties to U.S. politics.

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Starlink, which is part of SpaceX, is already a major player in the satellite internet world. With more than 6,700 active satellites in low Earth orbit, Starlink controls nearly two-thirds of all active satellites globally. It has over 4 million customers around the world, including 55,000 in Italy.

With Italy being the third-largest economy in the eurozone, there’s a lot of potential for Musk’s companies to make a significant impact. Here’s a closer look at what’s on the table:

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1. Secure Communications for Italy’s Government

One of the biggest projects being discussed is using Starlink’s satellite network to provide secure communication for Italy’s government, diplomats, and defense officials working in sensitive areas across the Mediterranean. This project, which could be worth up to 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) over five years, has been under discussion for several months. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani first made this public last October.

Musk’s satellite service could provide a quicker and more reliable solution compared to the EU’s IRIS2 satellite system, which aims to offer encrypted communication for EU governments and public agencies. However, IRIS2 has been delayed due to financing problems and won’t be fully operational until 2030.

2. Improving Internet Access in Rural Areas

Another area where Italy is looking at Starlink is to help improve internet access in the country’s most remote regions. State-backed companies have faced delays in rolling out fiber internet in rural areas, and Starlink could offer a faster solution. The Italian government plans to test Starlink’s service as soon as this month to see if it can be a reliable alternative for high-speed internet in these areas.

3. Starlink's Partnership with Telespazio

SpaceX is also working with Telespazio, an Italian company that is a joint venture between aerospace firms Leonardo (Italy) and Thales (France). Last June, Telespazio agreed to help commercialize Starlink’s services by integrating them into its existing network. This partnership could help Starlink grow its presence in Italy and offer more options for businesses and consumers who need fast and reliable internet.

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