The Italian government wants to buy satellite Internet services through Starlink, but Europe is anything but happy about that.
The Italian government is under pressure following reports that they are negotiating with SpaceX to purchase $1.6 billion worth of satellite Internet services through Starlink.
No completed deal (yet)
Although the government formally denies that a deal has been struck, it confirms talks with SpaceX. Starlink, which already operates commercially in Italy, would potentially be used for government purposes as well. This poses a threat to the recently approved European IRIS² project. That is a $10.5 billion satellite constellation to provide secure communications for the EU by 2030. Italy plays a key role in this, with an important site in the Abruzzo region.
In addition, cooperation is a political issue. Elon Musk is seen as an ally of the European conservative movement. There are fears that national interests will be placed above those of the EU. Thierry Breton, a former EU commissioner and driving force behind IRIS², warned that Italy’s move would jeopardize European unity and sovereignty.
With Starlink’s proven success in conflicts such as Ukraine, Europe faces a challenge: maintain autonomy or benefit from the speed and efficiency of an established player. The question remains: how does Europe maintain its own course in a time of growing geopolitical tensions?
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