Italy plans $1.5 billion SpaceX telecom security services deal
Italy is in advanced talks with Elon Musk’s SpaceX over a 1.5-billion-euro ($1.55 billion) deal for the company to provide secure telecommunications to the government, following PM Giorgia Meloni’s surprise visit to Florida, according to Bloomberg News.
Discussions are ongoing, and a final agreement on the five-year contract has not been reached, but the project has already been approved by Italy’s Intelligence Services and Defence Ministry, the report said, citing unnamed sources.
SpaceX and Italy’s Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment outside regular business hours.
The report said the deal involves SpaceX supplying Italy with a full range of encryption for telephone and Internet services used by the government.
It also includes communications services for Italy’s military in the Mediterranean area and the rollout of satellite services in Italy for use in emergencies such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters, it said.
The news comes after Italian PM Meloni said on Sunday, she was ready to work with Donald Trump after making a surprise visit to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
Meloni has also forged a close relationship with billionaire tech CEO Elon Musk, a close Trump ally.
Reuters reported last month that Italy plans to begin tests as early as January to see if the satellite-based connectivity offered by Musk’s Starlink is a viable solution to boosting the rollout of high-speed internet in the country.
In December, SpaceX announced the launch of 20 new Starlink satellites, completing the first orbital shell for its innovative satellite-to-cellphone internet service. In 2024, SpaceX expanded its Starlink services to over 20 additional countries, further extending its global reach. Additionally, with 6,700 active satellites now orbiting Earth, Starlink serves over four million customers across more than 100 countries.
In Italy, around 55,000 customers are currently using the service, supported by 7,000 SpaceX satellites.
