**Rome**: Negotiations for a €1.5 billion satellite internet contract between Italy and Starlink have stalled, as Defence Minister Guido Crosetto highlights geopolitical tensions and critiques from opposition. The Italian government aims to enhance secure communications for officials operating in high-risk environments.
Negotiations between Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, Starlink, and the Italian government have reportedly come to a standstill, according to remarks made by Italy’s Defence Minister, Guido Crosetto. This impasse emerges amidst a backdrop of broader geopolitical tensions.
The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is seeking to establish secure communications channels for government officials, diplomats, and defence personnel who operate in high-risk areas. Starlink, which boasts a constellation of approximately 6,700 active low-orbit satellites, has been identified as a key contender for supplying this critical system.
Crosetto commented on the situation during an interview with La Repubblica, stating, “It seems to me that everything has come to a standstill.” He attributed the delay in negotiations, which had initially focused on technical details, to the emergence of public statements regarding Musk himself.
The Italian government is reportedly considering a five-year contract with Starlink valued at around 1.5 billion euros (approximately $1.62 billion). However, this potential agreement has incited criticism from opposition politicians, who express concerns over the implications of awarding a national security contract to a foreign entity closely associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Addressing the controversy, Crosetto reassured that once the current tensions subside, discussions would revert to technical specifications. He emphasised that the primary consideration should be “what is most useful and safe for the nation.”
Starlink has been operational in Italy since 2021, offering satellite internet services across the country, which has become increasingly important in the context of ongoing technological advancements and national security concerns.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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