Controversial discussion
Starlink deal between Italy and Musk is on ice
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Giorgia Meloni wants to buy a neglected communication system for Italy. The Prime Minister is also considering Starlink. But Defense Minister Crosetto sees problems with the purchase – but they do not seem to be technical in nature.
The talks between Italy and the SpaceX group of US billionaire Elon Musk about a possible billion dollar business to use the Starlink satellite system are initially on hold. Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told the Italian newspaper “La Repubblica”: “It seems to me that everything has come to a standstill.”
The discussions about a possible agreement focused too much on the person Musk, said Crosetto. “You don't talk about the technical plan.” Musk is the official consultant of US President Donald Trump and has been trying to influence politics in Europe since his election victory. For this he is massively criticized.
Crosetto described Musk as a “visionary genius” that has caused a “real revolution”, “more in space than with cars”. However, the controversial discussion should calm down again, then the conversations can be resumed on a technical level. “It's about what the nation is most useful and safest for the nation,” said Crosetto.
It's about 1.5 billion euros
Italy is negotiating with several private companies about a business in connection with the country's telecommunications security system, including SpaceX. If a deal comes about, Italy would be the first EU state to collect cooperation with the Musk company.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wants to buy a neglected communication system for government and military. One of the candidates for this is Starlink. The group operates 6700 satellites in low orbit and is one of the leading providers in this sector. Insider reported that the government in Rome has considered a five -year contract worth 1.5 billion euros with Starlink. Meloni and Musk maintain a friendly relationship. Such a business would therefore be particularly delicate. The opposition also criticizes this sharply because of possible dependencies.
