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Italy is set to launch pilot tests in January to evaluate the feasibility of using Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite-based internet service to accelerate its high-speed broadband rollout. The initiative, driven by concerns over meeting European Union-funded Recovery Plan targets, is part of a broader effort to bridge connectivity gaps, particularly in rural areas, sources familiar with the matter revealed.
Under the plan, the government will assess whether combining satellite-based systems like Starlink with traditional fibre-optic networks can meet the performance standards required by the EU’s internet targets. Results from the pilot tests are expected by March.
Italy’s state-backed fibre-optic firms, Open Fiber and FiberCop, have so far connected only one-third of the 3.4 million buildings targeted under the €3.4 billion broadband project, which has a completion deadline of June 2026. A significant hurdle remains in providing connectivity to around 450,000 buildings located in remote areas.
Starlink, a division of Musk’s SpaceX, has 6,700 active satellites orbiting the Earth, serving over four million customers, including 55,000 in Italy. Cabinet Undersecretary Alessio Butti has proposed incorporating satellite solutions into the high-speed internet rollout to address coverage challenges.
One potential approach involves deploying Starlink community gateways in remote areas to provide wholesale capacity. Fibre-optic operators would then only need to install the “last mile” of fibre to individual homes, potentially saving time and resources.
Italy’s broadband plan aims to guarantee 1 gigabit per second download speeds during peak hours, a benchmark that Starlink failed to meet when the coverage plan was designed in 2021. The upcoming tests will determine whether the technology can now serve as a viable backup solution.
The inclusion of Musk’s Starlink in the broadband rollout has sparked criticism from opposition parties, who cite concerns about putting Italy’s cybersecurity in the hands of a non-EU entity. Antonio Nicita of the Democratic Party (PD) has proposed legislation to block Musk’s involvement, arguing that companies controlling online platforms like X (formerly Twitter) should not provide wholesale or retail connectivity services in Italy.
As the clock ticks toward the EU’s 2026 deadline, Italy’s government faces mounting pressure to explore innovative solutions to meet its broadband targets. The success of the pilot tests could shape the future of Italy’s internet infrastructure, balancing technological feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and national security concerns.
Melissa Enoch
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