Italy seals historic $1.6bn communications deal with SpaceX
The Italian government is in advanced discussions with Elon Musk's company to secure government communications. The $1.6 billion (£1.3 billion) contract will be carried out over five years. This is the largest project of its kind in Europe and has already been approved by Italian intelligence services and the Ministry of Defence.
According to information provided to Bloomberg on Sunday by people familiar with the details, Italy is finalising negotiations with SpaceX to ensure secure communications for government institutions.
The discussions involve a contract that will be in effect for the next five years. Representatives of the Italian government emphasise that this will be the largest of its kind in Europe.
Elon Musk with a contract
According to sources involved in the negotiations, the project has already received approval from Italian intelligence and the Ministry of Defence. The contract is estimated to be worth $1.6 billion (£1.3 billion). SpaceX is to provide secure telecommunications infrastructure for the Italian public sector.
The project will be executed by Elon Musk's company Starlink, which specialises in delivering satellite internet. A final agreement on this matter has not yet been signed, and discussions are ongoing.
Italy chooses SpaceX
The Italian services reported that the contract with SpaceX is of strategic importance for the country's cybersecurity. The project is to be carried out in close collaboration with local special services, which will oversee the implementation of the system.
Information about the planned contract emerged while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was visiting Florida, where she met with former US President Donald Trump. However, the details of this visit have not been linked to the telecommunications contract negotiations.
