Local and EU legislators have warned that the Italian government’s acceptance of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communication system would be a “political and economic mistake.” This criticism emerged after the government insisted on its decision and Musk entered the discussions.
If the agreement is signed, Italy will become the first EU country to officially establish a relationship with SpaceX. However, this raises questions about the country’s alignment with Europe’s strategic priorities, including the deployment of the EU’s Starlink-like “IRIS2” system.
The communications deal has now become a talking point in Italian politics. MPs such as Antonio Nicita of the Democratic Party told Euractiv that the deal is politically rather than economically motivated. According to Nicita, Musk may be trying to outdo the IRIS2 system by securing a large EU member state as a customer, which could jeopardize its financial sustainability.
IRIS2, a multi-orbit satellite internet constellation, aims to gradually provide secure connectivity from 2025 to 2030 and reduce dependence on non-European systems. According to the Italian MEP, the Italian government’s deal with Starlink raises antitrust concerns, as an exclusive contract between the Italian government and Starlink could lead to market seizure or blocking.
What about Europe’s own satellite communications system, IRIS2?
According to Bloomberg, the five-year deal will cost €1.5 billion. However, Italy is already a financier and future customer of the EU’s IRIS2 program, which is 12 years old and costs all 27 EU member states €10.6 billion. Nicita warned that the entire IRIS2 program would become less reliable and economically viable if a dominant competitor locked up most of the demand by signing medium-term contracts with other EU governments.
MEP and former IRIS2 rapporteur Christophe Grudler told Euractiv that a deal with Italy would be a “strategic mistake,” with Italian taxpayers paying twice for two systems. Grudler also noted that from 2025, the EU’s GovSatCom program will provide most of the services Italy is trying to access through the Starlink deal. He warned that Musk’s venture would displace Italian industry and cost jobs, sovereignty, and strategic autonomy.
Salvini’s support for the deal and Musk
On the other hand, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Lega leader Matteo Salvini wrote on X that the deal is an opportunity, not a risk. Salvini argued that access to Starlink services would modernize Italy by providing secure and reliable connectivity across the country. He described the SpaceX CEO as “one of the leading figures in global innovation.”
Musk responded to Salvini, calling the prospect “fantastic” and saying he thought other European countries would follow in Italy’s footsteps. A European Commission spokesperson said on 7 January that Italy, as a sovereign state, has full discretion to pursue its sovereign decisions and actions, explaining that access to SpaceX services is compatible with the IRIS2 project. The spokesperson added that Italy’s participation in IRIS2 also means that the upcoming constellation is expected to host three control centers.
