Starlink applied two years ago to Italian authorities to secure spectrum that would boost communications between its satellites and three ground stations. This previously undisclosed move highlights Starlink's determination to use its early lead over European and US rivals in the rapidly expanding satellite broadband market.
Sources familiar with the plans said Starlink requested spectrum access in the 71.0-76.0 GHz and 81.0-86.0 GHz bands, frequencies the company was granted conditional access to in the United States last year.
Italy's Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Defence, which jointly oversee these bands, have yet to provide a final answer.
Italian Industry Junior Minister Massimo Bitonci confirmed to lawmakers that Rome was taking a cautious stance, waiting for the EU to reach a unified position on managing the E-band spectrum.
“The E-band is not yet subject to harmonisation decisions. This prompts us to wait for EU-wide coordination,” Bitonci said.
Starlink currently serves around 55,000 Italian customers and is reportedly looking to expand its footprint, especially in the wealthier northern regions where demand has exceeded expectations.
Meanwhile, it may scale back its presence in southern Italy due to lower-than-anticipated uptake – presumably that is because that is where all the poorer people live.
Experts suggest granting Starlink access to E-band frequencies would significantly boost its service capacity and give it a critical first-mover advantage.
E-band is little tapped, and consequently any risk of Starlink interfering with other operators is low.
Starlink is also in negotiations with Italy to supply secure communications for government, military, and diplomatic missions abroad, as well as potentially improving internet coverage in remote areas domestically.
However, progress remains slow amid political controversy and concerns from opposition groups. The concern is that Musk will turn off Starlink if he disagrees with the politics of his customers – if it will help a political chum does not help things. In 2022, Musk declined Ukraine's request to activate Starlink services near Crimea, effectively preventing a planned attack on Russian naval vessels. He defended this decision by stating he did not want SpaceX to be complicit in escalating the conflict.