Starlink’s expansion plan in Italy, which included a potential €1.5 billion contract for secure government communications, has been halted as of March 24, 2025, due to a mix of factors stemming from Elon Musk’s controversial public image.
Launched in Italy in 2021, the Starlink service aimed to provide secure connectivity for diplomatic and defense purposes, with tests already conducted in embassies in Burkina Faso, Bangladesh, Lebanon, and Iran.
However, negotiations stalled following Musk’s controversial statements such as threats to shut down Starlink in Ukraine and his close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump shifting the focus from technical feasibility to political reliability, as noted by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in an interview with La Repubblica on March 22, 2025.
While not explicitly linked to “hate ending,” public and political skepticism toward Musk in Europe, fueled by his erratic X posts and perceived U.S.-centric influence, has created complications for Italy in trusting SpaceX for its national security needs.
Despite the technical appeal of Starlink’s network of over 7,000 satellites, Italy is now reassessing its options, weighing Musk’s controversies against the lack of immediate European alternatives, leaving the deal in limbo until tensions subside or alternative solutions emerge.