Subj : SpaceX set to sign billion-dollar deal with Italian government fo
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Mon Jan 06 2025 10:15:04

SpaceX set to sign billion-dollar deal with Italian government for telecoms, 
security services

Date:
Mon, 06 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Description:
SpaceX could provide the Italian government with secure telecomms services in 
a deal worth $1.6 billion.

FULL STORY
======================================================================Discussi
ons with SpaceX progressed when Italys Prime Minister recently met President 
Trump A five-year contract worth $1.6 billion is on the cards for SpaceX 
However political elements of the proposal have been criticized 

The Italian Government is reportedly in negotiations to commission secure 
telecoms from SpaceX in what could be the largest project of its kind. 

A report by Bloomberg claims discussions are said to be ongoing; and if 
agreed upon, SpaceX could win a five-year contract to provide the Italian 
government with telecommunication services. 

Unnamed sources familiar with the matter stated the countrys Intelligence 
Services and Defense Ministry have already expressed approval for the deal. 
SpaceX could supply the Italian government 

The deal, believed to be worth 1.5 billion ($1.6 billion), would see SpaceX 
provide telephone and internet service encryption for the government. 

Discussions had previously been put on hold until the countrys Prime 
Minister, Giorgia Meloni, recently visited upcoming US President Donald Trump 
in Florida. 

Talks have been ongoing since mid-2023, however some have expressed concerns 
about how a deal with Musks SpaceX could be detrimental to Italian 
competition. 

Under the deal, the Italian military operating in the Mediterranean would 
also benefit from the encrypted services. Direct-to-cell satellite services 
are also on the cards, which would provide an important backup when terrorist 
attacks and natural disasters render cellular connections unusable. 

However, the relationship between Meloni, Trump and Musk has been criticized 
on a global scale. The SpaceX leaders substantial political contributions and 
alliances could give him extensive access to the White House and global 
leaders, harming both politics and market competition. 

Should such a deal go ahead, it wouldnt be the first time that Italy and the 
US have worked together, as in 2024, Telecom Italia SpA sold its landline 
network to KKR & Co, a US private equity company. 

The Italian government has explored other options, including building its own 
satellite constellation and using IRIS, a secure satellite constellation 
developed by the European Union to support European sovereignty, however 
SpaceXs costs are believed to be favorable. You might also like Weve listed 
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======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/spacex-set-to-sign-billion-dollar-deal-with-ital
ian-government-for-telecoms-security-services


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