Exclusive-Starlink has asked Italy for access to more spectrum, sources say

By Elvira Pollina and Giuseppe Fonte

MILAN (Reuters) - Elon Musk's space-based internet operator Starlink is trying to acquire more spectrum in Italy, two sources told Reuters, as Rome says it is waiting for the European Union to reach a common stance on the matter.

Starlink applied to the Italian authorities for access to E-band spectrum to boost communications between its three ground stations in Italy and its satellite network two years ago, the two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The application has not previously been reported.

The request for access to E-band frequencies in Italy signals the satellite broadband company's push to capitalise on its first-mover role in the low-orbit space-based telecommunications sector against lagging European and U.S. rivals.

Starlink, which is part of Musk's SpaceX space company, has been offering its service in Italy since 2021. It operates a network of thousands of low-orbit satellites and is emerging as a dominant force in the sector globally.

One of the people said Starlink had applied for access to frequencies in the 71.0-76.0 gigahertz and 81.0-86.0 GHz bands, to which the satellite broadband operator was granted conditional access in the United States last year.

The E-band spectrum is managed by Italy's minister of industry and minister of defence. The latter must authorise the use of some of the frequencies.

But no final response had been given so far, the sources said.

Addressing lawmakers on satellite spectrum policy on Wednesday, Industry Junior Minister Massimo Bitonci said Rome was taking a cautious approach to E-band in the absence of a common stance on the issue at European Union level.

"The E-band is not yet subject to harmonisation decisions ... This prompts us to wait for EU-wide coordination," Bitonci added, without mentioning Starlink's request nor indicating when such coordination could happen.

Italy's defence minister and SpaceX did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

ACCESS TO OTHER MARKETS?

As of January, Starlink had about 55,000 customers in Italy out of a population of nearly 60 million.

"E-band is little tapped, and consequently any risk of Starlink interfering with other operators is low", said Antonio Sassano, a former engineering professor at La Sapienza University who served as an adviser to Italian governments and the communications authority.

"Having access to those frequencies would increase Starlink capacity to serve more customers and would also give Starlink a potential first mover advantage, because any newcomer would have to coordinate with Starlink to offer its service", Sassano told Reuters.

Starlink is considering deploying an additional ground station in northern Italy to meet higher-than-expected demand for its service in the wealthiest areas of Italy, the first person said.

This source added that Starlink is also reviewing whether to reduce the number of its stations in southern Italy, where demand was below its initial expectations.

Musk, now also an adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, has a friendly relationship with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Italy is in talks with Starlink to provide a secure communications system for diplomats, military and government officials operating in risky areas across the globe.

It is also considering the use of Starlink's satellite network to boost Internet penetration in remote and underserved areas of the country.

Both projects, however, are progressing slowly amid criticism from opposition parties.

(Additional reporting by Angelo Amante in Rome, and Joey Roulette in Washington, editing by Giselda Vagnoni, Kirsten Donovan)