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Italy aims to meet its 2026 gigabit-speed target with Starlink’s help

Italy is gearing up to pilot Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network as part of its strategy to improve internet access in remote and underserved areas. Alessio Butti, Undersecretary to the Prime Minister’s Office, confirmed discussions with regional administrations about leveraging space-based services to complement existing broadband infrastructure. The initiative aims to bridge digital gaps where fiber rollout projects have fallen behind, ensuring no area is left without reliable internet access.

Partnership with Starlink and Other Providers

In an interview with Il Sole 24 Ore ahead of a Group of Seven (G7) technology summit on Lake Como, Butti stated that the Italian government is exploring collaborations with Starlink and other satellite providers. “We’re assessing with Starlink and other players the possibility of complementing existing infrastructure with satellites for the most remote areas,” he said. Butti emphasized that the government is currently consulting with regions across the country, including areas in the north, center, and south, to test a “space-based service” where terrestrial infrastructure is lacking.

The focus on satellite technology comes as Italy looks for alternatives to compensate for delays in fiber optic deployments, which have slowed the country’s broadband expansion efforts.

Targeting Gigabit Internet by 2026

The satellite pilot aligns with Italy’s broader digital infrastructure strategy under its "Italy at 1 Giga" scheme, a crucial part of the post-pandemic recovery plan. The project aims to ensure that homes and businesses nationwide can access internet speeds of at least 1 Gigabit per second by 2026. The government sees this objective as essential to fulfilling its commitments under the European Union's recovery and resilience framework, emphasizing the importance of timely execution.

“Our commitments under the post-pandemic recovery plan include ensuring that every household and business can access at least 1 Gbps internet speeds,” Butti said, underscoring the urgency of the project.

Addressing Infrastructure Gaps

The use of satellite technology could help Italy overcome significant hurdles in expanding high-speed broadband to mountainous and rural regions, where building fiber networks is costly and time-consuming. Satellite-based services like Starlink offer a quicker deployment alternative, ensuring connectivity in areas that terrestrial providers struggle to reach.

Starlink, which has rapidly expanded across several countries, provides high-speed, low-latency internet using a network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Its ability to deliver reliable service in hard-to-reach locations makes it a valuable asset in national infrastructure strategies like Italy’s.

Broader Implications and Next Steps

Italy’s collaboration with Starlink is part of a growing trend among countries leveraging satellite networks to complement terrestrial internet infrastructure. The government’s proactive approach could set a precedent for other European nations facing similar connectivity challenges.

As discussions with Starlink and regional administrations continue, Italy will likely gather feedback from the pilot tests before rolling out satellite services more broadly. Success in this initiative could accelerate the achievement of the “Italy at 1 Giga” target, ensuring even the most remote regions are part of the country’s digital transformation.

With the clock ticking toward the 2026 deadline, Italy’s adoption of satellite internet technologies may prove essential in its effort to provide fast, reliable internet for all. This partnership with Starlink could play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide and meeting the country’s long-term connectivity goals.