Italy has paused its negotiations with Elon Musk’s Starlink over a potential deal to provide encrypted satellite communications for the Italian government. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto cited geopolitical tensions and controversial remarks related to Musk as reasons for the stall. Despite Starlink’s leading role in satellite technology, Italian opposition parties raised concerns about relying on a foreign businessman for national security infrastructure. Talks are expected to resume at a technical level once tensions ease. Meanwhile, Musk’s representative in Italy, Andrea Stroppa, stated Starlink could still serve as a short-term solution for the country’s satellite needs.
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