Canada’s Telesat held preliminary talks with Italy to supply satellite tv for pc companies to make sure encrypted communications for the federal government, diplomats and protection officers working in high-risk areas, three sources near the matter mentioned on Tuesday.
Satellite tv for pc connectivity has change into a extremely delicate challenge in Italy after talks between the federal government and Elon Musk’s Starlink to supply safe programs stalled final yr, reflecting rising stress between Europe and america.
Telesat, which in response to its web site operates 11 geostationary satellites, plans to launch 150 to 200 low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites from this yr for business and navy use.
The sources, who declined to be named, mentioned Telesat representatives held preliminary discussions with the Italian authorities, however no monetary particulars had been addressed at this stage.
One of many sources mentioned the most recent talks came about this month. One other added that the federal government had not but given any suggestions on the Telesat proposal.
A spokesperson for Telesat mentioned the group was unable to supply any touch upon the matter for now.
Sources instructed Reuters final yr that Rome had thought-about a five-year, €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) cope with SpaceX’s Starlink, the dominant operator within the sector with round 7,000 lively LEO satellites.
LEO satellites function 36 instances nearer to Earth than conventional ones in order that they take much less time to ship and obtain data, main to raised and quicker broadband service even in distant areas.
