Italy's telecommunications association, Asstel, is advocating for a regulatory review of low-earth orbit satellite broadband operators to ensure they adhere to the same standards as traditional telecom companies.

Asstel contends that existing regulations do not adequately address the unique business model of satellite providers like Starlink, which directly compete with local telecoms by serving consumers.

The association stresses the importance of satellite operators complying with current telecom regulations regarding data security and local data storage.

The government is particularly interested in Starlink's potential role to mitigate delays in a €3.4 billion EU-funded fiber rollout project, aimed at connecting 3.5 million buildings by mid-2026.

Starlink currently operates 6,400 satellites and serves over four million customers worldwide, including approximately 50,000 users in Italy.

This push for regulation coincides with the Italian government's consideration of Starlink, a satellite service from Elon Musk's SpaceX, to improve high-speed Internet access in remote areas.

Italian telecom operators are grappling with declining revenues and intense pricing competition, which is impacting returns for investors.

Asstel's membership includes significant players such as Telecom Italia, Iliad of France, and Swisscom's Fastweb, highlighting the industry's collective concerns.