Italian railway company to potentially test Musk's Starlink satellite internet service.

Italian railway company to potentially test Musk's Starlink satellite internet service.

Italian railway company, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS), is considering a pilot test of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service, according to recent reports. This move comes as part of the company's broader strategy to enhance digital connectivity and improve operational efficiency across its extensive network.

The potential adoption of Starlink by FS follows the successful launch of the service in Bangladesh, where it offers high-speed, low-latency internet with no data caps or speed limits. The service, operated by SpaceX, has been authorized by the interim government in Bangladesh, providing a sustainable alternative for premium customers [1].

The two residential packages available in Bangladesh, Starlink Residence and Residence Lite, come with monthly fees of Tk6,000 and Tk4,200 respectively, along with a one-time setup fee of Tk47,000. Both packages offer unlimited data usage and speeds up to 300 Mbps [1].

FS's interest in Starlink is driven by the need to provide reliable internet connectivity in remote and underserved areas, where traditional infrastructure may be lacking. This could significantly benefit the company's operations, particularly in maintaining real-time communication and data transfer between stations and control centers.

The pilot test, if approved, will likely involve a small-scale implementation to assess the feasibility and performance of Starlink in an Italian context. The results of this test will be crucial in determining whether a broader adoption of the service is viable for FS.

References:
[1] https://www.newsx.com/world/starlink-officially-launches-in-bangladesh-offering-high-speed-satellite-internet/