Fastweb brings space-based 4G to the country’s remote areas, agreement with Starlink

The lack of cellular signal in the most isolated areas of the Italian territory could soon become a memory. Fastweb has in fact announced a collaboration with Starlink to bring mobile connectivity to places not reached by traditional infrastructures.

This agreement will launch a testing phase focused on the use of the satellite technology to provide direct 4G coverage to smartphones.

4G will come from space thanks to Fastweb and Starlink

The initiative unites the operator’s terrestrial network with the low-Earth orbit constellation of the aerospace company, promising continuous access to basic digital services even in the mountains or along the more remote coastlines.

The testing phase will begin in an area of the central Italy Apennine ridge and represents the first ever test on the national territory regarding the technology “Direct to Cell”.

This system allows normal 4G smartphones to communicate directly with Starlink satellites, completely avoiding the need to rely on traditional terrestrial antennas.

The satellites, positioned in a low orbit at about 360 km altitude, behave exactly like floating cellular repeaters in space. Thanks to the use of advanced phased-array antennas and laser links between the various satellites, Starlink’s infrastructure is able to operate continuously, behaving similarly to a normal partner for international roaming.

The main advantage for end users lies in the complete seamlessness of the handover between the terrestrial network and the satellite network. When the smartphone stops detecting the signal from Fastweb’s antennas, the connection is automatically transferred to the satellite.

This transition occurs without any interruption to data navigation or message sending and, above all, does not require any manual intervention from the device owner. Once connected to the space network, customers will be able to continue using everyday apps like Google Maps and WhatsApp, as well as exchange SMS and MMS.

“Starlink Mobile is transforming the way customers are connected with reliable coverage in remote areas where terrestrial cell signals do not reach“, says Stephanie Bednarek, Vice President of Commercial Sales at SpaceX. “We are very excited about the partnership with Fastweb in developing this satellite service for mobile, which will enhance the customer experience by allowing voice, video and messaging via apps, as well as text messages“.

A new setup for Italian telecommunications

This technological project sits within the broader context of the recent merger between Fastweb and Vodafone Italy, which became operational starting January 1, 2026 under the single name Fastweb S.p.A.. The corporate entity manages over twenty million mobile lines and boasts an infrastructure of 25,000 radio-mobile sites, guaranteeing 5G coverage to 89% of the population.

Marco Raimondi, Head of B2C Products, has emphasized that the company’s aim is to contribute to the digitization of Italy through an integrated approach to provide cutting-edge mobile connectivity solutions.

Joining the Italian operator is Starlink Mobile, which currently manages the world’s largest low Earth orbit satellite constellation, boasting 650 satellites already launched to offer voice and data services.

This agreement therefore unites the leading Italian infrastructure operator with the world’s largest provider of satellite-based 4G coverage, laying the foundations for a capillary extension of connectivity across the entire territory.