WorldSpace Satellite Radio (WSRP) announced that they've inked an OEM partnership with Fiat Group Automobiles, bringing satellite radio to Italy and marking the first steps for satellite radio in Europe.

Starting in late 2008, WorldSpace will begin broadcasting about 40-50 channels to Italy. Then in late 2009, Fiat Group will introduce WorldSpace as a factory-installed option in select Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia models. On top of that, Fiat Group will have the ability to offer portable satellite radios through its aftermarket channel.

In May of last year, WorldSpace received approval from the Italian Ministry of Communications to launch satellite radio services in Italy. WorldSpace delivers audio in the MPEG-4 aacPLUS v.2 codec, utilizing 12.5 MHz of the L-band frequency spectrum which is the only frequency band harmonized for satellite radio over Europe. In January of this year, WorldSpace signed an agreement with Telecom Italia to design and deploy a terrestrial repeater network throughout Italy.

WorldSpace's European strategy is to roll out its service on a country-by-country basis. The next target markets include France, Germany, Spain, the UK, Turkey and Poland.