Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has activated the UK’s first satellite-to-mobile service as it looks to help boost phone coverage across the country.
Powered by Starlink’s Direct to Cell, the new O2 Satellite service will allow users to stay connected in areas without traditional mobile coverage, known as “non-spots”, often in rural or remote areas.
Initially announced in October 2025, the launch is the first in the UK and Europe, and increases Virgin Media O2’s terrestrial coverage in the UK from 89% to 95%, equivalent to an area approximately two-thirds the size of Wales.
O2 Satellite
The service uses Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide direct connectivity to mobile devices using O2’s licensed mobile spectrum beamed from space.
It will initially support not only text messaging, but also mobile data through a number of popular apps including WhatsApp, Messenger, Google Maps, AccuWeather and BBC Weather, again seeking to help those in remote areas, anyone traveling or even those involved in activities such as hiking, climbing, water sports and boating.
O2 Satellite will initially be available as a £3 per month add-on, with VMO2 including it for all Ultimate Plan customers at no extra cost in the near future. However, it will initially only be available to customers with some of the latest Samsung smartphones (i.e. Samsung Galaxy S25, Samsung Galaxy S25+, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge), although VMO2 says support for other devices, manufacturers and apps will be introduced soon.
“This is a defining moment for UK mobile connectivity and a statement of our intention to continue to innovate and ensure our customers can stay connected no matter where they are,” said Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2.
“With the launch of O2 Satellite, we have become the first operator in Europe to launch a space-based mobile data service which, overnight, has brought new mobile coverage to an area around two-thirds the size of Wales for the first time.
“We already have the largest 5G+ footprint in the UK and we won’t stand still, investing heavily this year in our mobile network to provide O2 customers with a brilliant, reliable service they can rely on.”
The news follows VodafoneThree’s recent commitment to increase UK network coverage as it removed a further 16,500 km2 of ‘non-points’ from the UK due to its rollout of ‘Multi Operator Core Network’ (MOCN) technology at more than 8,000 sites across the country.
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