Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has switched on the UK’s first satellite-to-mobile service in its bid to help boost phone coverage across the country.
Powered by Starlink’s Direct to Cell, the new O2 Satellite service will mean users can stay connected in areas without traditional mobile coverage, known as ‘non-spots’, often in rural or remote areas.
Originally announced in October 2025, the launch is the first in the UK and Europe and increases Virgin Media O2’s UK landmass coverage from 89% to 95% – equivalent to an area around two-thirds the size of Wales.
O2 satellite
The service uses Starlink’s low earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver connectivity directly to mobile devices using O2’s licensed mobile spectrum transmitted from space.
It will initially support not only text messaging but also mobile data across a range of popular apps including WhatsApp, Messenger, Google Maps, AccuWeather and BBC Weather – again looking to help those in remote areas, anyone traveling or even those taking part in activities such as hiking, climbing, water sports and sailing.
O2 Satellite will initially be available as a £3-per-month bolt-on, with VMO2 including it for all Ultimate Plan customers at no extra cost in the near future. However, it will initially only be able to customers with some of the latest Samsung smartphones (namely the Samsung Galaxy S25, Samsung Galaxy S25+, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge) – although VMO2 says that 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 intent to keep innovating and ensure our customers can stay connected wherever they are,” said Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2.
“By launching O2 Satellite, we have become the first operator in Europe to launch a space-based mobile data service, bringing new mobile coverage overnight to an area around two-thirds the size of Wales for the first time.
“We already have the UK’s largest 5G+ footprint and we’re not standing still, investing heavily this year in our mobile network to give O2 customers a brilliant, reliable service they can rely on.”
The news follows VodafoneThree’s recent pledge to boost UK network coverage as it wiped out a further 16,500km2 of UK “non-spots” due to its rollout of ‘Multi Operator Core Network’ (MOCN) technology across more than 8,000 sites nationwide.
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