Virgin Media O2 is set to become the first UK mobile network to offer customers automatic satellite connectivity in areas with no phone signal, after striking a deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink.
The new service, O2 Satellite, will launch in the first half of 2026, giving users coverage in rural and remote regions where terrestrial masts are unavailable. The company said smartphones compatible with the technology would automatically connect to satellites when no mobile signal is detected.
While Virgin Media O2 has yet to reveal pricing, the service will be offered as an optional monthly add-on rather than a standard feature.
Initially, O2 Satellite will only support messaging, maps and location apps. Phone calls made via normal mobile networks will not work over the satellite connection, as Starlink’s current generation of satellites does not support voice. However, WhatsApp calls and other data-based communication apps may function, with O2 confirming it will run trials before the public rollout.
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