Virgin Media O2 Partner with Starlink to Provide Satellite Service in Rural Phone Signal Blackspots
Virgin Media O2 is set to become the first UK mobile network operator to offer satellite-based connectivity, addressing a long-standing issue of coverage blackspots in rural areas. In an exciting move, the company has announced a partnership with Elon Musk's Starlink, the satellite company known for its massive constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
The new service, called O2 Satellite, is expected to launch in the first half of 2026, and is part of Virgin Media O2’s broader effort to tackle mobile coverage gaps, particularly in rural areas where traditional masts have struggled to reach. The company aims to extend coverage to more than 95% of the UK landmass within a year of the service's rollout.
O2 Satellite will be an optional service, meaning customers can choose whether to sign up for the satellite-powered coverage for an additional monthly fee. The new service will initially allow customers to use messaging, maps, and location apps in places with no terrestrial signal. However, voice and video calls won't be available at launch due to limitations in Starlink’s current satellite technology. Calls using apps like WhatsApp, which rely on data instead of traditional phone signals, may still work, pending trials.
Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2, described the partnership as a significant milestone for the company: "This UK-first partnership is another example of Virgin Media O2 innovating to provide a better experience and peace of mind for our customers on top of the £700m we are already investing in our mobile network this year." He added that Starlink's expansive satellite network, which includes over 650 satellites, was the ideal solution for reaching underserved areas across the UK.
The move comes months after rival Vodafone demonstrated a satellite-enabled live video call in remote parts of the UK, although it has not yet announced plans to offer similar services to customers. Starlink, with its global network of satellites, already provides satellite connectivity to mobile users in other countries, including the US, Canada, and Australia.
The government has also welcomed the partnership, with Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd praising how private-sector innovation can benefit rural communities. "Whether you’re running a farm in Cumbria or hiking in the Cairngorms, you’ll soon have the peace of mind that comes with reliable coverage," she said.
However, not everyone is thrilled with the rise of satellite-based mobile services. Some astronomers have raised concerns about the environmental impact of Starlink’s vast constellation of satellites, expressing concern over its potential to pollute the night sky and interfere with astronomical observations.
Despite this, Virgin Media O2’s latest move marks an important step toward bridging the connectivity gap across the UK, ensuring that rural residents, travelers, and even businesses in hard-to-reach areas will soon have access to services that were once reserved for more urbanized regions.
