Virgin Media O2 plans to introduce a new service called O2 Satellite, the first of its kind in the UK, which will offer automatic satellite connectivity for customers in areas without phone signals. This service, formed through a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink, is set to launch in the first half of 2026 and will incur an additional monthly fee, although the exact cost has not been disclosed.
The O2 Satellite service will be available on compatible smartphones, which will automatically switch to satellite coverage when terrestrial signals are unavailable, particularly in rural locations. However, initial offerings will not allow users to make regular phone calls via satellite; connectivity will be limited to messaging, maps, and location-based applications. Calls made via WhatsApp, which utilize data instead of traditional phone signals, may function, pending trial evaluations prior to the public rollout.
O2’s announcement follows similar developments from Vodafone, which recently conducted a live video call via satellite from a remote area in Wales. While Vodafone has demonstrated this capability, it has not yet provided details on future satellite services for its customers. Vodafone’s technology leverages a partnership with satellite firm AST, which aims to expand its fleet from six to sixty satellites by 2026. In contrast, Starlink currently operates more than 650 satellites and has already implemented satellite-based connectivity services in other countries.
Recent changes to UK regulatory frameworks by Ofcom have made it possible for satellite connectivity to extend directly to smartphones, though currently, only limited emergency service communication is available. Additionally, the increased usage of low-earth orbit satellites has drawn criticism from astronomers concerned about light pollution and its potential effects on astronomical observations.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c993m88jer9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss