Virgin Media O2 signs landmark partnership with Starlink to boost rural UK mobile coverage
Virgin Media O2 has announced a new multi-year landmark partnership with Starlink Direct to Cell, marking a UK-first initiative to enhance rural mobile network coverage and improve customer experience.
The operator is the first in the UK to utilise Starlink’s leading position as the world’s largest and only satellite-to-mobile constellation with 650+ satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to deliver connectivity straight to devices using a portion of O2’s licensed mobile spectrum. The new product, which will be called O2 Satellite, will initially deliver messaging and data services, with further improvements and applications to follow in the future across a range of handsets. App support will grow over time, with a focus on targeting support for the most asked-for applications at launch, primarily messaging, maps and location services.
O2 Satellite, powered by Starlink’s satellite connectivity, will allow customers to use their handsets in more rural areas, from Lands End to Inverness. This will provide peace of mind and reassurance that they can stay in contact with the wider world when travelling or carrying out activities like hiking, camping or sailing in coastal areas, building on Virgin Media O2’s industry-leading Shared Rural Network rollout.
The O2 Satellite service will complement O2’s existing mobile network and work automatically in areas with no traditional mobile coverage, known as ‘not spots’, with the aim to expand Virgin Media O2’s landmass coverage in the UK to more than 95% within 12 months of launch. The operator is currently conducting internal trials of the satellite-enabled service, with customer rollout planned in early 2026.
Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2, said: “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 £700 million we are already investing in our mobile network this year. Starlink is a clear leader in this space, operating the world’s most advanced satellite constellation, which makes it the right partner to complement our existing coverage and support Virgin Media O2’s ambition to deliver reliable mobile connectivity across the UK.”
