Press Launch
Virgin Media O2 has immediately switched on O2 Satellite tv for pc, a brand new satellite-to-mobile service powered by Starlink Direct to Cell, marking a serious step ahead in extending cell connectivity throughout the UK.
This makes Virgin Media O2 the primary operator within the UK and Europe to launch satellite tv for pc powered information companies, enabling prospects to remain related in areas with no conventional cell protection, often called ‘not-spots’.
The service boosts Virgin Media O2’s UK landmass protection from 89% to 95%, delivering a protection uplift equal to an space round two thirds the scale of Wales.
O2 Satellite tv for pc has been designed to enrich O2’s current cell community and prospects will join robotically when conventional mobile protection is unavailable. It will assist folks keep related when travelling or participating in actions comparable to climbing, climbing, water sports activities and crusing, providing better peace of thoughts in rural, coastal and different distant places.
In addition to extending protection into not-spots, O2 Satellite tv for pc supplies extra resilience and acts as a back-up, serving to prospects retain connectivity within the uncommon occasion of an area mobile community outage the place protection is totally unavailable.
At launch, O2 Satellite tv for pc helps textual content messaging and information throughout apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, Google Maps and extra, offering an extra layer of reassurance when prospects transfer past terrestrial cell networks. The service is initially accessible to prospects with the most recent Samsung smartphones*, with assist for different units, producers and apps to be launched quickly.
The service is the results of a UK-first partnership with SpaceX, utilizing Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellites to ship connectivity direct to cell units utilizing O2’s licensed cell spectrum transmitted from house.
The launch of O2 Satellite tv for pc follows profitable inner trials, with Virgin Media O2 staff already utilizing the expertise in real-world situations throughout the nation.
At launch, O2 Satellite tv for pc is out there as a £3-per-month bolt-on and will likely be included at no additional price for all Final Plan prospects within the close to future, benefiting tens of 1000’s of shoppers.
Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2, mentioned: “It is a defining second for UK cell connectivity and a assertion of our intent to maintain innovating and guarantee our prospects can keep related irrespective of the place they’re. By launching O2 Satellite tv for pc, we’ve turn into the primary operator in Europe to launch a space-based cell information service that, in a single day, has introduced new cell protection to an space round two thirds the scale of Wales for the primary time.
“We have already got the UK’s largest 5G+ footprint and we’re not standing nonetheless, investing closely this yr in our cell community to present O2 prospects an excellent, dependable service that they’ll depend upon.”
Baroness Lloyd, Minister for the Digital Economic system, mentioned: “It is a main achievement for the UK and demonstrates management in next-generation connectivity. Being the primary in Europe to launch direct-to-device satellite tv for pc information companies places the UK firmly on the forefront of cell innovation. O2 Satellite tv for pc is a lift for progress and connectivity and a powerful sign of the UK’s management within the international digital economic system.”
Stephanie Bednarek, VP of Starlink Business Gross sales mentioned: “Delivering Starlink Direct to Cell in partnership with Virgin Media O2 underscores the significance of retaining folks related irrespective of the place they’re. For the primary time, tens of millions of individuals throughout the UK can have entry to information, voice and video via apps, and messaging in distant areas the place terrestrial protection isn’t accessible.”
The swap on of O2 Satellite tv for pc follows Ofcom’s current approval of the UK’s first licence for satellite-to-smartphone companies.
O2 was not too long ago recognised as essentially the most improved cell community throughout Europe in Umlaut Join’s Cellular Community Check, an unbiased and complete benchmarking report. It was additionally awarded Finest Cellular Community Protection on the Uswitch Telecoms Awards for the second yr in a row, which recognised the size, attain and reliability of O2’s cell community. In its full yr 2025 monetary outcomes, Virgin Media O2 reported that its 5G Standalone community now reaches 87% of the UK outside inhabitants – the biggest 5G Standalone footprint in the nation.
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