VMO2 Partners with Starlink to Launch ‘O2 Satellite’ Promising 95% UK Coverage
Virgin Media O2 has signed a landmark multi-year partnership with Starlink Direct to Cell, becoming the first UK mobile operator to integrate Starlink’s satellite-to-device (D2D) technology directly into its network.
The new service, O2 Satellite, will extend mobile coverage to rural and remote “not spots” across the UK using Starlink’s growing constellation of 650+ Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Initially launching in early 2026, O2 Satellite will support messaging and data services on standard smartphones, with app support for maps, messaging and location services expanding over time.
The service operates seamlessly with O2’s terrestrial network, automatically connecting users via satellite when they move beyond cellular coverage. Virgin Media O2 expects to achieve over 95% landmass coverage within 12 months of launch, with further gains as next-generation Starlink satellites are deployed.
The partnership points to an accelerating adoption of Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technologies in the UK and positions Virgin Media O2 as the first to bridge terrestrial and space-based mobile networks.