Virgin Media O2 just made one of its boldest moves yet—signing a multi-year partnership with Starlink Direct to Cell to bring mobile coverage to some of the most remote corners of the UK. This deal isn’t just another network upgrade — it’s a glimpse into how mobile operators and satellite constellations are converging to erase coverage blackspots once and for all.

The new service, called O2 Satellite, is set to launch in the first half of 2026, offering messaging and data coverage via low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Within a year of launch, Virgin Media O2 expects to reach over 95% of the UK landmass, automatically switching users to satellite connectivity when they leave traditional network coverage.

It’s a major step forward for rural connectivity — and a clear signal that the mobile industry’s future lies above our heads.

The First UK Operator to Go Direct-to-Device with Starlink

Virgin Media O2 becomes the first UK operator to use Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile service, which currently boasts a network of more than 650 LEO satellites capable of direct connectivity to standard mobile devices.

That’s a crucial distinction—unlike earlier satellite solutions that required special equipment, Starlink’s Direct to Cell technology leverages a slice of O2’s licensed spectrum to connect directly to smartphones, provided the device supports eSIM or similar technologies.

In other words, the days of “no signal” zones might finally be numbered.

Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2, said the move “complements our existing coverage and supports our ambition to deliver reliable mobile connectivity across the UK.” He described Starlink as “a clear leader in this space, operating the world’s most advanced satellite constellation.”

It’s a pragmatic choice—and a strategic one. Virgin Media O2 already uses Starlink’s broadband satellites to accelerate the Shared Rural Network (SRN) rollout, the joint industry-government effort to eliminate coverage gaps across rural Britain.

The Competitive Landscape: Who Else Is in the Game?

What makes this particularly interesting is the timing. EE—a long-time market leader in rural coverage—has reportedly been in talks with Starlink for more than a year, but Virgin Media O2 has beaten them to the punch.

Globally, other telecoms are already exploring similar partnerships. T-Mobile US announced a collaboration with SpaceX back in 2022, with trials expected to ramp up in 2025. KDDI in Japan and One New Zealand have also partnered with Starlink for direct-to-cell connectivity, and early tests have shown promising results.

For consumers, this means one thing: a genuine shift toward global satellite roaming. Imagine walking through the Scottish Highlands, or sailing off Cornwall and still getting a text or data signal—all without changing SIMs or fiddling with a separate satellite device.

If your phone’s unlocked and supports eSIM, O2 Satellite might even work while you’re on a competing network, depending on roaming arrangements. That could open a whole new layer of competition—one not bound by masts or postcode coverage maps.

Ofcom’s E Band Approval: The Backbone of the Future

This announcement follows Ofcom’s recent approval of Starlink’s E band licences — a regulatory green light that allows the company to operate gateway earth stations at three UK sites: Morn Hill (Hampshire), Wherstead (Suffolk), and Woodwalton (Cambridgeshire).

The E band (71–76 GHz and 81–86 GHz) is traditionally used for high-capacity terrestrial links but is now being adapted for satellite use due to its high throughput and low latency characteristics. These gateways connect Starlink’s orbiting network to the ground internet backbone, ensuring fast and stable data links.

The licenses, valid until 31 December 2028, are designed to ease capacity constraints and improve service quality across the UK. Ofcom has also introduced coordination zones of up to 25 km around each site to prevent interference with other services.

While these authorizations are temporary, Ofcom plans to consult on a permanent licensing model after WRC-27, the next global telecoms standards conference. But with the licences stretching to 2028—and with Virgin Media O2 now fully integrated into Starlink’s UK plans—it’s safe to say the direction of travel is firmly set.

Why This Partnership Matters

This partnership is bigger than just better bars on your phone screen. It’s about resilience, redundancy, and reach.

For years, the UK mobile market has been locked in incremental upgrades—faster 4G, broader 5G, and yet, still patchy coverage across vast rural areas. With LEO satellites, operators can bypass traditional infrastructure limitations altogether, offering connectivity directly from orbit.

The timing also aligns with broader European trends: the EU’s IRIS² satellite constellation and AST SpaceMobile’s ambitions to build a global space-based 5G layer both reflect the same goal—closing the digital divide with hybrid terrestrial-satellite systems.

Virgin Media O2’s collaboration with Starlink puts it at the forefront of that movement in the UK and potentially sets a benchmark for how other European operators might follow suit.

The Bigger Picture: What Comes Next

The UK’s rural connectivity problem isn’t new—but this partnership might finally make it solvable. With Starlink’s infrastructure already live and expanding, and with O2’s customer base ready to adopt, the rollout could redefine what “coverage” means in practice.

Other operators, from EE to Vodafone, will now face pressure to match or outdo this leap—whether through similar satellite deals or alternative network-sharing arrangements.

If history is any guide, this won’t just be a technological race but also a branding one. The first operator to offer seamless hybrid connectivity — where your phone quietly jumps from 5G to satellite without you noticing—will win the hearts (and contracts) of travelers, businesses, and emergency services alike.

And as Ofcom and global regulators build frameworks for this new layer of connectivity, the UK might just become one of the first true hybrid-coverage nations—where “no signal” finally becomes a phrase of the past.

Conclusion

Virgin Media O2’s partnership with Starlink is more than a network expansion—it’s a milestone in telecom evolution. It signals a move toward space-based connectivity becoming mainstream, not niche.

While EE, Vodafone, and global players like T-Mobile US explore similar paths, Virgin Media O2 has secured a valuable first-mover advantage in the UK. The question now isn’t whether satellite-to-mobile will become standard—it’s how fast others can catch up.

As LEO constellations scale, expect a new era where coverage maps turn into seamless digital blankets—powered not just by towers and fiber, but by the stars themselves.