Virgin Media O2 has announced a partnership with Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite company, to improve rural mobile coverage in the UK. The service, named O2 Satellite, is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2026 and will be the first in Britain to automatically connect phones to satellites when no standard mobile signal is available.
The deal will allow Virgin Media O2 customers to use messaging and data services in remote areas for an additional monthly fee. Initially, voice and video calls will not be available, although WhatsApp voice calls may work. The service will utilise Starlink's constellation of more than 650 satellites.
Lutz Schüler, chief executive 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 £700m 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.”
The telecoms minister, Liz Lloyd, said: “This partnership demonstrates exactly how private sector innovation can deliver real benefits for people across the UK, supporting our mission to drive growth and ensure no community is left behind. Whether you’re running a farm in Cumbria or hiking in the Cairngorms, you’ll soon have the peace of mind that comes with reliable coverage.”
Starlink has already been used by households and businesses in rural areas with poor broadband access, as well as by “preppers” and fans of Musk. However, some customers have dropped their subscriptions amid frustrations with Musk's political activities. The company charges from £75 a month for a 30-day term, plus £299 for hardware, and also applies an extra “congestion charge” in high-demand areas. Starlink terminals were also rushed to Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The partnership comes amid reports that Virgin Media O2 is in talks to buy Netomnia, the UK's fourth-largest broadband network operator, in a deal that could be worth £2bn. Rival CityFibre is also reported to be interested in acquiring Netomnia.
