- Virgin Media O2 and Starlink team up to tackle mobile blackspots
- New O2 Satellite service seeks to improve coverage
- Will use Starlink network of 650 LEO satellites to provide connectivity
Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) is working with Elon Musk’s Starlink to eliminate mobile coverage blackspots across the UK.
The two companies will work together in a new partnership that will strengthen VMO2’s mobile coverage using Starlink satellite technology, with a new service offering enhanced connectivity for rural users.
The new O2 Satellite product will offer data and messaging services to people living in remote areas, with plans to expand in the future as VMO2 looks to expand its coverage.
Satellite O2
The partnership will see VMO2 work with Starlink Direct to Cell, a “constellation” of more than 650 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) providing voice, data and messaging to approximately 7 million customers worldwide.
VMO2 hopes this launch will help it achieve its goal of expanding UK territory coverage to over 95% within 12 months of launch.
“This first partnership in the UK is another example of Virgin Media O2 innovating to deliver 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,” said Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2.
“Starlink is a clear leader in this space, operating the world’s most advanced satellite constellation, making it the ideal partner to complement our existing coverage and support Virgin Media O2’s ambition to provide reliable mobile connectivity across the UK.” »
VMO2 had previously worked with Starlink, announcing in 2024 that it would use the latter’s technology to improve mobile backhaul as part of its Shared Rural Network (SRN) rollout.
The company says it is currently conducting internal trials of the new service, with customer deployment planned for early 2026.
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