Press Launch
Virgin Media O2 has as we speak 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 providers, enabling prospects to remain linked in areas with no conventional cell protection, generally known as ‘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 dimensions of Wales.
O2 Satellite tv for pc has been designed to enhance O2’s present cell community and prospects will join routinely when conventional mobile protection is unavailable. This may assist folks keep linked when travelling or collaborating in actions akin to mountaineering, climbing, water sports activities and crusing, providing better peace of thoughts in rural, coastal and different distant areas.
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 further layer of reassurance when prospects transfer past terrestrial cell networks. The service is initially out there to prospects with the most recent Samsung smartphones*, with help 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 area.
The launch of O2 Satellite tv for pc follows profitable inner trials, with Virgin Media O2 workers already utilizing the know-how in real-world situations throughout the nation.
At launch, O2 Satellite tv for pc is offered as a £3-per-month bolt-on and will likely be included at no further price for all Final Plan prospects within the close to future, benefiting tens of hundreds of customers.
Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2, stated: “It is a defining second for UK cell connectivity and a assertion of our intent to maintain innovating and guarantee our prospects can keep linked regardless of the place they’re. By launching O2 Satellite tv for pc, we’ve develop 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 dimensions 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 12 months in our cell community to provide O2 prospects a superb, dependable service that they will rely upon.”
Baroness Lloyd, Minister for the Digital Financial system, stated: “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 providers places the UK firmly on the forefront of cell innovation. O2 Satellite tv for pc is a lift for progress and connectivity and a robust sign of the UK’s management within the world digital financial system.”
Stephanie Bednarek, VP of Starlink Industrial Gross sales stated: “Delivering Starlink Direct to Cell in partnership with Virgin Media O2 underscores the significance of conserving folks linked regardless of the place they’re. For the primary time, thousands and thousands of individuals throughout the UK may have entry to information, voice and video by means of apps, and messaging in distant areas the place terrestrial protection isn’t out there.”
The swap on of O2 Satellite tv for pc follows Ofcom’s latest approval of the UK’s first licence for satellite-to-smartphone providers.
O2 was just lately recognised as probably the most improved cell community throughout Europe in Umlaut Join’s Cell Community Check, an impartial and complete benchmarking report. It was additionally awarded Finest Cell Community Protection on the Uswitch Telecoms Awards for the second 12 months in a row, which recognised the dimensions, attain and reliability of O2’s cell community. In its full 12 months 2025 monetary outcomes, Virgin Media O2 reported that its 5G Standalone community now reaches 87% of the UK outside inhabitants – the most important 5G Standalone footprint in the nation.
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