Virgin Media O2 has flipped the switch on Europe’s first commercial Starlink direct-to-cell service, bringing satellite-powered mobile data to customers across the United Kingdom for the first time.
The new offering, branded O2 Satellite, is powered by Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology and marks the first live deployment of the service anywhere in Europe. By beaming connectivity straight from low-Earth orbit satellites to standard smartphones, the operator is extending coverage well beyond the reach of traditional cell towers.
According to Virgin Media O2, the move increases its UK landmass coverage from 89% to 95% — an expansion equivalent to an area roughly two-thirds the size of Wales. In practical terms, that means customers travelling through rural valleys, coastal stretches, and other long-standing “not-spots” can now stay connected even when terrestrial 4G and 5G signals disappear.
Rather than requiring a special satellite handset, O2 Satellite works automatically on supported devices when conventional coverage drops out completely. At launch, the service is limited to select Samsung Galaxy S25 series smartphones, with broader device compatibility expected over time.
The satellite link currently supports messaging, voice, and data across a list of apps, including WhatsApp, Google Maps, X, Messenger, and several weather and safety tools. As in other markets, the service will eventually expand to include voice and video calls.
O2 Satellite is available immediately as a £3 (C$5.50) per month add-on for Pay Monthly customers, with plans to include it at no extra charge for Ultimate Plan subscribers in the near future.
