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O2 Satellite is launched using Starlink Direct to Cell, expanding UK coverage and allowing satellite connectivity in remote areas.
Virgin Media O2, a telecommunication company, has announced the launch of O2 Satellite, a new service that allows mobile phones to connect to satellites whenever traditional network coverage is not available. O2 Satellite uses Starlink Direct to Cell technology, which provides connectivity to various regions of the United Kingdom, including rural and remote regions.
With this new launch, Virgin Media O2 becomes the first mobile phone company in the UK and Europe to provide satellite-powered mobile data services to smartphones. O2 Satellite helps resolve connectivity issues that are referred to as 'not-spots,' increasing its land coverage from 89% to 95%. This implies that the company can now cover an additional area that is equal to two-thirds of Wales. O2 Satellite was developed in partnership with SpaceX, which uses low-earth-orbit satellites that provide connectivity to mobile devices using O2’s licensed spectrum. O2 Satellite allows users to automatically connect to the satellite network, this allows the users to send texts and access data connectivity in remote regions.
Customers can send messages and use apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Google Maps. This makes the users stay connected even while going for a hike, traveling, or exploring rural and coastal areas. Currently, O2 Satellite works with the latest Samsung smartphones, with more devices and manufacturers set to follow. O2 Satellite can be added as a £3-per-month bolt-on, or customers can look forward to it being included as part of O2’s Ultimate Plan soon.
O2 Satellite was given the green light by Ofcom, which recently awarded the first license for satellite-to-smartphone technology in the UK. According to experts, O2 Satellite’s launch represents a major milestone in direct-to-device satellite technology for mobile networks, reflecting the increasing significance of satellite-based mobile network coverage extension in the global telecoms sector.
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