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Virgin Media O2 Launches Europe’s First Starlink Direct-to-Phone Service

Ofcom’s green light enables O2 to offer a Starlink-powered fallback for rural not-spots.

Overview

  • The O2 Satellite add-on is live for UK pay-monthly customers at £3 per month, with inclusion for Ultimate Plan users expected at no extra cost in the near future.
  • At launch the service works only on Samsung’s Galaxy S25 range, switching automatically to satellite when no terrestrial signal is available.
  • Coverage rises from 89% to 95% of UK landmass through Starlink Direct to Cell, which O2 equates to adding an area about two-thirds the size of Wales.
  • Connectivity is geared to essential use with a limited app set that includes WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Maps and X, and performance depends on a clear view of the sky.
  • The rollout follows Ofcom’s spectrum approvals that permit direct-to-device services and places O2 ahead of rivals pursuing similar offerings, including Vodafone’s planned AST SpaceMobile launch and T-Mobile’s U.S. service.