Photo: Virgin Media O2

British telecommunications company Virgin Media O2 is working with Starlink to offer direct-to-cell services to its customers in a new offering called O2 Satellite. 

Under the deal announced Thursday, O2 Satellite will use O2’s licensed mobile spectrum and Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell constellation to provide services to customers in areas without mobile coverage. The service will initially offer messaging and data services and later expand to certain applications. 

The telco is currently conducting internal trials of the satellite-enabled service, with customer rollout planned in early 2026. It has not released details on the pricing at this point. 

This is Starlink’s first Direct-to-Cell deal in the United Kingdom. Virgin Media O2 also works with Starlink to provide mobile backhaul in remote locations using its broadband constellation. 

“This UK-first partnership is another example of Virgin Media O2 innovating to provide a better experience and peace of mind for our customers,” Virgin Media O2 CEO Lutz Schüler commented. “Starlink is a clear leader in this space, operating the world’s most advanced satellite constellation, which makes it the right partner to complement our existing coverage and support Virgin Media O2’s ambition to deliver reliable mobile connectivity across the U.K.”

Starlink works with a number of telcos around the world to offer direct-to-cell service in their respective countries including T-Mobile in the U.S.; KDDI in Japan; Entel in Chile and Peru; Salt in Switzerland; Rogers in Canada; and Kyivstar in Ukraine.