O2 has become the first UK network to switch on satellite-powered mobile data in a bid to end dreaded signal “not-spots”.
The service will take the provider’s UK landmass coverage from 89 per cent to 95 per cent, keeping customers connected in areas that were previously plagued by no signal at all.
It will only be compatible on certain Samsung smartphones and apps to begin with, including WhatsApp, Google Maps and X.
O2 is making it available as a £3 per month Bolt On for all O2 Pay Monthly customers.
But anyone with an Ultimate Plan will receive it at no extra cost “soon”.
For those who take it up, the satellite service will automatically kick into action in places where normal cellular coverage isn’t available – so there’s no need to download an app or make any changes to how you use your phone.
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“This is a huge step forward for mobile connectivity in the UK,” said Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2.
“O2 Satellite means our customers can stay connected in places where phones have never worked before, giving them reassurance whether they are exploring the countryside, travelling along the coast or simply moving beyond traditional coverage.”
The network announced last October that it had penned a deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink internet satellite giant.
Starlink is the world’s biggest satellite internet constellation with more than 650 satellites in low-Earth orbit for mobile.
The firm has already worked with networks in other countries like Australia and the US.
At launch, O2 Satellite will be available on the Samsung Galaxy S25, Samsung Galaxy S25+, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, with plans to add more in future.
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It’ll also only work on selected apps initially, which are:
- AccuWeather
- AllTrails
- BBC Weather
- Facebook Messenger
- Google Find Hub
- Google Maps
- Google Messages
- Google Personal Safety
- Samsung Weather
- X
- Yahoo Mail
O2 said WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger can be used to not only send messages via satellite, but also make calls.