First UK phones to get satellite connectivity in signal blackspots announced

Virgin Media O2 is ready to turn into the primary cellular community operator to supply UK clients automated connectivity by way of satellite tv for pc in locations with out telephone sign.

O2 Satellite tv for pc might be an non-compulsory service as a consequence of launch within the first half of 2026, following a partnership with Elon Musk’s satellite tv for pc enterprise Starlink to supply the service.

The agency has not but revealed how a lot it should value, however it will likely be a further price to pay every month.

Enabled smartphones will mechanically swap to satellite tv for pc protection in elements of the UK the place no terrestrial sign is obtainable – comparable to rural areas – however those that enroll won’t be able to make telephone calls by way of satellite tv for pc to start with.

The service will solely work with messaging, maps and site apps. O2 says it’s because Starlink’s present satellites don’t help calls, though the following era of them will.

Calls made by way of WhatsApp, which makes use of knowledge slightly than telephone sign, may fit although. O2 intends to trial this earlier than the service launches to the general public.

The satellites will successfully act like “telephone masts within the sky”, stated Luke Pearce from analyst CCS Perception.

“In in the present day’s world, connectivity is now not non-compulsory,” he stated.

“Whether or not it is emergency SOS in life-saving conditions or protecting a software-defined automobile on-line, folks now anticipate fixed entry.”

Software program-defined autos can obtain over-the-air updates to enhance their efficiency and options, however want web connections to have the ability to achieve this.

“Satellite tv for pc is the one expertise that may actually shut the protection hole throughout mountains, oceans and rural areas,” Mr Pearce added.

O2’s transfer comes a number of months after rival Vodafone carried out a profitable live video call via satellite from a mountain in Wales the place there was no different sign.

It claimed this was a UK first, however it has not but revealed any plans to roll out satellite-to-device providers to clients.

Vodafone’s tech labored with the satellite tv for pc agency AST, which presently has six satellites in orbit and goals to have as much as 60 by the tip of 2026.

Starlink, in the meantime, has greater than 650 satellites and has already launched related providers with telephone networks in different nations together with Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada and Japan.

Within the UK, Ofcom tweaked its laws in September to allow satellite tv for pc connectivity on to smartphone gadgets.

At the moment it is just doable to make use of it to textual content emergency providers from newer iPhone and Android handsets.

However the usage of low-earth orbit satellites for cellular communications has been criticised by astronomers, who say they pollute the evening sky and make it tougher to identify potential hazards comparable to asteroids.