{"id":233788,"date":"2025-10-30T10:09:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T10:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/233788\/"},"modified":"2025-10-30T10:09:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T10:09:15","slug":"first-uk-phones-to-get-satellite-connectivity-in-signal-blackspots-announced-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/233788\/","title":{"rendered":"First UK phones to get satellite connectivity in signal blackspots announced"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zoe KleinmanTechnology editor<\/p>\n

\"GettyGetty Images<\/p>\n

Virgin Media O2 is set to become the first mobile network operator to offer UK customers automatic connectivity via satellite in places without phone signal.<\/p>\n

O2 Satellite will be an optional service due to launch in the first half of 2026, following a partnership with Elon Musk’s satellite business Starlink to offer the service.<\/p>\n

The firm has not yet revealed how much it will cost, but it will be an additional fee to pay each month.<\/p>\n

Enabled smartphones will automatically switch to satellite coverage in parts of the UK where no terrestrial signal is available – such as rural areas – but those who sign up will not be able to make phone calls via satellite to begin with.<\/p>\n

The service will only work with messaging, maps and location apps. O2 says this is because Starlink’s current satellites do not support calls, although the next generation of them will.<\/p>\n

Calls made via WhatsApp, which uses data rather than phone signal, may work though. O2 intends to trial this before the service launches to the public.<\/p>\n

The satellites will effectively act like “phone masts in the sky”, said Luke Pearce from analyst CCS Insight.<\/p>\n

“In today’s world, connectivity is no longer optional,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Whether it’s emergency SOS in life-saving situations or keeping a software-defined vehicle online, people now expect constant access.”<\/p>\n

Software-defined vehicles can receive over-the-air updates to improve their performance and features, but need internet connections to be able to do so.<\/p>\n

“Satellite is the only technology that can truly close the coverage gap across mountains, oceans and rural areas,” Mr Pearce added.<\/p>\n

Satellite battle takes off<\/p>\n

O2’s move comes several months after rival Vodafone carried out a successful live video call via satellite<\/a> from a mountain in Wales where there was no other signal. <\/p>\n

It claimed this was a UK first, but it has not yet revealed any plans to roll out satellite-to-device services to customers. <\/p>\n

Vodafone’s tech worked with the satellite firm AST, which currently has six satellites in orbit and aims to have up to 60 by the end of 2026.<\/p>\n

Starlink, meanwhile, has more than 650 satellites and has already launched similar services with phone networks in other countries including Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada and Japan.<\/p>\n

In the UK, Ofcom tweaked its regulations in September to enable satellite connectivity directly to smartphone devices.<\/p>\n

Currently it is only possible to use it to text emergency services from newer iPhone and Android handsets.<\/p>\n

But the use of low-earth orbit satellites for mobile communications has been criticised by astronomers, who say they pollute the night sky and make it more difficult to spot potential hazards such as asteroids.<\/p>\n

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