O2 confirms major mobile signal boost – but you | Tech News

Virgin Media O2, proprietor of the nationwide O2 mobile community, has turn out to be the primary UK operator to announce its plans to offer prospects satellite tv for pc connectivity in a transfer designed to fight areas with poor mobile signal.

The firm has teamed up with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite tv for pc firm to launch O2 Satellite, a service set to be provided as a paid service to O2 prospects within the first half of 2026. It comes after O2 introduced it could hit all its pay month-to-month prospects with a £2.50 yearly increase in payments every April from 2026, after beforehand indicating costs would solely increase yearly by £1.80.

Using Starlink’s low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, O2 Satellite will routinely join suitable smartphone handsets when they’re trying to find signal in so-referred to as ‘not spot’ areas.

If you battle to get a mobile signal the place you dwell, you’ll all too effectively know how annoying it may be. Using Starlink’s Direct to Cell product, O2 is promising messaging and knowledge companies in areas you beforehand could have been out of luck.

O2 mentioned app help will “grow over time, with a focus on targeting support for the most asked-for applications at launch, primarily messaging, maps and location services.”

This means initially the service gained’t work for voice calls utilizing the telephone app on iPhone and Android units, but it’s potential calls could possibly be made utilizing knowledge companies in supported messaging apps, comparable to WhatsApp, although suitable apps are but to be confirmed.

“The O2 Satellite service will complement O2’s existing mobile network and work automatically in areas with no traditional mobile coverage, known as ‘not spots’, with the aim to expand Virgin Media O2’s landmass coverage in the UK to more than 95% within 12 months of launch,” Virgin Media O2 mentioned.

“This coverage is set to increase even further when next-generation Starlink satellites are deployed, alongside further enhancements in performance, application use and an expansion of use cases.”

Virgin Media O2 mentioned it’s presently operating trials of the service, with pricing particulars to be introduced earlier than the public launch.

Compatible smartphones have but to be confirmed. All iPhones because the 2023’s iPhone 14 are succesful of utilizing Apple’s own satellite tv for pc communications systems, and a few newer high-end Android telephones even have the technology inbuilt.

“This partnership demonstrates exactly how private sector innovation can deliver real benefits for people across the UK, supporting our mission to drive growth and ensure no community is left behind,” mentioned Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd. “Whether you’re running a farm in Cumbria or hiking in the Cairngorms, you’ll soon have the peace of mind that comes with reliable coverage.”