VodafoneThree gets Ofcom approval to bring satellite connectivity to your smartphone

Date:
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Description:
Ofcom has given O2 and VodafoneThree permission to use satellite connectivity in 2026, but it needs to update handset rules.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Pro Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are
now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter VodafoneThree is the latest carrier given permission to use satellite tech to cover not-spots O2 already granted permission, EE to work with Starlink Handset rules need updating as well as operator licenses Ofcom has confirmed it has approved a request from VodafoneThree to amend one of the spectrum licenses it holds, which would
mean it can provide 'direct-to-device' satellite connectivity to mobile phones.

The recently-merged companies would be able to provide calls, texts and data to standard smartphones in the UK, making it much more akin to regular cell service rather than Apple 's satellite-based SOS features. Satellite connectivity would play an important role in plugging gaps in today's current infrastructure, providing signal where there is no signal. Article continues below You may like Virgin Media O2 switches on Starlink-powered smartphone satellite service VodafoneThree says mobile connectivity can create thousands of new businesses and billions in economic boost as it looks to kill off UK 'not spots' forever The Galaxy S26 series gets satellite connectivity but there could be delays VodafoneThree granted approval to use satellites VodafoneThree isn't the only company to have been granted such permission O2 was also given the green light earlier in 2026.

"By launching O2 Satellite, we've become the first operator in Europe to launch a space-based mobile data service that, overnight, has brought new mobile coverage to an area around two-thirds the size of Wales for the first time," VMO2 CEO Lutz Schuler boasted, when the company launched satellite connections for some early supported Samsung devices.

However, there could be more at play before satellite connectivity becomes commonplace. Ofcom said that, while granting operator licenses is one part that it's done twice this year, it also needs to amend its handset
regulations following public consultation over the next month.

In the US, T-Mobile has already launched a satellite-to-cell service for an additional $10 monthly fee. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign
up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

As for the UK's only other main carrier, EE announced a partnership with Starling in late 2025 to tackle so-called 'not-spots' across the UK as soon
as the second half of 2026. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/vodafonethree-gets-ofcom-approval-to-bring-satel lite-connectivity-to-your-smartphone


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)