UK mobile networks can now use satellites to boost their coverage

We’ve been hearing about the possibility of mobile networks using satellite connectivity for a while now, but Ofcom has now authorized this, meaning the UK’s networks are free to leverage this technology.

That means they won’t be limited to the coverage provided by their masts and other infrastructure, as your phone will instead be able to connect directly to low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

There are obvious benefits to this, with the main one being that it could allow for comprehensive UK coverage, with satellites filling not-spots in rural areas that would otherwise be tricky or expensive to bring coverage to.

Satellites could also be used as a back-up option to contact emergency services when conventional networks are down.

A big deal but it's not here yet

So this is a big deal, but it’s not something you can do yet – although Ofcom has now authorised this (making the UK the first country in western Europe to allow for it) – networks will still need to apply to Ofcom for a variation to their licence.

Once done, they’ll also need to strike agreements with satellite providers, but that’s something that O2 and Vodafone are already working on.

O2 plans to offer satellite services from Starlink starting next year, while Vodafone is partnering with AST SpaceMobile. It’s likely Three will also benefit from that latter partnership, since Vodafone and Three have now merged, and we’d expect EE will also strike some sort of deal soon.

Initially these satellite services may be limited to texting and emergency use, but it’s likely that voice calls and data use will be added over time, as satellite constellations expand.