What Are Satellite Phones, And How Does The Technology Work?

The first things that comes to mind when someone says “satellite phones”, are emergency services and people working in remote locations. That began to change last year, when Ofcom announced proposals that could bring satellite calling and internet access to ordinary smartphones.

In March last year, Ofcom announced plans that would let mobile networks and satellite operators to connect regular smartphones through satellites whenever mobile coverage from ground masts was unavailable. The regulator said people living in rural communities, mountain regions and coastal areas could benefit from the service.

The is was an important moment for UK telecommunications because before, on top of satellite communications needed specialist handsets that often came with a pretty high price tag. Ofcom said new developments meant satellites could send signals straight to ordinary smartphones, allowing calls, texts and internet access without conventional mobile coverage.

David Willis, Ofcom’s Spectrum Group Director, said, “For years, we’ve seen satellite calls in disaster movies on special handsets. We’re now on the cusp of people being able to make them on their everyday smartphones.”

Willis also said, “Ofcom always strives to be at the forefront of technological change, and we’re the first country in Europe to press ahead with the next frontier in mobile connectivity. This would unlock investment, open doors to innovation and growth, and bring much-needed mobile coverage to rural areas.”

Earlier in 2025, Vodafone completed what Ofcom called the world’s first satellite video call using a standard mobile phone in an area of west Wales without mobile coverage. Ofcom said the service could eventually help achieve 100% mobile coverage throughout the UK.

How Do Satellite Phones Connect Calls And Messages?

The biggest difference between a satellite phone and a conventional mobile phone involves the network carrying communications. Traditional mobile phones connect through nearby mobile masts and satellite phones communicate through spacecraft orbiting Earth instead.

Steven Athwal, Managing Director and Founder of The Big Phone Store, explained, “A satellite phone doesn’t use mobile masts at all. It solely uses satellites, so you can stay connected in places normal phones receive no signal. No signal is the main use case, which is why emergency crews, sailors, and remote workers rely on them.”

The process involves communications travelling into space before returning to ground infrastructure. Athwal said, “How it works is when you speak, it gets relayed up to a satellite, bounces down to a ground station, then joins the normal phone network from there. and responses work the same way but in reverse. So no mobile phone masts are involved.”

Matt Baharav, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at MKB Media Solutions, offered a similar explanation. He said, “Cell towers are not involved.”

Baharav continued, “Satellite phones communicate directly with satellites passing above Earth.”

He also said, “Then they send their signal back down to another tower or ground station.”

That arrangement allows communications services to continue operating even when conventional mobile infrastructure becomes unavailable. Baharav said, “This is why satellite phones work even when every other network in a hundred-mile radius has been knocked out.”

He also said, “The entire reason for using them is resilience during disasters.”

What Limits Do Satellite Phones Face?

Satellite communications can reach remote locations where conventional mobile networks cannot operate, although users must accept certain compromises.

One requirement involves maintaining a good view of the sky. Trees, mountains and tall buildings can interfere with satellite communications and affect performance.

Athwal said, “Limitation of this: Satellite phones need open skies. If you get covered by trees, buildings, or mountains, the connection will struggle.”

Distance also affects call quality and responsiveness. Signals travel much farther than conventional mobile calls, creating additional latency during conversations.

Baharav said, “The trade-off nobody markets well is latency vs. call clarity, due to the signaling that a call is traveling much farther than normal calls.”

He also said, “I advise my clients to be upfront about these gaps.”

Those compromises often matter less than maintaining communications for emergency services, sailors, hikers and remote workers when ordinary mobile networks are unavailable, though.

What Does O2 Satellite Mean For The UK Market?

The UK satellite communications sector entered a new phase during Feb, when Virgin Media O2 switched on O2 Satellite, which would make it the first mobile operator in the UK and Europe to launch a satellite powered mobile data service for customers.

Virgin Media O2 said the service increases its UK landmass coverage from 89% to 95%. According to the company, that coverage gain equals an area around two thirds the size of Wales.

Customers using compatible Samsung Galaxy S25 devices can automatically connect through Starlink satellites whenever traditional mobile coverage becomes unavailable. At launch, the service supports messaging and mobile data through applications including WhatsApp, Messenger and Google Maps.

The service comes through a partnership between Virgin Media O2 and SpaceX. Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellites work with O2’s licensed mobile spectrum, allowing compatible smartphones to connect without specialist satellite hardware.

Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2, said, “This is a defining moment for UK mobile connectivity and a statement of our intent to keep innovating and ensure our customers can stay connected no matter where they are. 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.”

Baroness Lloyd, Minister for the Digital Economy, said, “This is a major achievement for the UK and demonstrates leadership in next-generation connectivity. Being the first in Europe to launch direct-to-device satellite data services puts the UK firmly at the forefront of mobile innovation. O2 Satellite is a boost for growth and connectivity and a strong signal of the UK’s leadership in the global digital economy.”

Stephanie Bednarek, Vice President of Starlink Commercial Sales, said, “Delivering Starlink Direct to Cell in partnership with Virgin Media O2 underscores the importance of keeping people connected no matter where they are. For the first time, millions of people across the UK will have access to data, voice and video through apps, and messaging in remote areas where terrestrial coverage isn’t available.”