LONDON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Britain's Virgin Media O2

launched Europe's first satellite-to-mobile service on Thursday,

bringing text messages, WhatsApp and Google Maps to ​customers

using regular smartphones in locations with ‌no network

connection for three pounds ($4.06) a month.

The company, owned by Telefonica ⁠and Liberty Global ( LBTYA )

, said O2 Satellite, which uses ⁠SpaceX's Starlink

network, would increase its coverage ‌of Britain's ‌landmass from

89% to 95%.

Compatible handsets will automatically connect to satellites

where there ​is no terrestrial network, it ‌said, providing

messaging and apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and

weather and location-based services.

The service, ​which will initially work ​on ‌Samsung's latest

devices, will enable people to stay connected when travelling or

taking part in hiking, climbing and ⁠water sports.

U.S. carrier T-Mobile launched a similar

satellite-to-cell ⁠service in July for $10 a month.

Virgin Media O2 chief executive Lutz Schuler said it was a

defining moment for British mobile connectivity.

"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," he said.

O2's British rival Vodafone ( VOD ) made the first-ever video call over

satellite from an area with no terrestrial mobile coverage using

a regular smartphone ​in January 2025.

It plans to launch a full satellite-to-mobile service with

its partner AST SpaceMobile ( ASTS ), but it has ​not yet set a

date.

($1 = ‌0.7382 pounds)