BT Group and Starlink have announced a landmark agreement to deliver high-speed satellite broadband to customers in the UK’s most remote regions. The partnership will integrate Starlink’s low-latency, low-Earth orbit satellite network into BT and EE’s broadband offerings, targeting rural areas where fibre deployment remains economically or geographically unfeasible.
The collaboration marks one of Starlink’s first major telco partnerships in Europe and will enable download speeds up to 280 Mbps, with service availability expected in late 2026. The integration complements BT Group’s Openreach fibre rollout, which recently surpassed 20 million premises, and supports the company’s goal of reaching 30 million by 2030. The deal underscores BT’s commitment to bridging the UK’s digital divide, while aligning with its broader space connectivity strategy anchored at its Madley Communications Centre.
Allison Kirkby, BT Group CEO, said the partnership “is a giant leap for rural connectivity,” while Starlink’s Chad Gibbs emphasized that BT’s “local presence will help us reach communities which have historically faced challenges with reliable connectivity.”
• BT Group will offer ultrafast satellite connectivity to rural and remote customers starting in 2026.
• Starlink integration complements BT’s ongoing nationwide full-fibre rollout.
• Speeds up to 280 Mbps with low latency suitable for streaming, gaming, and remote work.
• Supports BT’s broader strategy for hybrid fibre-satellite connectivity via EE and Openreach.
• Reinforces Starlink’s growing portfolio of global carrier alliances.
“On behalf of Starlink, we’re excited to team up with BT Group and bring high-speed internet to more people across the UK,” said Chad Gibbs, VP of Business Operations at SpaceX.
🌐 Analysis
The following table summarizes Starlink’s expanding partnerships with mobile and broadband carriers worldwide.
| Carrier / Partner | Region / Country | Partnership Scope | Announced | Status / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BT Group / EE | United Kingdom | Consumer broadband in rural and remote areas; EE mobile backhaul | Nov 2025 | First UK telco partnership; commercial service expected 2026 |
| T-Mobile US | United States | Direct-to-Cell text service expanding to voice/data; nationwide coverage | Aug 2022 | Ongoing testing; text service launch 2025 |
| KDDI | Japan | Backhaul connectivity for remote mobile base stations; Direct-to-Cell integration | Sept 2021 | Active; part of Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell alliance |
| Optus | Australia | Satellite-to-cell coverage for rural areas and emergency response | July 2023 | Network integration underway for 2025 service |
| Rogers Communications | Canada | Extending mobile coverage via Starlink Direct-to-Cell | Apr 2023 | Testing for launch 2025 in remote provinces |
| One NZ (Vodafone NZ) | New Zealand | Mobile Direct-to-Cell connectivity across national footprint | 2024 | Listed as “commercially available” by Starlink Feb 2025 |
| Kyivstar | Ukraine | Mobile network coverage via Starlink backhaul and satellite-to-cell | July 2025 | Deployment expected mid-2026 for civil and emergency use |
| Entel Chile & Peru | South America | Enterprise broadband and rural backhaul solutions | 2024 | Live in select rural regions |
