Image: Starlink
U.K. police forces could soon turn to Starlink as a way to finally fix one of the country’s most expensive and troubled public-sector technology projects.
According to a report from The Telegraph, British officials are exploring whether Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network could be used to support the Emergency Services Network (ESN), a long-delayed system meant to replace the Airwave radio network currently used by police, fire, and ambulance services. The ESN was originally slated to go live back in 2017, but after repeated delays, cost overruns, and technical setbacks, it’s now not expected to be operational until at least 2029.
The idea is that Starlink’s satellite connectivity could help fill in coverage gaps that traditional mobile networks struggle to reach, especially in rural areas and other signal blackspots. Airwave currently covers roughly 99.9% of Britain’s landmass, a benchmark the ESN has yet to reliably match. Satellite-backed connectivity could be the missing piece needed to achieve nationwide reliability without extending the aging Airwave system yet again.
The ESN was initially pitched as a cost-saving measure, replacing a bespoke radio system with one that runs on existing mobile networks. Instead, its estimated cost has ballooned from £6.2 billion ($8.34 billion) to roughly £14 billion ($18.84 billion), with industry sources warning that figure could climb even higher. Motorola’s exit from the project further complicated matters, forcing the government to repeatedly extend Airwave’s tenure at significant expense.
Starlink’s involvement could also align neatly with the U.K.’s broader move toward space-based mobile connectivity. Ofcom cleared the use of direct-to-device satellite signals late last year, making Britain the first European country outside Ukraine to approve the technology. Starlink already has a deal in place with Virgin Media O2 that will allow customers to send texts and use apps via satellite in areas with no cellular coverage, starting sometime this year.
Globally, Starlink’s Direct to Cell technology is already gaining traction. The company has deployed more than 650 first-generation satellites capable of connecting directly to unmodified smartphones, and says over 12 million people have accessed the service at least once, with more than 6 million monthly users relying on it where terrestrial networks don’t exist. The U.S. Air Force is even evaluating Starlink for use aboard its AC-130J Ghostrider gunships.
While there’s no confirmation yet that Starlink will be formally integrated into the ESN, the fact that it’s being seriously considered underscores how satellite connectivity is increasingly seen as critical infrastructure — not just a consumer convenience.
