Confusion on Ascension Island as Local Broadband and Mobile Suffers Shakeup

The remote Ascension Island, which is a British Overseas Territory that sits in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean and is home to almost 900 people (many of them visitors and rotating military personnel), appears to be going through a dramatic shake-up of local broadband and mobile connectivity; some of which may risk the island being temporarily cut off.

In short, Sure South Atlantic, the incumbent telecoms provider for the volcanic island, is pulling out on 28th February 2026 (here). The company first made the announcement in August 2025, when it said they would “no longer provide telecommunications services on Ascension Island … unless a new, sustainable agreement can be reached with the Ascension Island Government (AIG).”

Sure explained that the “difficult decision” had come as a result of ongoing economic challenges, which they explained had been “significantly exacerbated” by the introduction and licensing of a second public telecommunications provider by AIG. Sure added that they had “consistently expressed concerns that the island’s small market cannot viably support multiple operators … Despite government subsidies, the current commercial model is unsustainable.”

Part of the issue may stem from the fact that the AIG has allowed people to use Starlink’s rival LEO satellite solution for faster and more affordable broadband connectivity, which much like on other remote overseas territories (e.g. the Falklands) has had a tendency to shake up the local market – previously dominated by a single supplier (Sure). But while Sure maintains a strategic presence on the Falklands, it’s opted to pull out completely from Ascension.

However, this does leave a much more complex challenge when it comes to local mobile connectivity, which in December 2025 saw the AIG respond by announcing a partnership with Australian company Omnitouch as the incoming telecommunications service provider for Ascension Island (here) – an unusual choice, perhaps, given how this is an overseas territory with RAF and US Space Force presence. “This partnership should ensure the ongoing availability of reliable telecommunications for the community from 1st March 2026,” said the announcement.

AIG Statement

Omnitouch Network Services designs, builds, and operates cellular networks in geographically remote and challenging parts of the world. They have provided telecom services in various regions and for other operators, including Australia, Alaska, Norfolk Island, the Pacific and Indian Ocean Islands, and Central America.

Omnitouch will collaborate with AIG and key stakeholders to plan and deliver the transition. Work is already underway to design, install, and test the new systems, including a mobile network provision with 4G mobile. Package details, eSIM, and SIM cards will be released in the new year. While every effort will be made to ensure a smooth transition, residents and businesses should note that there may be some risk of temporary disruption and/or teething problems as we work at pace to put in place the new arrangements.

The December 2025 announcement was followed by an update on 23rd January 2026, which confirmed that the new telecommunications service for Ascension Island will operate under the name Ascension Island Mobile (AI Mobile or AIM), which is currently still just a holding page where locals can register their interest.

“Ascension Island Mobile will operate a newly built network, separate from Sure’s existing infrastructure. As a result, the way some services are delivered may differ from current arrangements, and not all services will transition on a direct like-for-like basis. AIG is working to minimise disruption wherever possible and will provide further information as arrangements are confirmed,” said the announcement.

So with only 10 days to go until Sure’s exit, the new mobile network still isn’t operational and the AIG can’t guarantee that some people won’t be left disconnected for a period after 28th February 2026. The most recent island council meeting also highlighted other issues of concern, such as with the fact that they don’t yet have any Ofcom-issued UK number ranges and no ITU registration under MCC 658. Securing international roaming agreements without these will be difficult, especially for visitors and rotating military personnel who won’t be able to roam onto the network, while islanders wouldn’t be able to roam off the network either; a significant concern.

The AIG claimed that multiple companies reportedly bid, but the tender doesn’t appear to have been publicly advertised, which has also created some issues over transparency of the process. Suffice to say that an island of some military significance appears to be placing quite a lot of eggs in one very uncertain and rushed basket, which is facing the risk of imminent disruption to vital communication services and means locals may need separate SIMs, new phone/mobile numbers etc.

On the flip time, the benefits of cheaper, faster broadband and hopefully also an improved mobile service (assuming they can get it working properly) should ultimately benefit the tiny island community. But it appears as if there may be some pain to come first.