However, several reasons exist for doubting da Nova made this discovery. Although contradictory in describing other events, these chronicles almost unanimously claim João da Nova found Saint Helena sometime in 1502, although none of them gives a precise date. This tradition was reviewed by a 2022 paper which concluded the Portuguese chronicles published at least fifty years after the sighting are the sole primary source to the discovery. Main article: History of Saint Helena Early history (1502–1658) João da Nova, a Galician navigator serving the Portuguese Empire, was the first person to sight Saint Helena.īy long tradition, the island was sighted on by the four ships of the 3rd Portuguese Armada, commanded by João da Nova, a Galician navigator in service of Portugal, during the return voyage to Lisbon, who named it Santa Helena after Saint Helena of Constantinople. Saint Helena is known for being the site of Napoleon's second exile, following his final defeat in 1815. Saint Helena is the United Kingdom's second-oldest overseas territory after Bermuda.

For about four centuries, the island was an important stopover for ships from Europe to Asia and back, while sailing around the African continent, until the opening of the Suez Canal. It is one of the most remote islands in the world and was uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese enroute to the Indian subcontinent in 1502.

It was named after Helena, mother of Constantine I. Saint Helena measures about 16 by 8 km (10 by 5 mi) and has a population of 4,439 per the 2021 census. It is one of three constituent parts of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. It is a remote volcanic tropical island 1,950 km (1,210 mi) west of the coast of south-western Africa, and 4,000 km (2,500 mi) east of Rio de Janeiro in South America. Note, that the same amount of data would cost £12 or £30 respectively on the default rate, so it is worth buying the 100 MB bundle only, if using more than 83 MB and it is worth buying the 250 MB bundle only, if using more than 167 MB.Saint Helena ( / ˌ s ɛ n t ( h) ɪ ˈ l iː n ə, ˌ s ɪ n t-, s ə n t-/, US: / ˌ s eɪ n t-/ ) is a British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. The SIM card has an initial validity of 60 days and then ' expires 60 days after last call/text made or data use'.ĭefault data rate is £0.12 per MB (= £120 per GB). Top-ups are available from different stores. It's sold at their service centre at Georgetown and other places. This network is separate from Sure on Saint Helena, subject to roaming fees.Ī SIM card costs £32.25 with £10 included valid for 60 days. In 2012 it started the only mobile network on the island in 2G and later in 4G/LTE. Sure by Sure South Atlantic Ltd is offering WiFi hotspots, landline and mobile broadband services on the island. That's why it will be much more likely that your device won't roam there at all. Sure has roaming agreements with very few providers so far, not even with all providers from the UK. Note that there is no 3G/UMTS, so if you want data, you need a phone that supports LTE band 3 or you'll be limited to low 2G/EDGE speeds. Sure operates 2G/GSM/EDGE on 900 MHz and 4G/LTE on 1800 MHz (band 3). The first and so far only network operator started in 2012: So expect quite low speeds (even on 4G/LTE), high latency and very high prices. These islands haven't been part of the EU, so EU roaming caps don't apply and providers charge a very high price for roaming.Īscension Island has no submarine cable link and all communications go through a relatively narrow band satellite channel. Even though it belongs to the same territory as Saint Helena, the mobile networks are separate and hence it merits a separate article. Ascension Island is part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic about halfway between Africa and South America.

Ascension island calling code