I think we can all agree that the licensing of Starlink in the Falkland Islands marked a genuinely transformational moment for residents and businesses alike. For the first time, many households and enterprises gained access to reliable, high-speed broadband connectivity that meets modern expectations. The scale of uptake, reflected in the Communications Regulator’s remarkably high number of VSAT licences issued (approximately 1,300), speaks for itself. Demand was not theoretical; it was immediate and widespread across Camp and Stanley, satisfying the compelling need for high-speed broadband that had been lacking with Sure South Atlantic’s exclusive telecommunications provider.
But this is not the moment for complacency. The arrival of Starlink was a major step forward, but not the end of the journey. Telecommunications underpins economic development, public services, education, healthcare, defence and social connection. Licensing an additional broadband provider was only one element of a much-needed, broader, long-term telecoms strategy.
Sure’s exclusive telecommunications licence is due to expire in December 2027. While that may sound distant, in telecommunications timescales it is certainly not. Procurement, licensing, infrastructure build, regulatory preparation and transition planning take many months and often years. The window for orderly reform is already narrowing and may be as little as eighteen months.
A key question is when Sure will formally be given notice of the future licensing framework. The earliest point at which notice could have been issued was January 2026. The longer this decision is deferred, the narrower the available options become and the greater the risk of a rushed outcome.
As detailed in Schedule 4 – Exit Provisions – of Sure’s Individual Operating Licence, there is a six-month transition period, extendable by FIG for up to two years, provided that notice of termination has been served.
I understand that the Cambridge Management Consulting (CMC) Phase 2 “Preliminary Market Engagement” (PME) activity has now been completed. That work is intended to provide an evidence base of genuine third-party interest from other operators and to help define a strategic direction and timeline for the next phase of telecommunications development. With that stage complete, the expectation – and hope – is that timely decisions will now follow.
It should be remembered that approval of Starlink involved a financial arrangement with Sure, with payments understood to total up to £6 million through to the end of the current exclusive licence period. That commitment represents a significant public investment and demonstrates that telecommunications reform already carries material financial implications.
The Islands’ budgetary position will inevitably influence telecommunications reform. With FIG and MLAs seeking £10 million in recurring savings, absorbing inflation within existing budgets, and managing a projected £55 million cash shortfall over five years, the fiscal environment is clearly constrained. In the view of many, telecommunications ranks alongside port enhancement and power station upgrades as critical infrastructure. In that context, reform, particularly if it involves moving to a new model or replacing the current exclusive operator, would require significant upfront investment.
Any public–private partnership arrangement, infrastructure separation model, or transitional support package would likely involve substantial capital commitments at the outset, even if designed to deliver long-term resilience and economic benefit. Both Stanley’s and Camp’s telecommunications infrastructure requires major upgrades, as previously discussed extensively on Open Falklands. Short-term financial pressure may therefore encourage caution. Yet while deferring investment may reduce immediate expenditure, it risks higher long-term costs, weaker competition and reduced resilience at a time when economic growth is essential.
It is also increasingly unlikely that Sure will commit to significant further investment while its exclusive licence is approaching expiry and future arrangements remain uncertain. That is commercially rational. However, without a clear pathway forward, the Islands’ telecommunications infrastructure could stagnate or even deteriorate. Networks require continual capital investment, upgrades and maintenance. This challenge extends beyond the principal conclusion of the Communications Regulator’s 2025 Quality of Service report, which urges Sure to reduce faults caused by its equipment or network and to improve repair times.
Comparisons are sometimes drawn with Ascension Island. However, the Falkland Islands are not the same as Ascension. Population size, economic activity and public service requirements are materially different. The Falklands cannot realistically operate as a Starlink-only jurisdiction, as a resilient terrestrial mobile network is an essential service. A national framework requires operational certainty, long-term infrastructure planning, resiliancy and strategic oversight.
Ultimately, this is about timing and clarity. With the exclusive licence’s end date approaching, FIG must provide direction to Sure, potential future operators, businesses and residents. If decisions are delayed too long, there is a real risk of licence extension by default – a short-term rollover simply to avoid disruption. That could weaken negotiating leverage and potentially entrench the status quo without the benefit of deliberate strategic choice. The current position does not provide a sustainable long-term solution.
In due course, it would be helpful to see a clear, published timetable setting out the next steps. This might include confirmation of the intended licensing model, an indication of when formal notice is expected to be issued, and an outline of the anticipated pathway to and beyond 2027. Even if aspects of the final structure remain under consideration, greater visibility into the process and timing would help Falkland businesses and residents plan with greater confidence.
Chris Gare, OpenFalklands, February 2026, copyright OpenFalklands
