Area Code 62 – US Base

Overview of Ascension Island +247 62

Ascension Island, a remote volcanic island in the South Atlantic, is a British Overseas Territory with its own country calling code, +247. The island's numbering plan is non-geographic in the traditional sense, as the entire territory shares a single five-digit local number format. The prefix 62 is specifically allocated to the US Base, a key military and communications facility on the island, operated by the United States under an agreement with the UK government. This prefix is used for landline services within the base, which hosts a significant expatriate community and various technical installations.

Geographic and Administrative Context

The US Base is located near Georgetown, the island's capital, and is one of the two main settlements (the other being Two Boats Village). The base is home to a satellite tracking station, a NASA tracking station, and other defense communications infrastructure. The prefix 62 is assigned to numbers within the base's perimeter, and calls to these numbers are routed via the island's PSTN, which is operated by Sure (formerly Cable & Wireless).

Dialing Formats

To call a number on the US Base from abroad, you need to dial the full international format: +247 62 XXX, where XXX is the three-digit subscriber number. For example, a typical number might be +247 62 123. When dialing from within Ascension Island, you would simply dial 62 XXX (without the country code). It is important to note that Ascension Island does not use trunk prefixes or area codes in the traditional sense; the entire local number is five digits, with the first two digits (62) acting as an exchange identifier.

Caller Instructions

• From overseas: Dial your country's international access code (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries), then 247, then 62, followed by the three-digit local number. Example: 011 247 62 123.
• From within Ascension Island: Simply dial 62 123.
• From mobile phones: Ensure you have international dialing enabled, and use the +247 format for best results.

Important Considerations

As of 2023, Ascension Island has a limited number of active lines, and the US Base prefix is primarily used for official and residential lines on the base. There are no known overlay codes or recent changes to the numbering plan. However, due to the island's remote location, call routing may involve satellite links, which can occasionally cause slight delays. For emergency services, dial 999 or 911 (both work on the island).