FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

Alternative uses might eventually be identified for redundant MF and HF spectrum, priority
candidates would be improved maritime data services, digital broadcasting and defence
applications. The Consultant is of the opinion that it may be beneficial to launch a
European Spectrum Review covering the LF to HF bands to ascertain future requirements
and develop a strategy which takes account of new technology, the development of
regional markets and ensures the effective use of spectrum. The VHF bands might be
rationalised taking advantage of redundant public correspondence channels and efficient
spectrum saving techniques adopted to make maximum use of the remaining channels
whilst providing backwards compatibility for the more important safety and operational
functions. This would be subject to studies to determine actual requirements for public
correspondence in order to ensure that premature release of spectrum does not
compromise an important requirement. Spectrum released in all bands might be available
for reallocation to other UK radiocommunication services, subject to any international
constraints.
The Consultant has identified an issue concerning GSM and IMT-2000 used to provide in
many cases unplanned maritime public correspondence services as a result of service
area overspill into surrounding maritime areas. Whilst 900 MHz systems appear to
provide adequate coverage and has hastened the decline of planned public
correspondence services, it is unlikely that IMT-2000 operating in the 2 GHz and 2.5 GHz
bands will be suitable for maritime applications due to increased propagation losses. It
appears necessary to determine the requirement for public correspondence in coastal
waters in conjunction with a study to ascertain the actual use of spectrum in the
international and UK CSR bands.
The Report also addresses licensing and associated fees and charges. A particular
requirement was to obtain licensing information from at least 30 prominent countries in
order to provide a benchmark for future UK activities in this area.
Questionnaires were sent to a number of key administrations around the World
requesting detailed information on their approach to licensing and the application of
appropriate fees and charges for radiocommunication systems used by the aeronautical
and maritime communities.
Unfortunately only a limited number of detailed responses were received in the time
available, however this information was supplemented by publicly available material and
updating material collected some 2 years earlier.
In general Administrative Incentive Pricing (AIP) is not applied widely to aeronautical and
maritime services. The only country where AIP seems to have been widely implemented
is Australia. However even then Australia differentiates for aeronautical and maritime
applications between those licensees who require an assignment and those that do not.
Some countries e.g. the US and Canada where aircraft and small vessels that do not
generally travel outside their national borders and are not subject to mandatory carriage
requirements are exempted from licensing. In the case of Canada and the US there is
also a bilateral agreement with respect to the free movement of ‘small’ vessels and
aircraft between the two countries. A study could be conducted in the United Kingdom,
possibly involving other British Isles administrations, addressing whether such an
approach would benefit UK aviation and maritime industries. Such considerations might
be restricted to the use of VHF aviation and maritime frequencies and on-board
navigation apparatus.
With respect to radiodetermination stations, mobile apparatus is often incorporated into
the aircraft or ships licence at no extra charge. In the case of land radiodetermination
stations the cost of licensing varies between zero as a result of minimal licensing
requirements, for example if the systems are operated by governmental organisations,
and a relatively high value such as found in Australia where the AIP regime has
introduced bandwidth and operational frequency factors into the pricing equation.
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