FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

Maritime transport has always been important to the United Kingdom as an island nation.
In general, the development of the transport industry depends heavily on the development
of the economy as a whole. Transport demand, for both cargo and passengers, for all
modes of transport has shown uninterrupted growth since 1970.
Maritime transport, and in particular maritime cargo transport, experienced a growth of
35% in the late 1970’s and the start of the 1980’s, but has diminished in absolute terms
slightly in subsequent years. Maritime transport is very important for trade between
Europe and America/Far East countries and for transport between the different European
countries.
Within the EU the European Commission has developed and is maintaining a Common
Transport Policy, which has been implemented in order to ensure that the transport sector
can take full advantage of the implementation of the Single Market.
This Chapter has addressed the spectrum management and socio-economic issues
concerned with maritime radar systems and the associated equipment used to improve
the visibility of certain key structures. At the end of this Chapter the Consultant has
included a number of recommendations which the UK Office of Communications may
wish to consider.
4.1.2 Frequency Allocations
Maritime radiodetermination systems (with the exception of ship berthing radar – please
see later discussion on this matter) all operate in three distinct frequency bands.
3 GHz
Both the Region 1 and UK frequency allocation tables allocate the frequencies 2900 –
3100 MHz to Maritime Radionavigation as a primary service. Footnote UK98 states that
this frequency band is limited to maritime radars.
In the UK, this band is shared on a co-primary basis with Aeronautical Radionavigation
and on a secondary basis with Radiolocation. The band is also used by the MoD for the
radionavigation and radiolocation services.
5 GHz
The UK frequency allocation tables allocate the frequencies 5460 – 5650 MHz to Maritime
Radionavigation as a primary service. In the UK frequency allocation table, footnote UK
105 adds that the maritime radionavigation service is limited to shipborne and associated
land based radars. This allocation is shared in the UK on a co-primary basis with
Aeronautical Radionavigation and on a secondary basis with Radiolocation and the Land
Mobile service on the frequencies 5460 – 5470 and 5470 – 5650 MHz respectively.
The Region 1 allocation for this spectrum is to Radionavigation as a primary service and
radiolocation as a secondary service on the frequencies 5460 – 5470 MHz, and to
Maritime Radionavigation as a primary service and radiolocation as a secondary service
on the frequencies 5470 – 5650 MHz.
According to the UK frequency allocation table, frequencies between 5350 and 5470 MHz
are used by the MoD for the radiolocation service. Meteorological radars are allowed
between 5600 and 5650 MHz, and military radars may operate in this band on a
secondary basis.
9 GHz
Both the Region 1 and UK frequency allocation tables allocate the frequencies 8850 –
9000 MHz to Maritime Radionavigation on a primary basis, though footnote UK4 indicates
that these frequencies are assigned to the MoD in the UK (and are thus outside the remit
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