FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

are a concern, however for smaller craft for which radar is a convenience rather than a
necessity, such a system may well prove more cost effective than a full-blown radar. If an
Internet connection back to shore can be established, safety of life services could also
potentially view nearby vessels radar screens, assisting with the identification and
location of ships in distress, or just generally enhancing their radar visibility in the area.
4.2.1.5 Possible New Technologies (in-band)
No new technologies being planned as alternatives to the current radar technology within
the existing frequency allocation have been identified. Modern maritime radars already
employ the majority of the standard techniques for improving accuracy and reducing
output powers such as pulse compression. The move by the ITU to enforce tighter out-ofband
emission limits will cause many of the older units installed to be replaced by more
modern versions.
4.2.1.6 Alternative Technologies or Spectrum (other or none)
AIS
The introduction of Automatic Identification System (AIS) provides an alternative
mechanism for coastal stations to identify the location of vessels. The UK Coast Guard
currently employs a network of AIS receivers around the UK rather than radars in order to
locate shipping, it being a more cost effective solution than the large number of radars
that would be required. AIS provides the additional function of identifying each ship.
It is clear that many vessels are being fitted with AIS as a matter of routine thus there is a
minimal economic impact concerned with implementing the standard. IPR issues with
respect to AIS are addressed in section 6.10.4.
4.2.1.7 Allocation Sharing Opportunities
Sharing with other services
The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) informed us that they were not aware of any
land-based maritime radars operating in the UK in the 5 GHz band. GMDSS requires that
vessels of certain types install two radars operating in one or more of the 3, 5 and/or 9
GHz bands, one (or more) of which must operate in the 9 GHz band. By far the most
common usage is 3 and 9 GHz as these two bands, being of significantly different
wavelengths compliment each other in terms of accuracy, resistance to weather
conditions (fog, rain etc) and range. 5 GHz was seen as a possible compromise band but
has been very little used other than; it is understood, in Japan and some parts of the
USA. The MCA would not be concerned if this band were shared with or re-allocated for
other users, as it would not expect there to be a knock-on impact for UK-based radar
services.
The band 5470 – 5725 MHz is under consideration as a potential band for HiperLAN 14
(Band B – with a power limit of up to 1 Watt in the UK). This band clearly overlaps with
the 5 GHz radar band at 5460 – 5650 MHz. Sharing is made possible in this context due
to the low power, low range nature of the HiperLAN technology, and because of the use
of Transmitter Power Control (TPC), which ensures that the minimum transmitter power
required to maintain the connection is used, and Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)
whereby channels found to be occupied (for example, by a radar or by another nearby
14 All devices must comply with ERC Decision 99(23) and IR 2006
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