FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

ecommended that the UK lobby for a CEPT DSI process for the band 30 kHz to 30 MHz
within the CEPT ECC and the European Commission’s Radio Policy Committee, as well
as introducing relevant technical, operational, economic and regulatory issues contained
in this Report into the committee structure and decision making processes of the relevant
international bodies. The overall objective should be to continue to promote innovation in
the spectrum management process at the international level. (See Sections 6.3, 6.5, 6.6
and 6.7).
Recommendation 6.3: Very little use is made of the MF telegraphy band. Narrowband
direct printing has not replaced Morse telegraphy as was expected to happen.
Except on 490 and 518 kHz, and on 500 kHz which despite full implementation of the
GMDSS has maintained a certain safety and distress function in some areas of the world,
there is little traffic in the band 415-526.5 kHz. It is therefore recommended that an in
depth and careful review of this band should be initiated with a view to allocate a
significant part of it for other applications. This could be part a European overall spectrum
review (DSI) covering LF, MF and HF spectrum, see Recommendation 6.2 (See also
Section 6.6).
Recommendation 6.4: Subject to the results of public consultation and any
European DSI process (see Recommendation 6.2) it is recommended that new digital
systems in the 2 MHz MF band should be considered on a national and non-interference
basis taking account of the need to maintain interoperability with ships from foreign
countries (See Sections 6.6).
Recommendation 6.5: Adaptive systems have been successfully introduced in the
fixed service in the HF bands. They would likewise offer great advantages to the maritime
mobile service in the MF (see section 6.6.6) and HF bands. The implementation of
adaptive systems on frequencies detailed in Appendix 17 to the Radio Regulations is
permitted for initial testing through note p to the table in Part A of the Appendix.
Frequencies from outside the maritime bands could of course be added to the group of
frequencies used. It is understood that the final introduction of this new technology into
the maritime mobile service requires further in-depth studies and the adoption of
appropriate technical and regulatory provisions. It is therefore recommended, that
regulatory pre-conditions are developed for the implementation of such adaptive
techniques along the lines described above (See Section 6.7).
Recommendation 6.6: In the HF bands, there is a rapidly growing need for digital
technologies. Appendix 17 to the Radio Regulations, allows for initial testing and the
possible future introduction within the maritime service of new digital technologies. The
ITU-R is already conducting studies to improve the efficient use of these maritime bands.
It is recommended that every effort is made to support these studies and refrain from
implementing national solutions that might not be compatible with the outcome of these
studies. With regard to SSB telephony, it is believed premature to advocate a changeover
to digital techniques. In the longer term a transition to digital techniques, perhaps
similar to those envisaged for digital HF broadcasting, may be considered (See Section
6.7).
Recommendation 6.7: It is recommended that an in depth study of all UK
applications within the bands 156.0 – 158.5 MHz and 160.6 – 163.1 MHz ( including
Appendix 18 (to the Radio Regulations) international maritime channels as well as Coast
Station Radio private UK maritime channels) should be considered. The goal would be to
determine:
� The future VHF spectrum requirements of the UK maritime industry with a view to
rationalisation of the current spectrum taking account recent changes in the
industry and the introduction of new technologies.
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