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6.3.6 Possible New Technologies (in-band)
Apart from the system enhancements mentioned above no new technologies are
anticipated in this band for maritime applications.
6.3.7 Replacement Technologies (radio, other or none)
It is quite possible that the European navigation satellite system GALILEO will provide an
accuracy that does not require any auxiliary system for the enhancement of the basic
accuracy of the navigational satellite system. An announcement by the United Kingdom
was made to the 44th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Safety of navigation
that it intended to discontinue the radiobeacon service operated by the three General
Lighthouse Authorities (Trinity House, Northern Lighthouse Board and
Commissioners of Irish Lights) on 1 February 1999 in accordance with the Marine
Navigation Plan (MNP). The MNP provided for discontinuation of this service by the
year 2000 or sooner. The advent of GALILEO together with the closure of
conventional maritime beacons would make the transmission of supplementary
navigational information from radiobeacon stations superfluous.
Should GALILEO and its predecessor EGNOS materialise as planned (see 6.3.9.4) the
spectrum used for DGPS/DGNSS could be considered for alternative applications such
as broadcasting.
6.3.8 Allocation Sharing issues
The band 283.5-315 kHz (Region 1) is shared with the aeronautical radionavigation
service on a co-primary basis. Due to the establishment of the radiobeacon plan in the
European Maritime Area including the modification procedures, no sharing problems have
arisen.
In Region 1, the frequency band 285.3-285.7 kHz is also allocated to the maritime
radionavigation service (other than radiobeacons) on a primary basis (Radio Regulation
(RR) No. 5.74). This band is used for a hyperbolic maritime radionavigation system in
accordance with Recommendation ITU-R M. 631. No sharing difficulties with maritime
radiobeacon stations have been reported.
6.3.9 Possible Overall Spectrum Efficiency Improvements
Conventional maritime radio-beacons provide a backup to more sophisticated
radionavigation systems and are the primary low-cost, medium accuracy systems for
ships equipped with only minimal radionavigation equipment. The beacons are used for
direction finding. The number of such beacons has been steadily declining in recent
years, which has provided the opportunity to implement DGPS beacons on a global basis,
thus maintaining a reasonable level of spectrum efficiency as well as the development of
a cost effective accurate navigational aid.
The present differential correction system can thus be considered to be spectrally
efficient, since it is supplementing maritime radiobeacons used for DF applications
without adversely affecting that prime function. No improvements are therefore required.
6.3.9.1 System Issues
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a United States Department of Defense
developed, worldwide, satellite based radionavigation system operating in the 1215 -1240
MHz and 1559 -1610 MHz bands. It was inaugurated in 1994. Although a principal part of
the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) its strategic importance in times of crisis
has always been of concern to civilian users (especially non US users) who worry that
service could be withdrawn. On the other hand the use of GPS is presently free of charge.
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