FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

6.6.8 Allocation Sharing issues
In section 6.3.9.5 we have already examined whether maritime spectrum below the MF
broadcasting band might be of interest to broadcasters. As was stated there, DRM is a
new broadcasting technology development and could be implemented in new frequency
bands as well as in the more traditional LF and MF bands. It might therefore be possible
to introduce such networks in spectrum below 526.5 kHz if the requirement for
aeronautical NDBs starts to diminish in the UK by 2010 as expected as GNSS systems
come on stream and the integrity of residual maritime distress and safety requirements
can be protected until they are no longer required. It should however be noted that ICAO
considers NDBs may be required until 2020.
DRM was designed as an in-band technology rather than an occupier of new spectrum,
nevertheless there could be interest in the band from broadcasters and potential
broadcasters. As mentioned earlier the economics of such stations and the available
advertising revenues may have to be addressed.
It is also likely that the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) might propose that an
allocation to the amateur service in the vicinity of 500 kHz would be worthy of
consideration. An allocation between the lowest allocation to the amateur service at 136
kHz and their allocation at 1810 kHz might provide this service with a useful spectrum
addition and encourage study in low frequency propagation mechanisms. A spokesman
from the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) has confirmed that there would be
interest in an allocation somewhere between the two lowest amateur allocations
6.6.9 Possible Overall Spectrum Efficiency Improvements
The introduction of more modern digital systems in the MF radiotelephony bands would
increase overall spectrum efficiency (see Section 6.6.6). Because of the decreasing use
of the MF telegraphy band, also on the international level, it seems possible for the
maritime mobile service to give up this band in the long term with the exception of those
few frequencies that are used for GMDSS and non-GMDSS distress and safety
communications (490, 500 and 518 kHz). But this will be a very slow process and will
certainly find opposition from less developed countries. An exhaustive review of the band
415-526.5 kHz is therefore highly desirable.
6.6.10 Socio-Economic Issues
The GMDSS was developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and
supported by the ITU as the worldwide Distress and Safety communications system. In
the UK the MCA is responsible for its implementation. The GMDSS became operational in
1991 and on 1st February 1999 became a compulsory requirement for all Safety of Life at
Sea (SOLAS) convention vessels; that is vessels over 300 gross registered tons and
various classes of passenger and fishing vessels.
The implementation of the GMDSS has highlighted the importance of ensuring that
Maritime radio is correctly licensed. Details of a licensee's vessel, emergency contact etc.
is made available to HM Coastguard and may be used to facilitate a search and rescue
operation. All DSC radios (both in coast and ship stations) must be programmed with a
Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number, which uniquely identifies the station.
MMSIs have a standard format, which identifies the type of station and country of
registration. Vessel MMSI numbers are issued in the United Kingdom by the Radio
Licensing Centre on behalf of Ofcom. Local offices of Ofcom, as part of the licensing
process, issue Coastal Station Radio MMSIs. It is crucial that only MMSIs issued by
Ofcom or the Radio Licensing Centre on their behalf are programmed into DSC
equipment (as the MMSIs are registered with the ITU). The use of incorrect numbers
could mean that the Search and Rescue services might deploy inappropriate resources in
response to a distress call thereby compromising their effectiveness.
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