FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

or TETRA. Also the integration of GMDSS functions into a digital system has to be
carefully studied. It will therefore take quite some time, for a final technical solution to
become available.
In summary, it is our view that the future of maritime VHF communications is digital and
preference should be given to this development. Interim systems along the lines of
Section 6.8.5 should therefore only be implemented if absolutely necessary from the
viewpoint of unacceptable congestion of the Appendix 18 channels or when required to
satisfy the needs of other potential users of the spectrum. It is our belief from the material
available that due to the closure of commercial communications (public correspondence)
there is as a result considerable relief in congestion. Appendix 18 already takes account
of this trend and provides for the use of all public correspondence channels for port
operations.
6.8.7 Replacement Technologies (radio, other or none)
VHF maritime communications is generally considered to have a range of about 35 to 100
km. In looking at replacement technologies for non GMDSS or other distress and
emergency related communications, there are generally only three options, MF and HF
maritime communications, satellite communications and any coverage provided by
commercial GSM or other public mobile operators. At the extremity of the working range,
in open waters the GSM option is probably not generally available. Satellite costs would
be high for inter-ship communications and public correspondence using voice
communications. MF and HF services should be available and may be developed using
new technologies along the lines discussed in earlier sections; they may also be provided
by commercial operators in other countries. GMDSS requirements can of course be
realised by MF or an Inmarsat-C capability.
However as a vessel moves towards the coast and its destination the need for
communications becomes greater, there is more congestion in the sea lanes, ships will
need to communicate with on-shore services, port operations etc and passengers and
crew will be looking for public telecommunications services. Within 5 -10 km of a port
there is likely to be GSM or IMT-2000 coverage and thus this mode of communications
may be considered an option for placing a value on VHF maritime spectrum. Qualifying
factors will have to be included in formulating a value, for example whether GSM quality
of service criteria matches the immediacy requirements for port operations traffic.
6.8.8 Allocation Sharing issues
The spectrum identified in Appendix 18 to the Radio Regulations, with the exception of
156.8 MHz is allocation the mobile, except aeronautical mobile (R), service. Footnotes to
the ITU table of frequency allocations require administrations to give priority to the
maritime mobile service. It is nevertheless possible to consider sharing arrangements
within the UK that will not adversely impact maritime services, indeed this has already
been implemented in the case of mountain rescue services.
However as an island with several inland navigable waterways (canals and rivers), for
larger vessels there are not too many locations that are sufficiently remote from maritime
activities to permit unqualified sharing with, for example, land mobile services. There is
thus a need to develop a considered approach to possible sharing scenarios based on
traffic demand. If these prove to be representative of wider trends in Europe they ideally
would in addition need to be propagated internationally to achieve a harmonised
approach, with the attendant advantages of larger product markets etc.
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