FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

Closer to home the CEPT consultative process of Detailed Spectrum Investigations (DSI)
in its 2 nd phase report published in March 1995 recommended that consideration be given
to a harmonised European private maritime band 157.45 – 157.95 MHz paired with
162.05 – 162.55 MHz using 5 or 6.25 kHz channel spacing. In Europe, as mentioned
elsewhere in this Chapter the commercial success of GSM with its extensive coverage of
coastal and inland waterways has undermined the commercial viability for any dedicated
maritime public correspondence system but there will continue to be a requirement for a
limited number of conventional private ship to shore communication channels.
Some countries are already using frequencies adjacent to those of Appendix 18 to the
Radio Regulations for private VHF maritime communications. In the United Kingdom the
following non exclusive (for maritime) bands are available for this purpose:
• 157.45-158.5 MHz;
• 160.975-161.475 MHz;
• 162.05-163.00 MHz.
Where two frequency simplex or duplex operation is employed on designated frequencies
the spacing between transmitter and receiver frequencies is 4.6 MHz.
The technical characteristics are identical to those for international VHF maritime
communications on Appendix 18 channels. They are specified in Recommendation ITU-R
M.489. Since this is a purely national matter, administrations are free to take any
measures they see fit. However, due to alternative short range communication means, in
particular GSM, it is believed that there is no real need to continue to provide as many
frequencies as are now available for private maritime VHF communications. A detailed
proposal for an alternative use in connection with part of the Appendix 18 frequencies
was considered in Section 6.8.
The land-based and shipborne equipment have to comply with the R&TTE Directive.
Since the band in question is not used for distress and safety communications, there is no
requirement emanating from the SOLAS Convention.
6.10 VHF - AIS (Automatic Identification System)
6.10.1 Frequency Allocations (international)
Two international channels have been allocated for AIS use, i.e. AIS 1: 161.975 MHz and
AIS 2: 162.025 MHz (see Appendix 18 to the Radio Regulations, Table of transmitting
frequencies in the VHF maritime mobile band). These channels were formerly coast
station transmit frequencies of channels 87 and 88. They will be used for an automatic
ship identification and surveillance system capable of providing worldwide operation on
high seas, unless other frequencies are designated on a regional basis for this purpose.
The frequencies are simplex frequencies for ship and coast station use.
6.10.2 Technology Description
Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a broadcast system, operating in the VHF
maritime mobile band. It is capable of sending and receiving ship information such as
identification, position, course, speed and more, to and from other ships and to and from
shore. The AIS therefore allows an efficient exchange of navigational data between ships
and between ships and shore stations, thereby improving the safety of navigation. The
system is used primarily for surveillance and safety of navigation purposes in ship-to-ship
use, ship reporting and vessel traffic service applications. It can also be used for other
maritime safety related communications. The system is autonomous, automatic and
continuous and operates primarily in a broadcast mode, but also assigned and
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