FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

Inmarsat was the world’s first global mobile satellite communications operator and is still
the only one to offer a mature range of modern communications services to maritime,
land mobile and aeronautical users. Formed as a maritime-focused intergovernmental
organisation over 20 years ago, it has been a commercial company since 1999. The
public service duties, i.e. the GMDSS function for the maritime community, and air traffic
control communications for the aeronautical community, are supervised by a small
intergovernmental organisation.
6.14.4 Regulatory and Standardisation issues
Coast station equipment for general and for distress and safety use has to comply with
the R&TTE Directive.
Recommendation ITU-R M.830 contains operational procedures for mobile-satellite
networks or systems in the bands 1530-1544 MHz and 1626.5-1645.5 MHz which are
used for distress and safety purposes as specified for GMDSS.
6.14.5 Possible Improvements to Existing Technology, Possible New
Technology (in-band)
Due to the international character of the service, the quasi-monopoly of Inmarsat and the
high cost involved in developing a competitive system there is no room for any national
improvement of the existing technology or the implementation of new technology.
6.14.6 The ESV issue
Resolution 82 of ITU WRC 2000 resolved to invite the ITU-R to continue to study, as a
matter of urgency, the regulatory, technical and operational constraints to be applied to
Earth Stations on Vessels (ESV) operating in the fixed satellite service (FSS); in particular
to determine the appropriate value for the minimum distance from ESV stations beyond
which these stations can be assumed not to have the potential to cause unacceptable
interference to stations of other services of any administration and beyond which no
coordination would be required
A licensing regime for ESVs on board vessels has the potential to provide valuable
services to ships and their passengers and crew, and licensing them, subject to rules for
protecting terrestrial systems from interference in shared bands would enable operators
to make more efficient use of their spectrum. Crews and passengers have come to expect
a similar full range of voice, video, and data communications that they enjoy on land
whilst travelling. With their broad footprints the FSS is well-suited to satisfying these
requirements. In some cases mobile satellites are best equipped to satisfy maritime
communications needs, however, in other instances, the services offered on a fixed
satellite system may be the preferred choice. Mobile satellites and fixed satellites have
different system architectures, coverage patterns, link budgets, service capabilities, and
price structures. To maximize efficiency, enhance flexibility, increase competition, and
improve service options, a regulatory regime could be developed that makes it possible
for the maritime industry to transmit and receive through both types of satellite systems,
and leave it to the consumer to determine which type of system is optimal for particular
service needs.
The regulatory and operational provisions for ESVs transmitting in the 5 925-6 425 MHz
and 14-14.5 GHz bands were determined at ITU WRC-03. It is the responsibility of the
administration that issues the licence for the use of ESVs in these bands to ensure that
such stations do not present any potential to cause unacceptable interference to the
services of other concerned administrations. The minimum distance from a coast line
where ESVs can operate without the prior agreement of any administration are 300 km in
the 5 925-6 425 MHz band and 125 km in the 14-14.5 GHz band.
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