FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

6.15 Maritime Communications Spectral Efficiency
Development Impact on Spectrum Comment
LF Communications
LF DGPS Available for other services in
medium to long term
MF Communications
Digital introduction and decreased
use
HF Communications
Digital introduction and decreased
use
VHF Communications
12.5 kHz channelling or digital
introduction.
UHF Communications
On board maritime
Introduce 12.5 kHz channelling on
all 10 channels
MF Spectrum may be freed in the
long term.
Premature to consider HF spectrum
decrease.
More efficient use of existing
spectrum
Eventually spectrum efficiency
improved by around 40% taking
account of reduced range
Introduction of SRDs Very little if ISM bands used. More
impact if regional solutions used.
IMT-2000 at 2 GHz Possible reduction in coverage of
coastal waters compared with
GSM900
Review desirable.
Consideration for use by
broadcasting. Dependent on
DGNSS
Review of 415 – 526.5 kHz
desirable. Non-civil
requirements in HF spectrum.
Consideration of adaptive
digital techniques. NVIS
propagation.
Digital Email services and
adaptive techniques. NVIS
propagation in low HF.
Consider a reduction in
maritime spectrum
Problems may occur in interim
period
Consider introduction of IMT-
2000 at 900 MHz.
Table 6-7 Maritime Communications Spectral Efficiency
6.16 The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at
Sea (SOLAS Convention)
The GMDSS is an internationally recognised distress and safety radiocommunication
system for ships replacing the previous safety system which relied on Morse telegraphy
on 500 kHz and on radiotelephony on 2182 kHz and on VHF channel 16 (156.8 MHz).
The GMDSS is an automated ship-shore-system using digital selective calling on
terrestrial frequencies as well as satellites. The GMDSS is mandated for ships
internationally by the SOLAS Convention, an international treaty concluded by the
member states of the International Maritime Organisation, a United Nations specialised
agency, and was instrumental in the development of the GMDSS. The procedures
governing the use are contained in the ITU Radio Regulations and in ITU-R
Recommendations. The GMDSS became operational on 1 st February 1999.
The relevant provisions of the SOLAS Convention apply to cargo ships of 300 gross tons
and over when travelling on international voyages or in the open sea and to all passenger
ships carrying more than twelve passengers when travelling on international voyages or
in the open sea. It is also applicable to various classes of fishing vessels. The specific
Page 240