Report ITU-R M.2231-1 (11/2014) Use of Appendix 18 to the Radio Regulations for the maritime mobile service M Series Mobile, radiodetermination, amateur and related satellite services ii Rep. ITU-R M.2231-1 Foreword The role of the Radiocommunication Sector is to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio- frequency spectrum by all radiocommunication services, including satellite services, and carry out studies without limit of frequency range on the basis of which Recommendations are adopted. The regulatory and policy functions of the Radiocommunication Sector are performed by World and Regional Radiocommunication Conferences and Radiocommunication Assemblies supported by Study Groups. Policy on Intellectual Property Right (IPR) ITU-R policy on IPR is described in the Common Patent Policy for ITU-T/ITU-R/ISO/IEC referenced in Annex 1 of Resolution ITU-R 1. Forms to be used for the submission of patent statements and licensing declarations by patent holders are available from http://www.itu.int/ITU-R/go/patents/en where the Guidelines for Implementation of the Common Patent Policy for ITU-T/ITU-R/ISO/IEC and the ITU-R patent information database can also be found. Series of ITU-R Reports (Also available online at http://www.itu.int/publ/R-REP/en) Series Title BO Satellite delivery BR Recording for production, archival and play-out; film for television BS Broadcasting service (sound) BT Broadcasting service (television) F Fixed service M Mobile, radiodetermination, amateur and related satellite services P Radiowave propagation RA Radio astronomy RS Remote sensing systems S Fixed-satellite service SA Space applications and meteorology SF Frequency sharing and coordination between fixed-satellite and fixed service systems SM Spectrum management Note: This ITU-R Report was approved in English by the Study Group under the procedure detailed in Resolution ITU-R 1. Electronic Publication Geneva, 2015 ITU 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without written permission of ITU. Rep. ITU-R M.2231-1 1 REPORT ITU-R M.2231-1 Use of Appendix 18 to the Radio Regulations for the maritime mobile service (2011-2014) 1 Introduction - A brief history of VHF maritime The use of radio communications, for maritime purposes, has been an important part of ship safety and port operations, for many years. Some of the history even dates back to the early part of the 20th century. At that time, maritime communications were mainly (if not exclusively) in the LF frequency band. Around the 1930s, a paper discussed the use of frequency modulation as a technical solution to interference issues that were experienced in the HF frequency band (Edwin Howard Armstrong (1890-1954): “A method of reducing disturbances in radio signalling by a system of frequency modulation”). Subsequent to that, at the 1938 Radio Regulations Conference (Cairo), this note acknowledged this in the then: Table of Frequency Allocations: “The frequency bands necessary for the various types of transmission, at the present state of technical development, are indicated below. This table is based solely on amplitude modulation. For frequency or phase modulation, the band-widths necessary for the various transmissions are many times greater.” Whilst, there were service allocations in the VHF range at that time: 157-162 MHz mobile regional, 162-170 MHz stations of low power regional, these were not specifically identified for the maritime service. Use of the VHF frequency band, as indicated, for the use by maritime was facilitated through a number of Decisions of ITU Conferences which are included for information only: – 1947: Here specific maritime allocations were made in the frequency band 152-162 MHz. In addition, the identification of 156.8 MHz: for worldwide use for safety, calling, and inter- ship and harbour control communications in the maritime mobile service, was made. – 1959: Introduction of RR Appendix 18, which identified the channels 1-28, as we currently recognize, with a 50 kHz channel or channel spacing. Also at this time the now deleted RR Appendix 19, reflected that phase modulation had to be used. – 1974: World Maritime Administrative Radio Conference transition plans are announced to move from a channel spacing of 50 kHz to that of 25 kHz by modifying transmitters to a maximum deviation of ±5 kHz from 1 January 1972. Modifications for all existing equipment, was to be completed by 1 January 1973 and all new equipment to conform to 25 kHz standards from 1 January 1973. Finally, all equipment was to conform to the 25 kHz standards from 1 January 1983. – 1979: RR saw the introduction of the additional channels; 60-88, which was possible via the earlier recognition of the 25 kHz channelling. Here, it was reflected, that the extra channels derived from the 1967 RRs and was in accordance with Resolution No. Mar 2-14. That Resolution was derived from the World Maritime Administrative Radio Conference in 1974 and gave a plan for the transition from 50 kHz to 25 kHz. – 1983: 1 January 1983 was the date by which all maritime radio equipment, that operate in RR Appendix 18, were required to conform to the 25 kHz standards (Resolution 308 (WRC-79)). – 1987: Since that time the next major global change to RR Appendix 18 was the identification of channel 70 for the use of the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS). This was done at WRC-87 (MOB-87), but whilst 70 was identified for the sole use by GMDSS, in RR Appendix 18, it was not until WRC-03 where the frequency was identified as exclusively maritime mobile via an identification in Article 5 (of the RR). This is an example 2 Rep. ITU-R M.2231-1 of where it should not be inferred that identification in RR Appendix 18 means that the frequency is recognized, formally, as exclusive to the maritime mobile service. – 1997: Next, and probably the most recent change in RR Appendix 18, was the creation and identification of the two channels for the use of the system referred to as; automatic identification system (AIS). Channels AIS 1 and AIS 2, were formally identified at WRC-97. That saw the splitting of the VHF channels 87 and 88 into four single frequencies with the “high” frequencies being used for AIS and the lower two frequencies retained for simplex operation. This change has facilitated the use of AIS which has proved to be a useful and valuable system that assists the management of shipping fleets by companies and those who interact with them around the world. As a consequence of the AIS channel changes, at WRC-97, two additional single frequencies were identified in RR Appendix 18. – 2000: WRC-00 modified RR Appendix 18, to include the addition of note o) against a number of the channels. This note o) permits the possible use, on a national basis, of various channels or frequency bands created by conversion of some duplex channels into simplex channels, for uses such as initial testing and the possible future introduction of new technologies. WRC-00 also updated Resolution 342 for the introduction of new technologies to provide improved efficiency in the use of the frequency band 156-174 MHz by stations in the maritime mobile service. – 2007: WRC-07 modified the following notes: e) to permit administrations to apply 12.5 kHz channel interleaving via coordination with affected administrations. f) to permit aircraft stations to use, in addition to channel 06, channels 70, 16, AIS 1 and AIS 2 for search and rescue operations and additionally, other safety-related communication. l) to acknowledge the worldwide usage of AIS 1 and AIS 2. m) to permit certain two frequency channels to be operated as single frequency channels, subject to coordination with affected administrations. o) to permit these two frequency channels to be used for new technologies, instead of only testing, providing that such systems do not interfere with the detection of AIS signals on 161.975 MHz or 162.025 MHz. WRC-07 also added the following notes: p) to permit the use of AIS 1 and AIS 2 by the mobile-satellite service (Earth-to-space) to receive AIS transmissions from ships. q) requiring precautions when using channels 10 and 11, so as to avoid harmful interference to channel 70. – 2012: WRC-12 modified the following notes: c) to keep the possibility to use certain channels (with the exception of channels 06, 13, 15, 16, 17, 70, 75 and 76) for direct-printing telegraphy and data transmission; e) to permit Administrations to apply 12.5 kHz channel interleaving on a non-interfering basis to the existing 25 kHz frequencies of maritime mobile distress and safety frequencies, automatic identification system (AIS) and data exchange frequencies especially to the channels 06, 13, 15, 16, 17, 70, AIS1 and AIS2; n) to permit the transmission of the long range AIS broadcast message (Message 27; see the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1371), over the channels 75 and 76, while continuing to limit the output power at 1 W for voice communication in order to avoid harmful interference to channel 16. The reference to geographic separation has been removed. Rep. ITU-R M.2231-1 3 WRC-12 also added the following notes: r) in the maritime mobile service, this frequency is reserved for experimental use for future applications or systems (e.g. new AIS applications, man over board systems, etc.). If authorized by administrations for experimental use, the operation shall not cause harmful interference to, or claim protection from, stations operating in the fixed and mobile services; s) channels 75 and 76 are also allocated to the mobile-satellite service (Earth-to-space) for the reception of long-range AIS broadcast messages from ships (Message 27; see the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1371); t) until 1 January 2017, in Regions 1 and 3, the existing duplex channels 78, 19, 79 and 20 can continue to be assigned.