1. SADC WRC-15 Preparatory Meeting
AGENDA 1.16
Consideration of regulatory provisions and spectrum allocations to enable possible new AIS technology applications and new applications to improve maritime radio communications in accordance with Res. 653 (WRC-12)
By Namibia

2. Relevant Resolution Resolution 360:
Consideration of regulatory provisions and spectrum allocations for enhanced Automatic Identification System technology applications and for enhanced maritime radio communication

3. Frequency Bands Under Consideration
MHz – MHz

4. KEY Positions from Regional Groups
APT
Supports the ITU-R studies towards new applications using AIS and enhanced maritime radio communications in the maritime mobile services in accordance with Res.360 (WRC-12).
The frequency band identified for VDES should accommodate the expected future AIS VDL loading
Supports the frequency band identified by WRC-12 for digital modulation could be considered as possible candidates for the global and regional allocation for VDE.
Transitional arrangements are required to minimize the impact of use of new applications on existing services using frequencies listed in RR Appendix 18. The VDES equipment should be backwards compatibility for existing AIS, the installation costs should be minimized and the proper transitional period should be considered.

5. KEY Positions from Regional Groups
CEPT
The implementation of the Concept of the VDES which contains a VDE terrestrial component, a satellite component and an ASM component would enhance maritime radio communications.
No modification should be required to existing AIS equipment on board existing vessels and the integrity of the original operational purposed of AIS as the primary function on the existing AIS frequencies should be protected.
A combination of channels 24, 25, 84 and 85 could be a possible solution for the terrestrial component for the future VDES
Consider a new secondary allocation to the MMSS service in both the down- and uplink directions while ensuring the protection of existing terrestrial and radio astronomy services. The provisions 5.208A and 5.208B are proposed to be modified in order to quote the frequency band where VDES is intended to operate. The VDES downlink has to fulfill these modified provisions to ensure compatibility with RAS

6. KEY Positions from Regional Groups
CEPT (cont.)
A satellite component should use frequencies should use frequencies within the appendix 18 close to AIS1 and AIS2 so that the same equipment as for VDES can be used. Therefore the downlink could comprise the following combination of channels 1024, 1025, 2026, 2084, 2085 and The uplink could comprise the following combination of channels 1024, 1025, 1026, 1084, 1085, 1086 and the frequencies ASM1(channel 2027) and ASM2 (Channel 2028)
ATU
Recognised the importance of AIS and supports any allocation improving AIS, however specific bands are to be identified after the available of the ongoing studies
Citel
Canada – Supports studies to determine the need for additional spectrum and if required what frequency band would be appropriate for additional applications using AIS technology.
USA – support modification of RR Appendix 18 to specify channels 2078, 2019, 2079 and 2020 are not available for transmitting from ships to protect AIS receivers

7. Methods to satisfy the Agenda Item
Issue A: Application specific message designation
Method A1
RR Appendix 18 channels 27 and 28 will be split into 4 simplex channels- channels 1027, 1028, 2027 and Channel 2027 and 2028 will be assigned for ASM application. To prevent blocking of the reception of the channels AIS1 and AIS2, 2027 and 2028, the transmission from ship on channels 2078, 2019,2079 and 2020 will not be permitted. This will be achieved through a transitional period and an effective date to be decided at WRC-15.
Method A2
RR Appendix 18 simplex channels 87 and 88 will be assigned for ASM application with an effective date to be decided at WRC-15

8. Methods to satisfy the Agenda Item
Issue B: New applications for maritime radio communications – terrestrial component
Method B1
It is proposed to identify duplex channels 24, 84, 25 and 85 of RR Appendix 18 to introduce the terrestrial component of VDES. It is further proposed that the merging of these channels will permit a better data rate for the VDE terrestrial component through Note AAA in RR Appendix 18.
Method B2
Channels 24, 84, 25, 85, 26 and 86 in RR Appendix 18 could be used for global harmonised VDE testing and experiments for the terrestrial and satellite component of VDES.

9. Methods to satisfy the Agenda Item
Issue C: New applications for maritime radio communications – satellite component
Method C1
It is proposed to create a new secondary allocation for the maritime Mobile-satellite service (Earth-to-space) for the frequency band MHz (channel 2027) and frequency band MHz (channel 2028) for improved ASM communications capacity and coverage.
It is proposed to create a new secondary allocation for the maritime Mobile-satellite service (Earth-to-space) for the frequency band MHz (channels 1024, 1084, 1025, 1085, 1026 and 1086).
It is proposed to create a new secondary allocation for the maritime Mobile-satellite service (space-to-Earth) for the frequency band MHz (channels 2024, 2084, 2025, 2085, 2026 and 2086) for improved VDE communications capacity and coverage.
Coordination of VDE space stations of the MMSS (space-to-Earth) with respect to terrestrial services is described in modification of RR Appendix 5, proposing a PFD mask.
It is proposed to modify provision RR No B in order to ensure the protection of the nearest RAS band.
To protect the RAS, Annex 1 to Res 739(Rev.WRC-07) will be revised to include
new space services in the frequency band MHz.

10. Methods to satisfy the Agenda Item
Issue C: New applications for maritime radio communications – satellite component
Method C2
It is proposed to use the frequency band MHz (Earth-to-space) for the purpose of VDES satellite uplink(improvement of VDE communications capacity and coverage, ASM communications capacity and coverage) as the band is already allocated for MSS.
It is proposed to use the frequency band MHz (space-to-Earth) for the purpose of the VDES satellite downlink as the band is already allocated for MSS
Will require no additional allocations and RR changes.

11. Methods to satisfy the Agenda Item
Issue D: VDES regional Solution
Method D
Channels 80, 21, 81, 22, 82, 23 and 83 are available in some Regions as follows-
Channels 80, 21, 81 and 22 can be used using multiple 25 kHz contiguous channels for both ship and coast station transmission on a regional basis
Channel 82 can be used for both ship and coast station transmission on a regional basis.
Channel 23 and 83 can be used using multiple 25 kHz contiguous channels for both ship and coast station transmission on a regional basis.

12. Results of the studies by ITU-R Study Groups
Results of studies are as follows-
a) Study of VHF data link loading
The various studies have concluded that the loading levels in some high traffic areas have already exceeded the critical level of 50% and more are expected to exceed the level in the near future. It is proposed to designate channels for ASM in RR Appendix 18.
AIS Blocking
Studies indicated that AIS1 and AIS2 are in close proximity to channels 2078, 2019, 2079 and The use of these 4 channels for maritime radio communications may block the ship’s AIS receiver resulting in a negative impact on the ship’s AIS safety and navigation. It is proposed to modify the provisions of channels 2078, 2019, 2079 and 2020 in RR Appendix 18 to indicate those channels are not available for transmitting from ships.

13. Results of the studies by ITU-R Study Groups
Results of studies are as follows-
Study of review of channels for terrestrial component of VDES
Adjacent VHF channels can be merged as 50 kHz channel(s) or 100 kHz channel comprising a contiguous frequency and are thus amendable to protection by a single selective filter in the receiver.
Studies have indicated that the coordination levels already in use are sufficient to permit the sharing of spectrum between maritime terrestrial and non-maritime terrestrial services.
Channels 24, 84, 24, 85 ,26 and 86 in RR Appendix 18 could be allocated for global harmonised VDE applications in accordance with the outcomes of WRC-12.
Channels 80, 21, 81, 22, 82, 23 and 83 in RR Appendix 18 could be allocated for regional or national VDE applications.
Studies on channel plan A, B and C is documented in the Report ITU-R M.[VDES-SELECT] and based on its performance channel plan A was selected.

14. Results of the studies by ITU-R Study Groups
Results of studies are as follows-
Study of possible frequencies for satellite component of VDES
Frequencies already allocated for MSS ( MHz) will not require additional studies or regulatory actions to introduce the VDES satellite component
Sharing frequencies in the frequency band MHz for the VDES satellite component between satellite downlink and terrestrial services shows that compatibility could be feasible if PFD levels will be established in order to protect primary services
In addition epfd thresholds -238 dB(w/m2)/2.95 MHz should be guaranteed to protect radio astronomy(RA) stations from unwanted emissions of MSS space stations operating in all or parts of the frequency band MHz in Region 1.

15. Preliminary positions
Issue
SADC
EACO
ATU
Issue A – Application specific message designation A2
TBD
Issue B – New applications for maritime radiocommunication – terrestrial component B2
Issue C – New application for maritime radiocommunication – satellite component C2
Issue D - VDES regional solution D

16. END