2. International Civil Aviation Organisation Middle East Office Seminar on Aeronautical Spectrum Management Cairo 4-6 June 2006 Agenda Item 8: HF Planning issues in AFI Presented by Mary Obeng RO/CNS, ICAO Dakar

3. INTRODUCTION Due to increase in VHF coverage, there has been considerable decrease in the use of HF in AFI. However, IFALPA has been complaining of some HF congestion in AFI, notably AFI-3 (11300 KHz) and AFI-4 (8894 KHz). A COM survey was conducted by IFALPA and IATA on VHF and HF coverage in the AFI Region to see how best the congestion could be eased.

4. Objectives of the Survey Establish status of implementation of mobile communications throughout the region Monitor progress in extension of VHF radio coverage Identify deficiencies in aeronautical mobile service coverage Assess problems of congestion on mobile frequencies and the extent to which they are used for ground/ground coordination Provide information to the COM/SG which will be useful in planning the improvement of air/ground communications

5. The Survey Form Call sign: Origin: Date: Aircraft type: Destination: Signed: Position: Time:zFlight Level: Communications information ATS Unit: StrengthClarityCongestion Fre- quency: VHF (SEE NOTE 3) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 - 5 Low – Medium - High HF 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 - 5 Low – Medium - High Was the frequency apparently in use for ground/ground co-ordination?Yes No Comments:

6. IATA Mobile Communications Survey - 2000 Last Survey made in 1994 Responding to decision 4/16 of COM SG/4 Survey conducted in cooperation between IATA & IFALPA Dates – 20 April – 30 May 2000 More than 1140 pilot reports received Analysis by IATA Regional Office using Access database

7. Main Conclusions Higher proportion of calls are being made on VHF compared to 1994 HF still the only means available in significant portions of the AFI Region en route Noticeable improvement in average quality of communications, in line with increased availability of VHF Some reduction in congestion on AFI-4 family of frequencies but severe congestion persists on AFI-3 (11300Khz) Congestion directly associated to lack of VHF cover and non availability of ATS/DS

8. Use of VHF 1994 - 2000 HF VHF 1994 - 37% of reports – VHF 2000 – 54% of reports - VHF VHF EXTENTIONS IN SOUTHERN AND EASTERN AFI ALSO ACCRA LUANDA,NDJAMENA,KANO,NIAMEY,TUNIS FIRS

9. Percentage Use of VHF by FIR - 2000

10. Strength 1994 vs 2000 Quality of Communications

11. Clarity 1994 vs 2000 Quality of Communications

12. 3x3 or better Quality 1994 vs 2000 1994 - 63% of reports 3x3 or better 2000 – 79% or reports 3x3 or better

13. Quality by FIR - 2000

14. Deficiencies in Mobile Coverage The survey identifies those positions where mobile communications deficiencies occur Following slides show positions where repetitive reports indicate difficulties in air/ground communication in both HF and VHF All reports used in these slides indicate quality of communication less than 3x3

15. Deficiencies in Mobile coverage Abidjan MISLA Luanda Alger ATAFA; Djanet; MOKAT; NSL; RAZEL; ROFER; Khartoum ALVOR; ME; Malakal;

16. Kinshasa Buta Zega; KIBRO; MERON; SOBTO; TALAC; USDUP Ndjamena MERON Tripoli Kufra; NALUT; SEB; Deficiencies in Mobile coverage

17. HF Frequencies – by number of reports ALG; KAN; NIM; AFI-2 ADD; CAI; KRT; MGQ; NBO; TIP AFI-3 FIH AFI-4 DKR; ROB AFI-1 ACC; ABJ AFI-4 DAR; MRU; SEZ; TNR INO-1 ACC; FIH; GBE; KAN; LAD; NDJ; NIM AFI-4

18. Congestion by FIR Percentage of Reports indicating HIGH congestion - Top Five Percentage of Reports indicating HIGH and/or MEDIUM congestion - Top Five

19. AFI-3 AFI-4 Frequency used for coordination Use of Mobile Frequencies for Coordination INADEQUATE ATS/DS IN AFI-3 IMPLEMENTATION OF VSAT COM/SG/5 DECISION

20. Outcome of the survey By improving aeronautical fixed services, implementation of the NAFISAT network will reduce the use of air-ground frequencies for ATS coordination (e.g. reduction of congestion on HF frequency 11300KHz. NAFISAT MOU has been signed by Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Kenya (Somalia), Civil Aviation Caretaker Authority (CACAS) Seychelles, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Yemen, ATNS and IATA hopefully Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia will join the network. NAFISAT contract already awarded. The network is expected to be operational by 2007.