Briefing Note

Our Ref: C/ITU/WP5B/18-243 Briefing Note to ITU-R WP 5B Representatives – digital maritime communications 1. BACKGROUND IALA, through the work of the experts of the Communications Working Group of the IALA ENAV Committee, continues to advance its work to create the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) to provide the first world-wide standard communication channel to support e-Navigation. At ENAV22, input documents related to digital maritime communications were reviewed, revised and approved for forwarding to the next ITU-R WP 5B meeting, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, 5-11 November, 2018. The focus discussions included ongoing work on the VDES, including the VDE-SAT and Autonomous Maritime Radio Devices (AMRDs). This briefing note is to bring your attention to the documents in advance of the meeting. 2. DOCUMENTS FOR ITU-R WP5B – NOVEMBER 2018 MEETING IALA has prepared the following documents for consideration by ITU-R WP5B: 1. Liaison note on Autonomous Maritime Radio Devices (AMRD) operating in the frequency band 156-162.05 MHz. Comments: AtoN and MAtoN are not considered to be AMRD, and that IALA has guidelines and recommendations on both AtoN and MAtoN. The numbering system proposed for AMRD Group A could cause confusion with existing AIS devices. In addition, IALA considers that a symbol for AMRD which is substantially different to other symbols, is required. Desired outcome: Further consideration is given to the numbering scheme for AMRD. 2. Liaison note – Working Document Towards a Preliminary Draft New Report ITU-R M.[VDES-SAT] with proposed revisions in track changes. Comments: The World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) approved the allocation of frequencies for the terrestrial component of VDES (ASM and VDE-TER) but requested further compatibility and sharing studies between the satellite component of VDES (VDE-SAT) and other services in the same, and in the adjacent, frequency bands. The decision to allocate frequencies for VDE-SAT was deferred until WRC-19, subject to further studies including consideration of alternative frequency plans for VDE-SAT. IALA has provided contributions to the on-going compatibility and sharing studies for VDE-SAT to all ITU-R WP 5B meeting since WRC-15, addressing questions raised by providing analyses to show compatibility with incumbent services. The results of the studies are included in the latest version of the Working Document Towards Preliminary Draft New Report ITU-R M.[VDES-SAT], as prepared by ITU-R WP 5B in May 2018 (ITU-R Doc. 5B/538 (Annex 27)). For the upcoming meeting of ITU-R WP 5B in November 2018, IALA has prepared a contribution to address the remaining questions and propose that the report is forwarded to ITU-R SG 5 for approval and publication. Furthermore, IALA ENAV committee has prepared a Draft IALA Position on WRC-19 Agenda Item 1.9.2 for approval by the IALA Council. This Draft IALA position is attached. Desired outcome: Support for the satellite component of the VDES, noting that, for VDES to be truly global, the satellite link is required. Review and support the modifications identified by IALA in their contribution to the upcoming meeting of ITU-R WP 5B in November 2018. Support the proposal to forward the report to ITU-R SG 5 for approval and publication. 3. PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR WRC-2023 WRC-2019 will identify agenda items to be considered for WRC-2023. IALA has identified the following areas for study:  to consider, based on the results of ITU studies, regulatory actions provide a means to accommodate digital systems in the VHF maritime mobile band, noting existing standards that apply to digital voice services described in ETSI TS 102 658 and ETSI EN 300 720, which are already used on vessels.  to consider, based on the results of ITU studies, regulatory actions provide for radionavigation allocation for VDES R-mode, noting the current studies into resilient position, navigation and timing using R-mode. 4. ACTION REQUESTED Delegates to ITU-R WP 5B are invited to take note of the work of IALA on digital maritime radio communications and, where possible, support the papers through interventions. In addition, experts in digital radio communications are invited to participate in the work of IALA on VDES. With kind regards IALA Secretariat