[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 126 (Friday, June 30, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34198-34200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16077]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 2, 80, 87, and 90
[WT Docket No. 92-257, FCC 95-177]
Maritime Communications
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Commission has adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rule
Making which seeks to provide adaptive regulations and improve radio
communications capabilities in the maritime services. Specifically, the
Commission has proposed rules to require a minimum digital selective
calling (DSC) capability on all MF, HF, and VHF radios, permit VHF
public coast stations to provide automated services to vessels and, on
a secondary basis, to vehicles on land, permit inter-service sharing of
maritime frequencies, permit maritime licensees to share VHF band
private land mobile spectrum, permit Automatic Link Establishment (ALE)
in the maritime and aviation services, permit ship-to-ship and ship-to-
private coast station facsimile communications, and (eliminate certain
unnecessary regulatory burdens on the boating public. This action stems
from the Commission's Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Notice of
Inquiry in PR Docket 92-257 which sought public comment regarding ways
to provide a more flexible regulatory framework for the maritime
services. Thus, the proposed rules should promote the use of advanced
radio communications techniques on marine frequencies, eliminate
unnecessary regulatory
[[Page 34199]]
burdens, and promote the efficient use of maritime and aviation
spectrum.
DATES: Comments must be filed on or before September 22, 1995, and
reply comments must be filed on or before November 21, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street NW.,
Washington, DC 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Roger Noel of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-0680.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's
Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, PR Docket No. 92-257, FCC 95-
177, adopted April 26, 1995, and released, May 25, 1995. The full text
of this Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making is available for
inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC
Reference Center (Room 239) 1919 M Street, NW, Washington, DC. The
complete text may be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor,
International Transcription Services, 2100 M Street NW., Washington, DC
20037, telephone (202) 857-3800.
Summary of Notice of Proposed Rule Making
1. The Commission initiated the instant proceeding to update the
maritime service rules to promote the use of new, spectrally efficient
radio communications techniques. Maritime safety communication is a
global issue, and thus, the Commission's maritime service rules are, in
large part, based on requirements found in the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations and the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (Safety Convention).
Therefore, the maritime services have been slow in implementing state
of the art communications techniques found in most other land mobile
radio services. In order to permit the implementation of such new
technologies, the Commission is proposing broad changes as follows:
2. First, the Commission proposes to require a minimum digital
selective calling (DSC) capability on all newly manufactured or
imported MF, HF, and VHF radiotelephone transmitters by February 1,
1997. The minimum requirements would apply to newly installed
transmitters after February 1, 1999. DSC is an international system for
digital signalling to automatically set up marine transmissions. After
February 1, 1999, all U.S. compulsory vessels (large cargo ships and
passenger ships) will be required to carry DSC equipment in order to
facilitate international search and rescue efforts at sea. A minimum
DSC requirement would increase safety at sea by providing a means for
small vessels to send distress alerts to nearby ships and coast
stations.
3. Second, the Commission proposes to permit VHF public coast
stations to provide automated service to vessels using any
communications protocol readily available in the public domain.
Further, the proposed rules would permit VHF public coast stations to
serve vehicles on land, as a secondary service to maritime
communications. Currently, public coast stations use a live marine
operator to connect marine VHF radios and the public switched telephone
network. Some public coast stations are permitted, by waiver, to serve
vehicles on land. By permitting automation and expansion of coast
station services, the proposed rules should increase the number of
state of the art communications alternatives available to boaters while
promoting competition among coast stations, cellular, and satellite
communications providers.
4. Third, the Commission proposes intra-service and inter-service
frequency sharing for maritime licensees. Under the intra-service
sharing proposal, private coast stations could apply for unassigned
public correspondence frequencies in the 2 MHz band. Similarly, the
inter-service sharing proposal would permit public coast stations to
apply for unassigned private land mobile frequencies in coastal areas
far from Railroad Radio Service and Motor Carrier Radio Service
licensees. Both sharing proposals should promote more efficient use of
the radio spectrum without causing harmful interference to existing
licensees.
6. Fourth, the Commission proposes to permit Automatic Link
Establishment (ALE) in the 2-27.5 MHz maritime and aviation bands.
These quality of communications in these bands is highly correlated to
sporadic atmospheric changes and thus, experienced operators are
currently needed to ensure speedy communications. ALE equipment
measures the quality of all channels and quickly selects the best
available medium. Further, ALE should promote the increased use of the
MF and HF maritime and aviation bands by simplifying communications
procedures.
7. Fifth, the Commission proposes to permit facsimile transmissions
on marine VHF channel 68 (156.425 MHz) in Alaska between ships and
between ships and private coast stations. Currently, only voice
communications are authorized in the private marine VHF band. The
proposed rules should broaden the range of communications mediums
available to ships while not causing harmful interference in the marine
VHF band.
8. Finally, the Commission proposes several changes to the maritime
service rules in an effort to eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens
to the marine community. The proposed rules should decrease regulatory
burdens for coast stations and ship station licensees.
5. Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Reason for Action
The Commission proposes to (1) allow public coast stations to
install equipment which will provide automatic interconnection between
marine radios and the public switched telephone network, (2) authorize
intra-service sharing of certain maritime frequencies by eliminating
the public/private coast station distinction in the MF band and the
commercial/non-commercial distinction in the VHF maritime band, (3)
permit public coast stations to serve land vehicles on a secondary
basis, (4) impose a minimum Digital Selective Calling requirement on
future marine radios, (5) relax restrictions on narrow-band direct
printing to take advantage of advances in technology, and (6) allow
maritime sharing of certain Private Land Mobile frequencies.
Objectives
We seek to (1) remove restrictions on maritime communications which
have caused uneven use of marine communications channels, (2) promote
efficiency and competitiveness for marine coast stations, (3) make
better use of currently unused or underused portions of the spectrum,
and (4) take advantage of new technologies in maritime communications.
Legal Basis
The proposed action is authorized under Sections 4(i) and 303(r) of
the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. Secs. 154(i) and 303(r).
Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Compliance Requirements
Our proposed amendment to 47 C.F.R. Sec. 80.405(c) would provide
certain licensees with an alternative method to meet a current license-
posting requirement.
Federal Rules Which Overlap, Duplicate or Conflict With These Rules
None.
[[Page 34200]]
Description, Potential Impact, and Small Entities Involved
Inter- and intra-service sharing of frequencies would allow better
utilization of the radio spectrum, reduce congestion in the most
crowded parts of the marine radio spectrum. Allowing automatic
interconnection to the public switched telephone network and service of
land vehicles from public coast stations would allow public coast
stations, many of which are small businesses, to compete more
efficiently in the communications marketplace. Requiring marine radios
to be equipped with minimum DSC capability and relaxing narrow-band
direct printing restrictions would take advantage of advances in
technology to increase efficiency in spectrum use.
Any Significant Alternatives Minimizing the Impact on Small Entities
Consistent With the Stated Objectives
None.
List of Subjects
47 CFR Part 2
Radio.
47 CFR Part 80
Communications equipment, Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
47 CFR Part 87
Communications equipment, Radio.
47 CFR Part 90
Communications equipment, Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-16077 Filed 6-29-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M