IPC-2-3-08 - Use of Non-Maritime Mobile Frequencies by Maritime Mobile Stations

Issue 2
July 2007

Internal Procedures Circular

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The intent of this document is to provide guidance when licensing vessels utilizing non-maritime frequency assignments.

Preface

Internal Procedures Circulars are issued for the guidance of departmental staff. Although intended for internal use only, they are also available to the public. The information contained in these circulars is subject to change without notice. It is therefore suggested that interested persons consult the nearest district office of Industry Canada for additional details. While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure accuracy, no warranty is expressed or implied. As well, these circulars have no status in law.

Comments and suggestions may be directed to the following address: 

Industry Canada
Radiocommunications and
Broadcasting Regulatory Branch
300 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0C8

Attention: DOSP

E-mail: spectrum_pubs@ic.gc.ca

All Spectrum Management and Telecommunications publications are available on the following website: http://strategis.gc.ca/spectrum.

Contents

1. Intent
2. Mandate
3. Policy
   • 3.1 Background
   • 3.2 Frequency Use
   
   
4. Procedure
   • 4.1 Licence Issuance
   
   
5. Exemption
6. Fees
7. Technical Requirements
   • 7.1 Power Limits
   • 7.2 Station Location
   
   

1. Intent

The intent of this document is to provide guidance when licensing vessels utilizing non-maritime frequency assignments.

2. Mandate

Section 5 of the Radiocommunication Act states that the Minister may issue radio licences with respect to radio apparatus.

3. Policy

3.1 Background

Certain licensees, engaged in non-maritime mobile service activities, may require communications with vessels during the course of their day-to-day operations for various purposes such as: 

1. dispatch of tug boats, coordination of fishing fleets, ship docking, etc.;
   
   
2. interconnection through HF, VHF and UHF base stations providing access to the public switched telephone network;
   
   
3. the aeronautical mobile service - search/rescue/antipollution operations; and
   
   
4. the amateur service - personal communications.

3.2 Frequency Use

Applicants will be encouraged to use frequencies from the Canadian maritime mobile service plan, (see Regulation by Reference 2 (previously RIC-13) Technical Requirements for the Operation of Mobile Stations in the Maritime Service (RBR-2)). Applicants who operate a fleet of vessels will be encouraged to use simplex commercial frequencies from the plan.

Applicants who also operate mobile or portable units in the land mobile service or whose operation does not lend itself to the use of standard maritime mobile service frequencies may be assigned a frequency from the land mobile bands.

Although the Department will endeavour to assign different channels to competitive companies subject to spectrum availability, simplex assignments may be made to companies on a shared basis.

Communications shall be on a secondary, non-interference basis in the land mobile service and the assignments will be subject to withdrawal should complaints be received regarding interference caused to stations in the primary service.

4. Procedure

4.1 Licence Issuance

All authorities for the use of non-safety communication radio equipment shall be on a strict non-interference basis with reference to the ship's safety communication and navigation equipment.

Vessels which have been authorized to operate in the maritime mobile service may have those licences endorsed for a land mobile frequency assignment.

Vessels which do not require a marine radio licence (ie: Canadian waters only) but use land mobile frequencies will require a land mobile licence.

5. Exemption

The exemption from licensing of maritime mobile stations under Section 15.2 of the Radiocommunication Regulations does not apply to frequencies which are not in the maritime mobile service or the radiodetermination service.

6. Fees

There is no additional licence fee for mobile stations operating in the maritime service whose licences have been endorsed for participation in other services.

7. Technical Requirements

All non-experimental radio equipment must be either type-approved or technically accepted, based on the appropriate Radio Standards Specification (RSS) for the frequency band and nature of service.

7.1 Power Limits

The assigned power should be the minimum required to provide the service, but shall not exceed 30 watts e.r.p. for stations operating in the VHF/UHF land mobile bands and 1 000 watts output power for stations operating in the bands 1.6-28 MHz.

7.2 Station Location

For stations holding mobile licences in the land mobile service, the licences should indicate the units' approved area of operation and the vessel(s) with which the units are normally associated.