On 19 March, the European Commission (EC) adopted a Decision which guarantees the availability, in terms of harmonised technical and operational conditions, of GSM radio frequencies in the 900 MHz and/or 1800 MHz bands for communication services on board vessels. Meanwhile, it is ensured that mobile phone use on board vessels will not interfere with land-based systems. At the same time, the EC adopted a Recommendation calling upon Member States of the European Union (EU) to liberalise the authorisation regime, allowing any operator of on board services, authorized in one country, to offer services in the territorial waters of other EU countries without requiring additional licensing.
According to the EC, the use of mobile phones on board vessels consists of small base stations (''pico-cells''), which connect the telephones of passengers to land-based equipment via satellite, whereby user connectivity is guaranteed. This continuous maritime connectivity also paves the way for other applications, such as the real time tracking of cargo ships using remote sensors.
EU Member States have 12 months to adapt these frequency bands and to bring their national legislation into line with the Decision. Member States are also required to ensure that consumers are properly informed about the terms and conditions governing the use of mobile communication services on board vessels.
Further information:
- Commission Decision on harmonised conditions of use of radio spectrum for mobile communication services on board vessels (MCV services) http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/policy/ecomm/radio_spectrum/_document_storage/legislation/mcv/mcv_decision_infocopy.pdf
- Commission Recommendation on the authorisation of systems for MCV services http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/policy/ecomm/radio_spectrum/_document_storage/legislation/mcv/mcv_recommendation_infocopy.pdf
