Technologie i telekomunikacja · 10/08/2004

Maritime Communications

In this document, the Commission addresses petitions for rulemaking that were filed by Maritel, Inc. (Maritel), a VHF public coast (VPC) station licensee, on May 16, 2003, and Mobex Network Services, LLC (Mobex), an automated maritime telecommunications system (AMTS) station licensee, on June 13, 2003. Both petitions seek additional flexibility for public coast station licensees. The Commission proposes to amend its rules to permit VPC and AMTS licensees to provide private mobile radio service to units on land. The proposed rule changes further the Commission's ongoing goal of establishing a regulatory framework that will enhance operational flexibility and enable maritime spectrum licensees to compete more effectively against other commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) providers. The Commission tentatively concludes that the actions proposed herein will not adversely affect the essential purpose of the Maritime Services to promote safety of life and property at sea and on inland waterways. At the same time, the Commission tentatively concludes that Maritel's suggested broader rule changes, which would permit VPC licensees essentially to choose whether or not to comply with variou