Whether used for communications, navigation or radio location, radio is essential to the safety and efficiency of aeronautical and maritime operations. Advances in applications, technologies and regulation often require extensive testing and/or international agreement prior to deployment with the result that change can appear to be relatively slow. However, both sectors are continually advancing their use of the spectrum. For shipping the Automatic Identification System (AIS) is being introduced. Based on GPS this system provides a new way of tracking and identifying vessels, and of locating aids to navigation. In the aeronautical sector, VHF communications using 8.33 kHz bandwidths are being introduced, and on the regulatory side, greater use of spectrum pricing is being considered.

Quotient’s consultants have undertaken a number of aeronautical and maritime assignments, including:

• Evaluating and modelling the introduction of AIS in UK waters on behalf of Ofcom, determining the spectrum requirements, and identifying the coordination required between UK competent authorities and overseas regulatory authorities
• Advising The Eurocontrol Agency on the implications and effects of spectrum pricing in different aeronautical bands