As a result of decisions adopted during the 2012 and 2015 World Radio Conferences certain channels in the maritime VHF band will no longer be available for voice communications in the future. New technologies (VDES) are now being developed for digital communications.
Some implementation dates in the Radio Regulations (RR) have already passed, as a consequence of which certain manufacturers are installing maritime equipment, whereby it is not possible anymore to select specific channels. BIPT wants to inform the sector that till further notice the channels currently assigned must remain available for voice communications.