Maritime Communications

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) amends its rules to afford licensees of VHF Public Coast (VPC) stations and Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS) stations additional operational flexibility to provide service to units on land. Specifically, the Commission adopts rule changes to permit VPC and AMTS licensees to offer private correspondence service to units on land, i.e., private land mobile radio (PLMR) service, in addition to the public correspondence service they already are authorized to provide to units on land. These rule amendments will enable VPC and AMTS licensees to compete more effectively against other commercial mobile radio service providers; facilitate more efficient use of VPC and AMTS spectrum; and provide an additional means to meet growing demand for spectrum by PLMR licensees and end users, including public safety and critical infrastructure industry entities. The Commission also believes that the core purpose for which these frequencies have been allocated is to serve the communications needs of marine vessels, especially with respect to communications in support of the safety of life and property at sea and on inland waterways.