Ofcom confirms changes to UK maritime spectrum licences

On 23 October 2026, Ofcom published its statement, "Review of UK Maritime Spectrum Licences", setting out its final decisions to update the UK's maritime spectrum licensing framework. The statement follows Ofcom's consultation of 25 March 2026, which closed on 3 June 2026, and is accompanied by a draft of the updated Ship Radio and Ship Portable Radio licence terms and conditions.

The changes are intended to implement internationally agreed spectrum arrangements (including those agreed at the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2019 (WRC-19) and in ECC Decisions (19)03 and (22)02) in order to support new maritime technologies and simplify some existing licences. Ofcom describes the decisions as the first phase of its maritime modernisation programme.

Background

Maritime radio is used primarily for the safety of life, safe navigation and the protection of vessels. Under section 8(1) of the UK Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (the "WT Act"), it is an offence to establish or use a wireless telegraphy station, or install or use wireless telegraphy apparatus, without a licence from Ofcom (unless the use is licence-exempt). Ofcom received six responses to its March consultation, from stakeholders including the Port of London Authority, the Royal Yachting Association, the General Lighthouse Authorities, the UK Chamber of Shipping, the Cruising Association and Telenor Maritime AS.

Key decisions

Phasing out legacy MOB AIS devices: Ofcom will phase out UK authorisations for legacy Man-Overboard Automatic Identification System (MOB AIS) devices, which use channels AIS1 and AIS2 but lack Digital Selective Calling (DSC) capability. From 31 January 2027, Ofcom will no longer authorise new use of these devices. Equipment authorised before that date may continue to be used until 31 December 2031, after which its use will no longer be authorised and continued use would breach licence terms. Licensees should instead use Class M compliant DSC MOB devices. Notably, Ofcom has extended its originally proposed end date (31 December 2030) by a year, following concerns from the Cruising Association and UK Chamber of Shipping that the original timeline was commercially aggressive.

Autonomous Maritime Radio Devices (AMRD): The Ship Radio and Ship Portable Radio licence terms will be updated, by way of a new footnote, to make clear that AMRD Group A devices (those that enhance the safety of navigation) are authorised under those licences. A draft, marked-up copy of the licence terms has been published by Ofcom. AMRD Group B devices are authorised separately under the Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 2021, as amended.

VHF Data Exchange System (VDES): VDE-Terrestrial and VDE-Satellite channels will be added to the Ship Radio licence terms and equipment lists, enabling UK-registered vessels to use VDES overseas where available (and subject to the relevant administration’s requirements) from early 2027. Ofcom has decided not to make proposals on VDES for UK coastal stations at this stage, given mixed stakeholder views and ongoing international work; a further consultation is expected, likely not before 2027.

AIS licence: Ofcom plans to add two Application Specific Messaging (ASM) channels, ASM1 (161.95 MHz) and ASM2 (162.00 MHz), to the AIS licence. These must be used only for ASM, in accordance with ITU-R Recommendation M.2092-2, and are restricted to priority 2 so that AIS messages take priority. The AIS licence will also be updated to permit Mobile Aids to Navigation (M-AtoNs), which must use a unique Ofcom-assigned Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) and require prior approval from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Coastal Station Radio (International) licence: To ease localised congestion on simplex channels, Ofcom will make the lower frequency portions of channels 27 (157.350 MHz) and 28 (157.400 MHz) available for simplex assignments in early 2027, on a first-come, first-served basis. These will no longer be available for duplex assignments, and Ofcom is engaging directly with the single affected licensee on alternative arrangements. Existing licensees wishing to use the new simplex channels must request a licence variation. 

DGPS licence: The Differential Global Positioning System licence is being decommissioned, as the service is no longer operated in the UK. Existing licensees have agreed to surrender their licences, and Ofcom will continue to protect the DGPS use for the foreseeable future. 

Maritime Radio (Suppliers and Demonstration) licence: Ofcom will update outdated information (including the contact details of authorities to be notified before testing distress frequencies) and modernise the licence terms. The changes include replacing temporary-location notification to Ofcom with six-month location record retention, and extending emergency-use provisions. Licensees should check the revised terms and testing contacts when published.

Next steps

The AIS and Suppliers and Demonstration licence changes require Ofcom to vary all existing licences under Schedule 1 of the WT Act. This affects 521 AIS licences and 64 Suppliers and Demonstration licences. Ofcom expects to publish a General Notice in November 2026, open for representations for 8 weeks, and to make its final decision on the variations in February 2027.

The Ship Radio and Ship Portable Radio changes will be implemented through an updated licence terms and conditions booklet, which will also reflect Ofcom's recent decision on maritime Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM). These changes will apply to new licences in early 2027, and existing licensees can request a variation online.

Looking further ahead, Ofcom expects to consult in 2027 on further proposals to streamline and modernise the Ship Radio and Ship Portable Radio licences, and will continue to monitor international developments on maritime autonomous surface ships and digital VHF.

Operators, equipment manufacturers and suppliers should review their equipment portfolios ahead of the 31 January 2027 cut-off, and AIS and Suppliers and Demonstration licensees should look out for the General Notice in November. If you would like to discuss how these changes may affect you, please get in touch with Jacqueline Vallat, Ian Stevens or Prash Mehta.