***RCS WRC --07 Agenda Item Scope and High-Level Work Plan***[^1]

**Agenda Item** **1.16:** to consider the regulatory and operational
provisions for Maritime Mobile Service Identities (MMSIs) for equipment
other than shipborne mobile equipment, taking into account
**Resolutions 344 (Rev.WRC‑03)** and **353 (WRC‑03)**;

**Short Description**: The U.S. position is to modify ITU-R M.585 and
Article **19** to allow for assignment of MMSIs to aeronautical stations
involved in maritime Search and Rescue (SAR). The modifications to ITU-R
M.585 should take into account the potential exhaustion of maritime
identification digits (MIDs) and MMSIs, and compatibility with the
existing system.

**Background**: During WRC-03 this issue received considerable
objections, primarily from CEPT administrations. MMSIs for aeronautical
equipment was first presented by the U.S. at the final CPM and
subsequently discussed and endorsed during a meeting of the IMO. The
main concerns expressed by the CEPT administrations was the belief that
changing the RR during the WRC-03 conference was premature; some ITU-R
studies would be required to ensure that there would be no
incompatibility issues with the existing systems. There was additional
concern that allowing DSC equipment on aircraft might degrade the
effectiveness of the GMDSS.

**Scope of Agenda Item**: This item can produce some controversy and
therefore difficulty. There should be full involvement from the U.S.
Coast Guard, FCC, and FAA. The U.S. should work with CITEL to develop
regional positions and inputs for WRC-07. It is also important for the
Coast Guard, FCC, and FAA to follow and influence the IMO/ICAO process
for maritime/aircraft operational requirements. Type of proposal
considered should include; revised ITU-R M.585, and Article **19**.

**Key technical/regulatory issues to be resolved**: Revision of ITU-R
M.585, and Article **19**. Liaison with IMO and ICAO on operational
issues.

**Key policy issues to be resolved**: FCC notice of rulemaking will be
required before WRC.

**Workplan**:

1.  WP 8B -- U.S. Coast Guard and FCC

2.  CITEL - U.S. Coast Guard

3.  Draft revisions to ITU-R M.585 and Article **19**

4.  Input appropriate revisions for approval by WP 8B.

5.  Draft CPM text.

**Reference Material:** Resolution **344** (Attached)

### WG4 POC: Mr. Fred Mistichelli  {#wg4-poc-mr.-fred-mistichelli .heading_b}

RESOLUTION 344 (Rev.WRC-03)

Management of the maritime mobile service identity numbering resource

The World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 2003),

noting

*a)* that the installation of digital selective calling equipment or
Inmarsat B, C or M ship earth station equipment on ships participating
in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) on a mandatory
or voluntary basis requires the assignment of a unique nine‑digit
maritime mobile service identity (MMSI);

*b)* that such equipment offers the possibility to connect with public
telecommunication networks;

*c)* that only mobile-satellite systems have been able to resolve the
various billing, routeing, charging and signalling requirements needed
to provide full two-way automatic connectivity between ships and the
international public correspondence service;

*d)* that ships using the present generation of mobile-satellite ship
earth stations have to be assigned an MMSI ending with three trailing
zeros in order to support automatic access to public telecommunication
networks through a diallable ship telephone number whose format is
compliant with ITU‑T Recommendation E.164 but can only accommodate the
first six digits of the MMSI;

*e)* that the first three digits of a ship station MMSI form the
maritime identification digits (MID), which denote the ship's
administration or geographical area of origin;

*f)* that each MID only has sufficient capacity to identify 999 ships
using the three-trailing-zero number format, with the result that
widespread use of MMSIs with three trailing zeros will rapidly exhaust
the capacity of each MID,

considering

*a)* that digital selective calling distress alerts require valid
identities recognizable by search and rescue authorities in order to
ensure a timely response;

*b)* that Recommendation ITU‑R M.585 contains guidance for the
assignment of MMSIs,

recognizing

*a)* that even domestic ships which install the present generation of
ship earth stations operating to Inmarsat B, C or M standards will
require the assignment of MMSI numbers from those numbers originally
intended for ships communicating worldwide, further depleting the
resource;

*b)* that future growth of Inmarsat B, C or M ship earth station use by
non‑compulsory ships may further deplete the MMSI and MID resources;

*c)* that future generations of mobile-satellite systems offering access
to public telecommunication networks and participating in the GMDSS will
employ a free-form numbering system that need not include any part of
the MMSI,

noting further

*a)* that ITU‑T has recommended that ITU‑R assume sole responsibility
for managing the MMSI and MID numbering resources;

*b)* that ITU‑R can monitor the status of the MMSI resource, through
regular reviews of the spare capacity available within the MIDs already
in use, and the availability of spare MIDs, taking account of regional
variations,

resolves to instruct the Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau

1 to manage the allotment and distribution of the MID resource within
the MMSI numbering format, taking into account:

-- Sections II, V and VI of Article **19**;

-- regional variations in MMSI use;

-- spare capacity within the MID resource; and

-- the guidelines on MID and MMSI management contained in the most
recent version of Recommendation ITU‑R M.585, in particular as regards
the reuse of MMSIs;

2 to report to each world radiocommunication conference on the use and
status of the MMSI resource, noting in particular the anticipated
reserve capacity and any indications of rapid exhaustion of the
resource,

invites ITU-R

to keep under review the Recommendations for assigning MMSIs, with a
view to:

-- improving the management of the MID and MMSI resources; and

-- identifying alternative resources if there is an indication of rapid
exhaustion of these resources,

instructs the Secretary-General

to communicate this Resolution to the International Maritime
Organization.

**SUP**           COM4/314/79            (B9/328/8)           
(R4/351/131)

[^1]: **Author**: Fred Mistichelli **Document Date**: 3/25/04