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Based on Paragraph (1) of Article (10) of the Communications and Information Technology Regulation issued by Royal Decree No. (M/106) dated 2/11/1443 AH, which stipulates that the frequency spectrum is a natural revolution owned by the state, The National Frequency Spectrum Plan has been developed, this is to achieve optimal management of this national resource and its use in various services.
This document is issued by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) in accordance with its responsibility established under section three of the Telecommunications Act and the Bylaw to the Telecommunications Act to ensure the efficient management of the radio spectrum in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The words and expressions defined in the Bylaw to the Telecommunications and Information Technology Act shall have the same meaning in this document, unless stated otherwise. For the purposes of this document, the following terms and expressions shall have the meaning assigned to them below:
2.1 ITU service definitions
2.1.1 Maritime radiocommunications service: a radiocommunications service between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations, or between associated on-board communication stations; survival craft stations and emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate in this service.
2.1.2 Maritime mobile service (MMS): a mobile service between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations, or between associated on-board communication stations; survival craft stations and emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate in this service.
2.1.3 Maritime mobile-satellite service (MMSS): a mobile-satellite service in which mobile earth stations are located on board ships; survival craft stations and emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate in this service.
2.1.4 Maritime radionavigation service (RNS): a radionavigation service intended for the benefit and for the safe operation of ships.
2.1.5 Maritime radionavigation-satellite service (RNSS): a radionavigation-satellite service in which earth stations are located on board ships.
2.1.6 Radiolocation service (RLS): a radiodetermination service for the purpose of radiolocation.
2.1.7 Radiolocation-satellite service (RLSS): a radiodetermination-satellite service used for the purpose of radiolocation. This service may also include feeder links necessary for its own operation.
2.1.8 Ship movement service: a safety service in the maritime mobile service other than a port operations service, between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations, in which messages are restricted to those relating to the movement of ships. Messages which are of a public correspondence nature shall be excluded from this service.
2.2 ITU station and system definitions
2.2.1 Coast station: a land station in the maritime mobile service.
2.2.2 Coast earth station: an earth station in the fixed-satellite service or, in some cases, in the maritime mobile-satellite service, located at a specified fixed point on land to provide a feeder link for the maritime mobile-satellite service.
2.2.3 Emergency position-indicating radiobeacon station (EPIRB): a station in the mobile service the emissions of which are intended to facilitate search and rescue operations.
2.2.4 Satellite emergency position-indicating radiobeacon: an earth station in the mobile-satellite service the emissions of which are intended to facilitate search and rescue operations.
2.2.5 Ship station: a mobile station in the maritime mobile service located on board a vessel which is not permanently moored, other than a survival craft station.
Ship earth station: a mobile earth station in the maritime mobile-satellite service located on board ship.
2.3 Communications, navigation and safety systems and other definitions
2.3.1 Automatic Identification System (AIS): automatic tracking system that uses transceivers on ships - broadcasts ship location, identity, course and speed information.
2.3.2 CPICH: Common Pilot Channel. Downlink channel broadcast by Node B with constant power.
2.3.3 Digital Selective Calling (DSC): is a tone signalling system that automatically sends data such as the vessel's identification number and position and operates on VHF Channel 70.
2.3.4 Effective isotropic radiated power (e.i.r.p.): Refers to the total power radiated by a hypothetical isotropic antenna in a single direction. E.i.r.p. corresponds to the maximum power emitted by the antenna in the direction with highest antenna gain.
2.3.5 Global Navigation Satellite Service (GNSS): A general term describing any satellite constellation that provides positioning, navigation and timing services on a global or regional basis.
2.3.6 Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS); a global agreement of protocols on the use of maritime radio apparatus.
2.3.7 Hexadecimal Identity (Hex ID); a fifteen-character hexadecimal ‘number’ used to identify an EPIRB.
2.3.8 High Frequency (HF): Frequencies in the range 3 – 30 MHz.
2.3.9 International Telecommunication Union (ITU); the forum at which the global community agrees rules on the use of radio.
2.3.10 International Maritime Organization (IMO); “specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.”
2.3.11 Medium Frequency (MF); Frequencies in the range 300 kHz to 3 MHz.
2.3.12 Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI); a nine-digit number, to identify ship (and other maritime radio) stations and DSC radio equipment.
2.3.13 NAVDAT: MF radio system, named navigational data (NAVDAT), for use in the maritime mobile service, operating in the 500 kHz band for digital broadcasting of maritime safety and security related information from shore-to-ship.
2.3.14 Navigational Telex (NAVTEX); An international Maritime Safety Information service that provides navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts, warnings about dangers to navigation, warnings of missing vessels and other urgent safety messages.
2.3.15 NM: Nautical miles (1 NM is equivalent to 1.852 kms).
2.3.16 Personal Locator Beacon (PLB): is a personal electronic transmitter used to alert rescuers that there has been a life threatening man overboard (MOB) situation with a need to be rescued. The PLB sends out a signal on either a 406MHz frequency or Local Area System using 121.5MHz, VHF DSC and/or AIS.
2.3.17 NR: 5G New Radio.
2.3.18 SAR: Search and Rescue.
2.3.19 Search and rescue transponder (SART): An electronic device that automatically reacts to the emission of a radar and enhances the visibility of a ship in distress or a life raft on a radar screen.
2.3.20 SOLAS: Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974.
2.3.21 SSB; Single side band.
2.3.22 SSB: Synchronisation Signal Block for mobile communications networks.
2.3.23 Ue: User equipment.
2.3.24 Very High Frequency (VHF): Frequencies in the range 30 – 300 MHz.
3.1 It describes the maritime radiocommunications services spectrum regulatory framework adopted in the Kingdom. With the regulations set out in this document, CST aims to support the Kingdom’s vision to be one of leading countries adopting best practice in the regulation of maritime radiocommunications services and, in particular, achieve the following objectives.
3.1.1 Efficient use of maritime radio spectrum resources through effective interference management and promotion of emerging maritime radio technologies;
3.1.2 Coordination of national and international activities in all matters related to maritime radio spectrum including coordination with adjacent States;
3.1.3 Clear, transparent, comprehensive, forward-looking and non-discriminatory management of maritime radio spectrum;
3.1.4 Enhanced quality of maritime services provided in the Kingdom;
4.1 These regulations cover the licensing and frequency allocation and assignment for maritime services for ship, coast, beacon and radar stations for the purposes, as applicable, of:
4.1.1 Communications,
4.1.2 Navigation, and
4.1.3 Distress and Safety of Life services.
Please find Maritime radiocommunications services and frequency bands in the attached document.
6.1 All equipment must comply with CST’s published technical specifications . The relevant specifications are provided in, but not limited to, those shown in Appendix D.
Please find Spectrum allocation and frequency assignment mechanism in the attached document.
8.1 An important element of the maritime services regulatory framework is processes adopted for recording and updating of frequency assignments internationally. CST ensures that international registration is an accurate reflection of the existing national status and submits the necessary notifications and any subsequent amendments to the Radiocommunications Bureau.
8.2 Data on ship stations and maritime mobile service assignments are provided in MARS List V and coast stations and special service stations (AIS Aids to Navigation) in MARS List IV.
8.3 Ship station data is published once a year and coast station and special service stations data every two years by the Bureau based on data collected from all Administrations. The data is also available online where it is regularly updated .
8.4 CST also notifies frequency assignments for their inclusion in the ITU Master International Frequency Register (MIFR). Those frequency assignments recorded with a favorable finding are afforded international recognition and protected from harmful interference. Non-conforming assignments shall not cause harmful interference to and shall not claim protection from harmful interference caused by a station operating in accordance with the relevant provisions.
9.1 Internationally harmonised maritime frequency bands
9.1.1 Access to internationally harmonised maritime frequency bands requires a device licence from CST which authorises the use of the radio equipment and associated frequencies for the maritime station.
9.1.2 CST will reject any applicant request that does not comply with the regulations and frequency bands set out in this document or any other relevant regulations.
9.1.3 This licence must be applied for by submitting the license application form to CST for the relevant category of maritime license.
9.1.4 A radio Licence is required for the use of any radio-communication equipment in the Kingdom.
9.1.5 The license is issued after frequencies have been assigned and relevant fees have been paid.
9.1.6 The license contains information of the radio equipment, frequencies, and authorized technical parameters.
9.2 Spectrum in other frequency bands
9.2.1 Access to satellite and mobile spectrum is covered by the applicable licensing regimes.
9.3 Spectrum trading
9.3.1 It is possible to transfer licenses for maritime radio services (secondary trading) for radio stations from one owner to another, such as transfer of a ship radio station license on transfer of a vessel
11.1 The ship radio station licence can be applied for, if a final approval from TGA has been received by the applicant for the vessel to be registered in the KSA ship registry, by:
11.1.1 A Saudi National or an resident.
11.1.2 A legal entity registered in the Kingdom,
11.1.3 Governmental organisations or
11.1.4 Maritime service providers.
11.2 The coast station license can be applied for by:
11.2.1 An authorised representative of a Saudi harbour or port authority or marina, or
11.2.2 An authorised representative of the Government Agency responsible for Coast Guard operations.
11.3 The maritime navigational aids and radar licences can be applied for by:
11.3.1 An authorised representative of a Saudi harbour or port authority, or
11.3.2 An authorised representative of the Government Agency responsible for Coast Guard operations
12.1 Maritime radio services licenses are issued for a one-year to 5 years.
14.1 CST is targeting to meet the timescales for issuing, amending and revoking maritime radio services licenses as shown in Appendix B.
15.1 Maritime radio station license holders must ensure that all licensed radio equipment are included in the license issued, and used only in accordance with the provisions specified in the documentation issued by CST. In particular, license holders must
15.1.1 Ensure that all information supplied for the licence application is true and accurate.
15.1.2 Operate licensed stations at licensed frequencies within technical parameters specified in the licence.
15.1.3 not allow any unauthorised person to operate licensed stations.
15.1.4 ensure that licensed equipment does not cause interference to any other radio stations or equipment lawfully owned, used or operated. The licensee must allow CST to inspect the licensed equipment as part of interference investigations.
15.1.5 maintain up-to-date records of all licensed equipment including manufacturer, model, serial number, output power. The license should be available upon request from the relevant authorities.
15.1.6 disclose the devices that are not registered in the licence before the licence renewal.
15.1.7 inform and obtain approval of CST regarding any proposed changes to the licence in advance. These can only be implemented after the appropriate documentation has been varied and/or reissued accordingly.
15.1.8 ensure that licensed stations are available for periodic inspection of equipment, to ensure it is appropriately licensed and meets the technical specifications requirements, at all reasonable times by CST and the relevant authorities to ensure consistency and compliance with current regulations.
15.1.9 pay the licence fee.
15.1.10 not transfer the radio equipment unless an approval is obtained from CST.
15.1.11 comply with any notifications issued by CST from time to time.
15.1.12 The CST license is considered canceled in the event of a request to cancel the license and obtains the approval of CST, and the licensee must not dispose of the equipment without the approval of CST.
15.2 CST has the right to revoke maritime radio services licenses if the equipment and assigned frequencies are not used according to the terms and conditions in the license. In situations where the terms and conditions of the license are not complied with, CST will serve an enforcement notice requiring immediate cessation of transmissions.
15.3 CST has the right to cancel the application for issuing a license in the event that the fees are not paid within three months from the date of issuing the invoice.
15.4 CST will impose a penalty in accordance with Chapter 10 of the Telecommunications Act for any violations of these regulations that could lead to harmful interference.
15.5 CST will coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure the frequency assignment process meets the spectrum and maritime regulatory requirements and is consistent with both ITU and IMO standards. CST will ensure the necessary notifications to the ITU for registration of the radio stations.
16.1 CST reserves the right to conduct an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) analysis for maritime radio station equipment and may hire a third party to do so as appropriate. The objective of EMC analysis is to ensure that equipment complies with technical conditions associated with the license application and to examine whether harmful interference can be caused to existing licensees. Where the analysis identifies a potential for harmful interference, the license applicant may have their application refused, or an alternative frequency or technical conditions proposed by CS
17.1 Maritime radio station equipment must be type approved by CST prior to import and/or use in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To this end, CST has published regulations for importation and licensing of telecommunications and information technology equipment alongside a number of technical specifications .
17.2 All maritime services equipment shall comply with the following requirements:
17.2.1 The relevant CST technical specifications;
17.2.2 The regulations described in this document; and
17.2.3 The acquisition of conformity certificate and type approval before the request of an equipment custom clearance.
18.1 CST may, at its absolute discretion, request data concerning the operation of maritime stations from licensees who are required to provide the requested data. CST will handle data provided in line with all relevant regulatory requirements.
19.1 Fees associated with maritime radio station licenses are described in the CST document titled ‘Frequency Usage Fees in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’ published on the CST's website .
22.1 CST shall review this document periodically, and the CST shall have the right to update it when necessary, in accordance with the national and international requirements associated with the maritime services radio spectrum.
• International Maritime Organisation (IMO) publishes the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Manual and IMO handbook. (www.imo.org/publications)
• ITU Maritime mobile Access and Retrieval System (MARS) provides online access and retrieval of information submitted by administrations for ship and coast stations. (Maritime mobile Access and Retrieval System (MARS) (itu.int) ).
The following are the target timescales for issuing, amending and revoking maritime licenses.
Last update: 21 March 2023
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