As explained above, radio communication technologies are characterized by performance parameters. These include range, bandwidth, latency, and the need for shore facilities. The tables below list, in the column headings, the communications techniques that are presently available for maritime voice and data communications. It also includes some techniques which may become available in the short to medium term. Separate tables are provided for ship-to-shore and for ship-to-ship communications. Six geographical regions are listed at the left column, defined by the ranges of a selection from the available communications technologies. The GMDSS sea areas, which approximately correspond, are also noted in the second column. The suggested most likely candidates for voice and data communications, for e-Navigation, in each of the six geographical areas are indicated by yellow color, with ‘E’ for existing technologies, and ‘F’ for future technologies or technologies currently not widely used in the maritime domain.
Table 3 Geographical classification of e-Navigation data and voice communication techniques Ship-Shore
e-NAV Area Definitions
GMDSS Sea Area (approx)
Broadband phone line or cable. (When ship at berth)