Maritime Mobile Traffic: Charges for Radio, Telex, and Satellite Services

This is a guide to the costs associated with radiotelephone calls, including the conversion factor used for calculations. It also explains the pricing structure for radiotelegrams, covering aspects such as telephone radiotelegram and storage of telegrams and copies. Information on the costs associated with maintaining a radio log is also included, and covers the costs associated with MF and HF radiotelex, and telephone and telex services via Inmarsat-A/B and Inmarsat-C.

For practical application, the document includes a list of coast stations, specifically focusing on charges applicable in the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and South Africa. This information aims to provide a clear and accessible resource for mariners and maritime operators regarding communication cost considerations.

Radio telephone calls

The definition of a radiotelephone call is a call:

• from a ship station via a coast station to a telephone subscriber connected to a Empowering Global Communication with INMARSAT Satellites in shippingpublic telephone network ashore. (PSTN – Public Switched Telephone Network);
• between two ship stations directly, or via one or more coast stations.

Charges for radio telephone calls

The charge for radio telephone calls consists of:

a Coast charge/land station charge – the charge for using the coast sta­tion involved in handling the traffic.

b Land line charge – the charge from the Using TELEX Over Radio: A Practical Guide for Exploitationcoast station to the subscriber.

c Charge for special services – like personal calls, collect calls, directory inquiries etc.

The coast charges differ with regard to the type of Inmarsat-A: Equipment, Procedures, and Distress Communicationradio communication equipment in use, such as DSC (Digital Selective Calling) Procedures for VHF – MF and HFVHF, MF and HF.

Conversion rate:

1 SDR = 3,061 Gfr.

The charges for the different coast stations can be found in the ITU publication “List of Coast Stations”, part IV.

The charges are quoted in SDR (Special Drawing Rights), or Gfr. (Gold Franc). SDR’s are convertible to all currencies by using the current rate between SDR and the currencies. This rate is fixed on a daily basis and is announced together with the exchange rate of other currencies.

In the following passage, we will study some examples to find out how the different charges are calculated:

Example I:

A radio telephone call from the “Berge Master”/LANO2, to a subscriber in Hamburg Germany, lasting 6 minutes. The call has taken place on HF via Nordeich Radio, Germany.

Charges:

You will find the charge for HF DSC – Digital Selective Callingradiotelephone calls in Part IV of the “List of Coast Stations”:

Calculation:

Example II:

A radiotelephone call from the “Berge Master“/LANO2 to a subscriber in the U. K., lasting 6 minutes. The call has taken place on HF via Portishead Radio U. K. on a Sunday at 1225 local HF time (reduced rate).

Calculation:

Radiotelegrams

Radiotelegrams are handed in at, or addressed to, a ship station, and are fully or partly sent via Maritime and Other Mobility Servicesmaritime mobile service radio communications. Radiotelegrams can be transmitted by telephony, telegraphy or by radio telex.

Radiotelegram charges are composed of:

a Basic charge (fixed charge) per telegram.

b Coast charge – the charge for the coast station involved.

c Land line charge -the charge from coast station to destination.

The charges can be found in the “List of Coast Stations”, and are normally quoted in SDR.

Read also: SART – Search and Rescue Transponders – Portable VHF Transceivers

A radiotelegram is charged per word, counted from the addressee to the signature. Words not exceeding ten characters are counted as one charge able word, while words exceeding ten characters are counted at a rate of one chargeable word for each ten characters or part thereof.

Example III:

A radiotelegram from the “Berge Master“/LANO2, to “Ship’s Supplies, London”, sent via Portishead Radio by telephony:

Calculation:

You will find the charges for the radiotelegram in the “List of Coast Sta­tions”.

Remember that charge rates are arrived at by counting each word from the addressee to the signature, regardless of whether the radiotelegram is sent by VHF, MF or HF telephony, TELEX (Narrow Band Direct Printing – NBDP) Procedurestelegraphy or radio telex.

Example IV:

A radiotelegram from the “Berge Master”/LANO2 to addressee “Petrotex Rotterdam” sent via Nordeich Radio in Germany.

Calculation:

With reference to the “List of Coast Stations“, the charge will be as follows:

Telephoning a radiotelegram

When connection with a coast station has been established on a working channel, the telegram shall be sent in the following way:

If the radiotelegram is received by the coast station, it will be acknowl­edged in the following way:

Storage off Telegrams and Copies

All copies of radiotelegrams that have been sent and received shall be stored safely on board for a period of 6 months. Radiotelegrams older than 6 months may be discarded in a suitable manner. If the vessel is sold to a foreign country, laid up, or condemned, the telegram archives must be sent to the telecom administration.

Keeping a Radio Log

The radio log, as required by the SOLAS Convention, must be kept together with the radio and must be written in accordance with the details required by the Radio Regulations and guidelines.

All Regulations and Traffic Procedurestraffic concerning distress, urgency and safety correspondence is of vital importance.

Radio telex on the MF and HF bands

Telex messages are charged in the same way whether they are sent via Maritex or other coast stations.

Example V:

A radio telex message from the “Berge Master2“/LANO2, to a telex subscriber in London, via Portishead Radio U. K., transmitted on the 12 MHz band, duration 4,3 minutes.

With reference to the “List of Coast Stations”, part IV:

Calculation:

Example VI:

A radio telex message from the «Berge Master»/LANO2, to a telex subscriber in Rotterdam via Scheveningen Radio on HF, duration 4 minutes.

With reference to the “List of Coast Stations” part IV:

Calculation:

Telephone and telex via Inmarsat-A/B

Telephone calls and telex messages transmitted via Inmarsat-A, are charged in periods of 6 seconds. (1 period = 6 seconds = 0,1 minute).

Below, a table of charges is shown for both telephone and telex messages via EIK LES, Norway. When using two-digit code (37 prefix) instead of the code for an automatic call (00), a short telex message containing the duration and call charges relating to the call will be received from the LES. Bear in mind that this service is not free of charge!

As a result of co-operation between the Norwegian Telecom, British Telecom and the Singapore Telecom, vessels from these countries are charged the same fees for all four ocean regions, when the traffic is routed via EIK, GOONHILLY or SINGAPORE LES.

Example VII:

A telephone call from “Berge Master”/LANO2 via EIK LES to a subscriber in London using Inmarsat-A, duration 4 minutes and 42 seconds. The charged duration will be 4,7 minutes (peak period).

Calculation:

• $ – U. S. dollars

Example VIII:

A telex message from the same vessel via Singapore LES to a telex subscriber in London using Inmarsat-A, duration 5,3 minutes.

Calculation:

Land line charges from Singapore to UK are not calculated because the traffic is routed via Singapore LES. If another LES in the Pacific ocean region had been used, land line charges would have been added to the sum.

UTC time (GMT):

• AOR/IOR:
  • Peak 0531-1930
  • Off-peak 1931-0530
• POR:
  • Peak 2001-1000
  • Off-peak 1001-2000

Inmarsat-C Charges

Inmarsat-C system charges are largely based on two main elements plus AA surcharge (Accounting Authority/Billing Entity, adding charges for administration service).

a Service charge – charge for the means of communication in use, also including the use of Inmarsat space segments.

b Land line charge – the charge for transmitting the message via the national/international telecom network to the destination.

c AA surcharge.

The LES (land earth stations) generally applies a SERVICE CHARGE for a store and forward telex per kilobit, or quarter of a kilobit.

• 1 kilobit = 1 024 bits
• 1/4 kilobit = 256 bits

On board the ship, the size of the message is given on the Inmarsat-C screen as a number of bits or as a number of characters/bytes.

The different units are defined as such:

To find out which method of calculation a LES is using, one must contact the LES Customer Service Point. (Ref. Inmarsat-C User’s Manual).

Example IX:

A standard 7 bits telex message store-and-forward to Norway via Eik LES, consisting of 400 characters.

Eik LES is charging per quarter of a kilobit (256 bits). The charge is $0,23 per unit.

Conversion formula:

Calculation:

The same message sent as 5 bit packed Baudot:

When routing a message to a destination outside the LES’ country, land line charge will be added.

List of Coast Stations, part IV. Charges for United Kingdom and Germany

NB: The charges shown on pages 190-192 have not been updated in accordance with the latest version of the “List of Coast Stations” and are intended for training purposes only,

United Kingdom

A₁ Accounting authority: British Telecom Telecommunications Pic, PP300. Barbican Computer Centre, 26/28 Glasshouse Yard, London EC1A4JY (United Kingdom).

A₂ Accounting authority: Harbour Office Accounts, Jersey, Channel Islands (United Kingdom).

B Radiotelegrams (per word)

1. Land station charge: 4,62 fr.
2. Landtine charge (United Kingdom : the landtine charge is included in the land station charge).

1a Land station charge:

• MF: 9,70 fr./min.
• HF: 10,40 fr./min.

1b Multi-address store and forward (automatic only) to the United Kingdom per delivered address:

• MF:
  • 10,67 fr./min. (first address);
  • 4,88 fr./min. (subsequent address).
• HF:
  • 11,44 fr./min. (first address);
  • 4,88 fr./min. (subsequent address).

2 Landline charge:

• United Kingdom: the landtine charge is included in the land station charge.

H Radiotelephone calls (minimum 3 min.)

1a Land station charge:

• MF: 8,46 fr./min.
• HF: 14,31 fr./min.
• VHF: 7,37 fr./min.

1b From 2 400 h on Friday to 2 359 on Sunday, to the United Kingdom:

• HF: 11,61 fr./min.

2 Landline charge:

• United Kingdom: the landline charge is included in the land station charge.

M Radiotelex letters (RTL) (minimum 1 min.). Admitted in the ship-to-shore direction only:

1. Land station charge: see note G.
2. Additional postal charge: (All destinations; 4,82 fr. per RTL).

Germany

A Accounting authority: Forschungs and Technologiezentrum (FTZ), Bureau de Compatibilité Internationale, 64276 Darmstadt, Postfach 100003 (Federal Republic of Germany).

B Radiotelegrams:

1. Land station charge; 0,38 SDR per word.
2. Landline charge (per block A block consists of 20 words with a maximum of 10 letters each. The address is free of charge.x).

a) Germany:

• First block: 9,02 SDR;
• Additional block: 9,02 SDR.

b) Europe including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cyprus, Georgia, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Libya, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan and Ukraine.

• First block 18,04 SDR;
• Additional block: 13,53 SDR.

c) Other countries:

• FirstblocK 22,55 SDR;
• Additional block: 18,04 SDR.

3 Surcharges:

a) Express delivery by messenger within Germany: on request.

b Urgent transmission outside Germany: 11,28 SDR per block.

c Deluxe radiotelegram: 0,90 SDR.

C Radiomaritime letters = SLT = for delivery in Europe only (including onward postal charges): 8,82 SDR for a minimum of 22 words. For each additional word: 0,38 SDR.

1. Land station charge: 2,24 SDR/min.
2. Landline charge (Germany: 0,23 SDR/min.).

H Radiotelephone calls (minimum 3 min.)

1. Land station charge: MF: 1,43 SDR/min.;
   HF: 3 – SDR/min.; VHF: 0,81 SDR/min.
2. Lardline charge (Germany: 0,36 SDR/min.).

K The charge for a one-minute transmission of QTG signals is 2,70 SDR.

List of Coast Stations, part IV. Charges for Australia and South Africa

Australia

A Accounting authority: Telstra Mobile Satellite & Radio Services,( P. O. Box 260, Auburn, N. S. W. 2214 (Australia):

• TF: +61 2 311 1302.
• TLX: 71 22432 MARCSC.
• FAX: +61 2 311 3846.

B Radiotelegrams:

1 Lard station charge (binary system):

• 2,70 SDR per radiotelegram (operator handling fee).
• 0,80 SDR per word (min. 7 words).

2 Landline charge:

• Australia: the landline charge is included in the land station charge.
• Other destinations: 0,50 SDR/per word.

3 Surcharges:

• Registered telegraphic address code for delivery by telex, telephone or facsimile: 26. – SDR per year

G Radiotelex calls (per block of 6 seconds):

1 Land station charge:

• Full rate (2 000 – 1 400 h UTC); 1,60 SDR/min.
• Reduced rate (1 400 – 2 000 h UTC): 1,40 SDR/min.

3 Surcharges:

• Operator booking/handling fee (manual operation only): 2,20 SDR per call.

H Radiotelephone calls:

1 Land station charge:

• MF/HF:
  • Automatic and manual operation (Australia and Mew Zealand): 1,80 SDR/min.
• VHF:
  • Automatic and manual operation (Australia and New Zealand): 0,90 SDR/min. (2 000 – 0800 h (local time): 0,65 SDR/min (Automatic operation only)).
  • Ship-toship extended range (automatic operation); 0,50 SDR/per min.
  • Weatherfax (automatic operation only): 0,90 SDR/per min.

South Africa

A Accounting authority: The Control Accountancy Officer, International Accounts (1C11D), Private Bag 6064, Port Elizabeth, 6000 (South Africa)

B Radiotelegrams (per word):

1. Landline charge: South Africa, Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Namibia, Transkei and Venda: the landline charge is included in the land station charge.

G Radiotelex calls (minimum 3 min.):

1. Land station charge: 7,72 fr./min.
2. Landline charge: South Africa, Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Namibia, Transkei and Venda: the landline charge is included in the land station charge.

H Radiotelephone calls (minimum 3 min.)

1. Land station charge: MF: 2,52 fr./min.;
   HF: 4,37 fr./min; VHF: 1,71 fr./min.
2. Landline charge: South Africa, Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Namibia, Transkei and Venda: 0,17 fr./min.
3. Surcharges: Personal calls: no surcharge is levied for calls with subscribers in South Africa, Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Namibia, Transkei and Venda.

Author

Olga Nesvetailova

Freelancer

Literature

1. Global Maritime Distress and Safety System: IMO 1987.
2. Manual for use by The Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile- Satellite Services: ITU 1992.
3. Radio Regulations 1-2-3: ITU 1990.
4. Manual for Norwegian Mobile Radiotelephone Stations: The Norwegian Telecom 1992.
5. Modem Electronic Communication: Gary M. Miller 1978.
6. Brochures and data sheets from manufacturers of GMDSS Equipment.
7. Inmarsat: Inmarsat-A User’s Manual, Inmarsat-C User’s Manual.
8. Nodposisjonering: Bjomar Augdal, 1992.
9. Skipsantenner: Bjomar Augdal 1991.
10. COSPAS-SARSAT Secretariat: COSPAS-SARSAT System Data Documents.
11. Admiralty List of Radio Signals.