Marine bands to be sold off?

Just as the government has abolished the annual licence fee for Marine VHF sets, radar and EPIRBS this year comes a hint that they are considering flogging off the airbands. Marine radio has been one of those things that work well. The slow move to Digital Selective Calling (DSC) has meant only that initial contacts are broadcast digitally, with all subsequent communication being analogue. DSC isn't compulsory, and many boaters are happy with their old non-DSC VHF sets.

Stephen Ladyman indicated in a Commons written answer that:

The Independent Audit of Spectrum Holdings and the subsequent Government response, agreeing with the audit, found that there is scope for more effective use of public sector radio spectrum. The Office for Communications (Ofcom) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are charged with beginning work to introduce Administered Incentive Pricing (AIP—the ‘price mechanism’) to some elements of maritime radio spectrum use, including radar and communications.

This one will need watching. Perhaps, another email to the RYA I think.