
Aeronautical mobile service (short: AMS; also aeronautical mobile radiocommunication service) is a form of
aviation communication conducted through
radio
Radio is the technology of communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 3 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitter connec ...
. The
ITU Radio Regulations
The ITU Radio Regulations (RR) is a basic document of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that regulates on law of nations scale radiocommunication services and the utilisation of radio frequencies. It is the supplementation to th ...
divide AMS into communication used for civil
air route flights (R) and off-route flights (OR). Aeronautical mobile (R) service is a so-called
safety-of-life service, must be protected for
interferences, and is an essential part of
air traffic control
Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through a given section of controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled air ...
. Communication occurs between radio stations onboard aircraft, termed
aircraft stations, and terrestrial stations that are sometimes termed "aeronautical stations". Communication can also occur between aircraft. AMS is commonly used in
air traffic control
Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through a given section of controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled air ...
.
Aeronautical mobile satellite service

Aeronautical
mobile satellite service (AMSS) is a form of AMS where an aircraft station is connected to a
communications satellite
A communications satellite is an artificial satellite that relays and amplifies radio telecommunication signals via a Transponder (satellite communications), transponder; it creates a communication channel between a source transmitter and a Rad ...
. It is useful in situations where the aircraft is far away from any radio station on land.
Frequency allocation
The allocation of radio frequencies is provided according to ''Article 5'' of the
ITU Radio Regulations
The ITU Radio Regulations (RR) is a basic document of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that regulates on law of nations scale radiocommunication services and the utilisation of radio frequencies. It is the supplementation to th ...
(edition 2012).
[''ITU Radio Regulations, CHAPTER II – Frequencies, ARTICLE 5 Frequency allocations, Section IV – Table of Frequency Allocations'']
In order to improve harmonisation in spectrum utilisation, the majority of service-allocations stipulated in this document were incorporated in national Tables of Frequency Allocations and Utilisations which is within the responsibility of the appropriate national administration. The allocation might be primary, secondary, exclusive, and shared.
*primary allocation: is indicated by writing in capital letters (see example below)
*secondary allocation: is indicated by small letters
*exclusive or shared utilization: is within the responsibility of administrations
However, military usage, in bands where there is civil usage, will be in accordance with the ITU Radio Regulations. In NATO countries military utilizations will be in accordance with the
NATO Joint Civil/Military Frequency Agreement (NJFA).
; Example of
frequency allocation:
See also
*
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is the broadcasting of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based rad ...
*
Radiocommunication service
Sources
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Airbands
Mobile services ITU
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