The spread of cell phones and ever better network coverage is now also having an impact on marine radio. It is true that radio remains the first choice for fast communication from ship to ship, both among professionals and on yachts; Calling is faster than dialing.
Radio systems with several intercom stations with equal rights require complex cabling
But telephoning from the sea via coastal radio stations into the land network is hardly used any more. Of the 56 international marine radio channels, however, 32 were intended for precisely this purpose. These are set up for duplex operation: ship and coast station transmit on different frequencies; this prevents mutual interference. Many of the canals lie fallow today; due to their design, they cannot be used for anything else. In mid-2017, the assignment between channel numbers and frequencies was therefore revised, with the result that there are now new channels. In addition, radios must be equipped with an integrated GPS from this fall.