VHF, UHF and AIS frequencies:
definitions and differences

VHF (Very High Frequency) refers to a radio frequency band between 30 MHz and 300 MHz. It is widely used in maritime communications, particularly for VHF radio systems, enabling ships and coastal stations to exchange critical information.

UHF (Ultra High Frequency) covers frequencies from 300 MHz to 3 GHz. Although less commonly used than VHF in the maritime domain, UHF is employed for certain specific applications, notably radio communications and detection systems.

AIS frequencies refer to specific bands used by the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to transmit data between ships and coastal stations. AIS mainly uses two VHF frequencies: 161.975 MHz (channel 87B) and 162.025 MHz (channel 88B), enabling real-time communication of position and navigation information.

For Kinéis S-AIS, the use of VHF frequencies for AIS guarantees efficient and reliable worldwide coverage. Thanks to our satellite constellation, we use these frequencies to pick up AIS data from ships, ensuring accurate and continuous tracking of maritime movements, thus enhancing the safety and efficiency of operations at sea.