FCC  domestic implementation of AIS The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a final rule adopting additional measures for domestic implementation of the Automatic Identification System (AIS). The rule designates maritime VHF Channel 87B (161.975 MHz) for exclusive AIS use in the US; determines that only the federal government should have authority to operate AIS base stations; and requires that Class B AIS shipborne devices comply with international standards. The rule comes into effect on March 2. 74 Fed. Reg. 5117 (January 29, 2009). <http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-1536.pdf> [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type application/pkcs7-signature which had a name of smime.p7s]