KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) has convened a critical stakeholder assembly to address growing concerns about radio frequency interference that threatens aviation safety communications. The gathering at Port Royal’s Grand Hotel Excelsior brought together technical experts from broadcast media, civil aviation authorities, military aviation units, and telecommunications providers to reinforce collaborative spectrum protection protocols.
Dr. Maria Myers Hamilton, SMA Managing Director, delivered a stark warning about operational practices that jeopardize aviation safety. “Over-modulation techniques employed by broadcasters can generate dangerous interference within aeronautical bands, potentially crippling communication between air traffic controllers and aircraft navigating Jamaican airspace,” she emphasized. Dr. Hamilton urged all spectrum users to immediately report technical irregularities to prevent disruptions to essential aviation communications.
Technical presentations by SMA engineers revealed sophisticated monitoring methodologies used to detect and mitigate interference across the 88-108 MHz VHF band. Band Planning Manager Abean Cooper stressed that ongoing stakeholder dialogue enables alignment between regulatory frameworks and field operations, creating cleaner spectrum allocation for all users.
The Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing’s Major Nick Morris highlighted life-or-death implications of spectrum reliability, noting: “During medical airlift operations where we transport critically ill patients between healthcare facilities, any communication failure could directly endanger lives.”
Representatives from Aeronautical Telecommunications Limited (AEROTEL) and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority provided case studies from Hurricane Melissa (October 2025), demonstrating how robust coordination and resilient communication systems maintained continuous air traffic services during catastrophic weather conditions. Participants acknowledged that while the category five storm exposed infrastructure vulnerabilities, it also showcased the telecommunications sector’s remarkable recovery capabilities.
The forum facilitated open discussion about interference challenges, creating a platform for ongoing collaboration between regulators and service providers to ensure reliable spectrum allocation for Jamaica’s most critical national services.