Yes, there is a separate frequency plan for the Caribbean Netherlands. The Caribbean Netherlands frequency plan differs from that of the European Netherlands because the allocated frequencies are part of a different international region (see image). Although many international frequency bands have been harmonised, there are still differences between the three regions. This means that not all equipment permitted in the Netherlands can be used on Bonaire, Sint-Eustatius and Saba.
Here you can see which equipment can be used without authorisation.
You can download the frequency plan here.
Call signs are identification codes used during radio communication. They are particularly important to the shipping industry, the airline industry and amateur radio operators, although radio stations also have a call sign. Call signs are always issued by the government. In the Caribbean Netherlands, this is done by the Authority of Digital Infrastructure.
Call signs for the Caribbean Netherlands start with PJ4 (Bonaire), PJ5 (Sint Eustatius) or PJ6 (Saba). The first three characters of the call sign are referred to as the ‘prefix’. The letters or numbers that follow are referred to as the ‘suffix’.
Amateur radio operators from another country can use their own call sign if they possess a valid licence. But they must use the extension /PJ4 for Bonaire, /PJ5 for Sint-Eustatius and /PJ6 for Saba. Read more about the requirements here.
The Authority of Digital Infrastucture is responsible for all issuing and supervisory activities. The agency thus also issues call signs.
You must possess an operator certificate if you want to use a marine radio or other maritime radio equipment on a ship. And you must possess authorisation for your ship; the so-called ‘ship station license’. The operator certificate shows that you are familiar with the rules for using the equipment. The authorisation shows which equipment is on board and which identification codes (call sign and MMSI number) have been assigned to the ship.
Here you can see which equipment can be used with each type of certificate.
No, EU law, in principle, does not apply to the Caribbean Netherlands, just like the other countries other than the Netherlands in the Kingdom, unless this is explicitly declared applicable. Within the EU Treaty on the Functioning of the Netherlands (Article 198), the Caribbean Netherlands has the so-called status of Rural Overseas Territories (LGO). The Radio Equipment Directive (RED) and EMC directive are therefore not in force in the Caribbean Netherlands and the other Caribbean countries within the Kingdom.
Numbers are issued by the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). Requests for numbers (for example, an 0800 number) can be submitted by sending an e-mail to TelecomPostCN@acm.nl.
The country code for the Caribbean Netherlands and Curaçao is +599. Sint-Maarten has switched to country code +1 721. The code for Aruba is +297.
The general emergency number on Bonaire is 911.
The Authority of Digital Infrastucture is authorised to set the fees charged to holders of licences and concessions. The agency also sends and collects invoices. The foundations for its activities have been established in the "Telecommunication provision fees Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur BES 2022"
The Exchange of Information on Underground Networks Act (WION) does not apply in the Caribbean Netherlands.