Spectrum Applications Modernization

Welcome to information about Industry Canada's Spectrum Applications Modernization Project:

If you are a licensee of a microwave system or an earth station, this information may be of interest to you.


See also Frequently Asked Questions for more information.


Modernizing Industry Canada's Spectrum Management System

Industry Canada is modernizing its spectrum management system, which will result in changes to your radio licences and the online services used to file applications and to access information.

Licensees of the following services will notice changes in 2013:

  • Fixed point–to–point stations (including transportable) above 960 MHz;
  • Point–to–multipoint systems above 960 MHz;
  • Radiodetermination stations (including transportable) above 960 MHz; and
  • Satellite fixed earth stations (including transportable) above 960 MHz.

Point–to–Point Link Licences

Today, licences are issued for each site and cover all apparatus at that site. Under the new system, a licence will cover one or more links. For example, a single licence can now cover a link between two points and include all apparatus installed for both ends of the link. Multipoint Communications Systems will generally be issued on a single licence and cover all associated links. This also means that new licence numbers, and possibly new call signs, will be issued.

Account Numbers

Existing account numbers will change. New account numbers will be generated serially by the new system. A single account number will be generated for each unique company name. As is the case today, a single licensee may have multiple accounts. The rationalization of accounts will be carried out by the staff in the processing offices in consultation with the client(s).

Licence Numbers

For point–to–point systems, because of the change in licensing structure to link licensing, the number of unique licences issued for links will decrease and therefore will result in changes to licence numbers.

Dividing Licences of Multiple Services or Frequency Bands

Some licensees currently have licences that cover multiple services (e.g. point–to–point and radiodetermination on the same licence) or licences that cover frequencies both above and below 960 MHz. Under the new system, separate licences will now be issued for each of the different services. Separate licences will also be issued for frequencies below 960 MHz and above 960 MHz.

Call Signs: Where licences are being divided, new call signs may be issued.

Fees: Fees will continue to be charged according to existing regulations.

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OnLine Services

There will also be changes in the way that services are accessed online.

Clients can currently access assignment data via Technical and Administrative Frequency Lists (TAFL), Frequency List and Spectrum Direct. For the Pilot Release, data related to frequencies above 960 MHz will be accessed by a new online tool, and the format of the data provided will be different.

Frequency information for other bands can be found where it is currently displayed (TAFL, Frequency List and Spectrum Direct). This differentiation is applicable to clients when applying for licences, paying invoices, viewing 'own' data, etc.

Microwave clients generally submit applications via the web using the current Spectrum Direct tool. Clients who wish to make applications for systems within the scope of the Pilot Release will be directed to a new area of Industry Canada's Spectrum website at the time of its launch, which may require the client to re–register their web user account. Services not yet within the scope of the Pilot Release will continue to be served through Spectrum Direct.

As other services are transitioned to the new software beyond 2013, we will engage all applicable stakeholders and provide further information on our website.

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SAM–CSI Backgrounder

Radio spectrum is a unique resource that affects virtually all aspects of Canadian society, supporting wireless and mobile telecommunications across a host of everyday situations. The effective use of spectrum is crucial to the social and economic well-being of Canadians. Its management is a federal obligation that is performed by the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Program of Industry Canada.

An important element of the Program's success is its effective use of information technology — in particular, its Spectrum Management System (SMS). The SMS is the suite of software tools used by Program staff to administer these authorizations, to issue invoices for fees associated with them and to address signal coverage, potential interference, policy compliance and safety. All of these activities often require complex engineering analysis. In addition, the SMS is used to coordinate Canadian radio frequency assignments with those in the United States. The SMS system also provides information concerning frequency utilization and serves as an important interface for filing applications and for information requests from clients and the general public.

The growing demand for spectrum requires that Canada find market–oriented ways of promoting its efficient use. In addition, the rapid evolution of wireless and radio technology necessitates an adaptable spectrum management system that is able to accommodate new technical requirements.

The SMS evolved considerably as new services and frequency bands were released. The current system is now a mixture of decades–old applications and supporting technologies that can no longer be adequately maintained or enhanced. Many of the development platforms are now obsolete or reaching end–of–life. As new system components have been layered over older components, the SMS has become complex and difficult to sustain.

Industry Canada has embarked on a major initiative to modernize the Spectrum Management System. Extensive research and analysis conducted in 2009 and 2010 concluded that a commercial–off–the–shelf (COTS) solution was available to meet our SMS requirements. The modernization project, known as Spectrum Applications Modernization — Commercial Software Implementation (SAM–CSI), received approval on December 9, 2010.

Industry Canada has contracted with LS telcom to provide software and services related to this modernization effort. Several other large national regulators use the LS telcom system, and as such, Canada's adoption of this technology may result in increased consistency in the way spectrum is administered internationally.

The future system will provide new ways of issuing and managing radiocommunication licences in real time with a more streamlined automated process and a more stable core system.

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Implementing the software

The SAM–CSI modernization project will follow a phased approach that sees different services transitioned from the legacy systems to the LS telcom system in a series of releases, starting with a Pilot Release targeted for completion in late 2013.

After evaluating various implementation options, it was determined that specific services within the microwave bands offered advantages as an initial Pilot Release over other service lines. Included in the Pilot Release is radiocommunication licensing of the Land Fixed service in microwave bands above 960 MHz, including point–to–point stations, point–to–multipoint stations, earth stations, radiodetermination stations (radar) and developmental stations.

Other service lines will follow, with completion of this project scheduled for March 31, 2016.

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Email

Should you have any questions about your licences and how they may change, please send us an email at Spectrum Support top of page