SP 2500 MHz — Spectrum Utilization Policy for the Fixed and Broadcasting Services in the Band 2500-2686 MHz

SP-462 — Spectrum Utilization Policy to Permit Licence-Exempt Family Radio Devices in the Land Mobile Frequency Sub-bands 462 - 467 MHz (SP-462 MHz)

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November 1991

Table of Contents

  1. Intent
  2. Introduction
  3. Policy
  4. Application Procedure
  5. Sharing Aspects with Other Services
  6. Reference Documents
  7. Implementation

Amendment1
Dated November 1991

1. Intent

The purpose of this document is to specify the spectrum utilization policy for the 2500–2686 MHz band by the fixed and broadcasting services.

2. Introduction

The policy in this document began with a three phase public consultation process related to the fixed services which commenced in 1979 with the release of a discussion paper followed by a second paper containing proposals in July, 1981.

In response to the public submissions received on these papers and the need to relieve spectrum congestion, the Department adopted new licensing policies for microwave radio in the 1–10 GHz frequency range. This policy document entitled "Policy for the Utilization of the 0.890-10.68 GHz Radio Spectrum by the Fixed Service", was notified in the Canada Gazette December 11, 1982. The Department indicated in this policy release that it would give consideration to use of this band in rural areas where cable or alternative means of distribution were not practical, for the delivery of broadcast programming direct to the home.

A subsequent consultative process was undertaken in March 1984 to propose changes to the spectrum utilization policy to accommodate the introduction of the broadcasting service. This responded to the expressed interest by industry and the equalization thrust of the National Broadcast Strategy announced by the Minister of Communications on March 1, 1983 which indicated that all available distribution technologies, including microwave and satelllite systems, should be employed to equalize the availability of broadcasting services throughout the country.

SP 2500 MHz was first released in March 1985. A revision was issued in April 1989 to reflect the discontinuation of radiolocation services in this band.

Furthermore, in order to realign the policy with the new Broadcasting Act and to provide certain clarifications for use by applicants for services in this band, the Department announced amendments to the document in the Canada Gazette Notice (DGTP-004-91) on May 11, 1991. The SP 2500 MHz issued in October 1991 reflects the amendments announced on May 11, 1991.

3. Policy

3.1 Frequency Allocations

The utilization of the spectrum within the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations in accordance with this policy is shown in Table 1.

The total number of channels available for broadcasting services in the band 2596–2686 will be limited to 15. The total number of channels available for fixed multipoint services in the band 2500–2596 will be limited to 16.

The 31 channels in the 2500–2686 MHz band are split on a 16/15 channel basis, with the fixed service occupying the 16 channel lower portion (2500–2596 MHz) of the band on a primary basis and the broadcasting service occupying the 15-channel upper portion (2596–2686 MHz) on a primary basis.2

The allocation of channels to the broadcasting service is not in accordance with the International Table of Frequency Allocations but represents a purely domestic allocation to satisfy a Canadian demand. Bilateral sharing arrangements with the United States allow for protection of services in this band (2500–2686 MHz). Applications for transmitters to be located within 80 Km from the Canada/U.S. border will be in accordance with the Canada-U.S. sharing arrangement for the band. Due to channel sharing situations that pertain for certain border city locations, the number of channels available for use in Canada may be limited and they may be shared between the broadcasting and fixed services in those areas in a manner which might differ from those set out in this overall spectrum policy.

Certain limitations on operation are noted in the following sections.

3.2 Types of Fixed Services Permitted in the Band (2500–2686 MHz)

The fixed service is allocated on a primary basis in the band 2500–2596 MHz for Multipoint Communications Systems (MCS) - Video.

Multipoint Communications System (MCS) - Video is a fixed service consisting of a central radio station communicating on a one or two way basis with two or more associated microwave stations. The use of MCS-Video in this band is not intended as a substitute for, nor an adjunct to, Very High Capacity Microwave (VHCM) used for distribution by broadcast undertakings, for which allocations above 10 GHz are available. For MCS-Video, the band can be used for various fixed point or multipoint uses for the distribution of video teleconferencing. MCS includes Instructional Television (ITV) operations as a subset.

Instructional Television (ITV) is a fixed service for the distribution of instructional programming on a point to multipoint basis intended for reception only at specific licensed educational institutional locations. It is a term which therefore includes specifications of content of the signals (instructional programming) as well as the mode of carriage (fixed point to multipoint).

3.3 Types of Broadcasting Services Permitted in the Band (2500–2686 MHz)

The broadcasting service is allocated on a primary basis in the band 2596–2686 MHz. In the broadcasting service, the Department encourages the use of this band for Multipoint Distribution Systems (MDS) for:

  1. Coverage of areas where coaxial cable is not viable or economic.
  2. Coverage to other areas if there is no significant economic harm to existing broadcasting undertakings nor economic disadvantage to the extension of such undertakings and where the competition for service and/or choice is enhanced.

Multipoint Distribution Systems or MDS is a point to multipoint distribution system intended for reception by the public.

The following uses for MDS broadcast channels will not be certified:

  1. For the distribution of broadcast signals to other distribution or redistribution systems unless such distribution is peripheral and incidental to the use of MDS channels for delivery of broadcasting signals for reception by the public.
  2. Unless the programming signals to be carried on the MDS have been authorized by the CRTC for distribution to the public pursuant to the Broadcasting Act.

The department will certify the carriage of local off-air signals on an MDS broadcasting distribution undertaking provided that they are authorized by the CRTC for distribution pursuant to the Broadcasting Act and these local signals, if authorized as part of an MDS undertaking will be considered within the total of 15 channels available.

4. Application Procedure

Fixed service applications will be licensed by the Minister of Communications under the Radiocommunication Act according to current DOC microwave licensing policies and procedures (see reference document Radio Standards Procedure — RSP-113) and conforming to technical requirements contained in reference documents.

Broadcast service applications will be licensed by the CRTC under the Broadcasting Act and a Broadcasting Certificate will be issued by the Department under the Radiocommunication Act (see reference documents).

The Standard Radio System Plan — SRSP-302.5, Telecommunications Regulation Circular — TRC-71 and Broadcast Procedures and Rules contain technical and implementation aspects of this spectrum utilization policy.

5. Sharing Aspects with Other Services

The fixed and broadcasting services will, in their respective channels, share the band on a primary basis with the fixed-satellite and broadcasting-satellite services as outlined in Table 1.

At present, there are no plans in Canada for a broadcasting-satellite service nor for a fixed-satellite service in the 2500–2690 MHz allocation.

Earth exploration satellite (passive), space research (passive) and radio astronomy services are allocated on a secondary basis in the sub-band 2655–2686 MHz.

The band 2500–2686 MHz is also allocated to the mobile service on a secondary basis for the exclusive use of the Government of Canada.

6. Reference Documents

The following documents are applicable:

  • Gazette Notice DGTP-004-91, published May 11, 1991 entitled "Realignment of Spectrum Utilization Policy SP 2500 MHz - Fixed and Broadcasting Services in the Band 2500–2686 MHz".
  • Radio Licensing Policy for Limited Area Fixed Radio Systems - Gazette Notice No. DGTP-006-91, published August 17, 1991.
  • Radio Standards Procedure (RSP-113, Issue 3) "Application Procedure for Planned Radio Stations above 890 MHz in the Terrestrial Fixed Service", as far as fixed services are concerned.
  • SP-GEN, General Information Related to Spectrum Utilization and Radio System Policies.
  • Standard Radio System Plan SRSP-302.5 - Technical Requirements for Fixed and Broadcasting Services Operating in the 2500 to 2686 MHz band.
  • Telecommunications Regulation Circular No. 71 - Recommend Minimum Technical Requirements for Television Transmitters in the 2500–2686 MHz band.
  • Broadcasting Procedures and Rules Part IV - Requirements for the Establishment of Multipoint Distribution Television Broadcasting Stations (MDS-TV Broadcasting).

7. Implementation

It is suggested that applicants contact one of the Department's Regional Offices regarding the licensing status of existing systems in this band.

Issued under the authority of the
Minister of Communications

Paul Racine
Assistant Deputy Minister
Communications Policy

Table 1 — Band 2500–2686 MHz

Frequency Band
Description of Table 1

In the left hand column of the table, upper case denotes a primary service and lower case denotes a secondary service.

Legend:

S-E - Space to Earth
E-S - Earth to Space
MCS - Multipoint Communications Systems
MDS - Multipoint Distribution System

Remarks:

  1. MCS-Video is not a substitute for nor an adjunct to Very High Capacity Microwave (VHCM) used for distribution by broadcast undertakings, for which allocations above 10 GHz are available.
  2. The band 2500–2686 MHz is also allocated to the mobile service on a secondary basis for the exclusive use of the Government of Canada.

Table 1 can be represented by the following table:

Band 2500-2686 MHz
Allocation Primary/Secondary service Frequency (MHz) Utilization
FIXED Primary 2500-2596 MULTIPOINT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS VIDEO*
FIXED-SATELLITE (Space to Earth) Primary 2500-2686 FIXED-SATELLITE
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth to Space) Primary 2655-2686 FIXED-SATELLITE
BROADCASTING Primary 2596-2686 MULTIPOINT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM BROADCASTING
BROADCASTING SATELLITE Primary 2500-2686 BROADCASTING SATELLITE
Earth Exploration-Satellite (Passive) Secondary 2655-2686 Earth Exploration
Space Research Service (Passive) Secondary 2655-2686 Space Research
Radio Astronomy Secondary 2655-2686 Radio Astronomy

 

1 Amendments shown by a vertical line reflect the realignment of the Spectrum Utilization Policy announced in May 1991 Gazette Notice. Spectrum Utilization Policy for the Fixed and Broadcasting Services in the Band 2500–2686 MHz SP 2500 MHz

2 The Department concluded that the increasing number of applications for services in this band as well as the possibility that, as a result of the 1992 World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC), a portion of this band may have to be reallocated in the medium term. This could place undue contraints on the current use and tenure of existing users for services on a secondary basis. Therefore, the Department will not certify the use of fixed channels by broadcasting services in the band 2500–2596 MHz or the licensing of broadcasting channels by fixed services in the band 2596–2686 MHz as the secondary service allocations have been suppressed.