SP-47 GHz — Spectrum Utilization Policy for Licence Exempt Wireless Devices in the Bands 46.7–46.9 GHz, 57–64 GHz and 76–77 GHz

January 2001

Table of Contents

• Background
• 1.0 Introduction
• 2.0 Background
• 3.0 Policy Provisions for Licence Exempt Wireless Devices
  • 3.1 General Discussion of Consultation Paper
  • 3.2 Discussion and Policy Provisions for the Band 46.7 - 46.9 GHz
  • 3.3 Discussion and Policy Provisions for the Band 57 - 64 GHz
  • 3.4 Discussion and Policy Provisions for the Band 76 - 77 GHz
• 4.0 Technical and System Requirements for Equipment Certification
• 5.0 Implementation
• Annex

Notice No. DGTP-001-01 — Spectrum Utilization Policy for Licence Exempt Wireless Devices in the Bands 46.7-46.9 GHz, 57-64 GHz and 76-77 GHz

The purpose of this notice is to announce the release of the spectrum utilization policy under the above title for the introduction of new licence exempt wireless devices in the frequency bands 46.7-46.9 GHz, 57-64 GHz and 76-77 GHz.

Background

In December 2000, Industry Canada released a consultation paper entitled Proposed Spectrum Policy for Licence Exempt Wireless Devices in the Bands 46.7-46.9 GHz, 57-64 GHz and 76-77 GHz under Canada Gazette Notice 46.7 - 46.9, which sought comments on proposals to designate 6200 MHz of spectrum for licence exempt (LE) wireless devices.

Comments received on this paper provided strong support to open these bands for LE wireless devices. Support was also given to the technical requirements for equipment certification which align with that of the Federal Communications Commission, thereby ensuring a greater choice of technologies available to Canadians, and facilitating the roaming of devices. Most comments received pointed to issues of clarification and precision in the technical provisions of the paper.

Based on these comments, Industry Canada is issuing a set of spectrum policy provisions for the introduction of amateur-satellite devices. Concurrently, the Department has established an interim set of technical standard requirements for incorporation into the Radio Standard Specification RSS-210.

The policy document entitled Spectrum Utilization Policy for Licence Exempt Wireless Devices in the Bands 46.7-46.9 GHz, 57-64 GHz and 76-77 GHz is available electronically as follows:

World Wide Web (WWW)
Spectrum Management and Telecommunications

or can be obtained in hard copy (for a fee), from:

Tyrell Press Ltd.
2714 Fenton Road 45
Gloucester, Ontario
K1T 3T7
email: tyrell@magi.com
Canada toll-free number: 1-800-267-4862

U.S. toll-free number: 1-800-574-0137
Worldwide telephone number : 613-822-0740
Fax number : 613-822-1089

Canada Government Publishing
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0S9

email: publications@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
Canada toll-free telephone: 1-800-635-7943
Canada toll-free Fax number: 1-800-565-7757
Worldwide telephone number: 819-994-1498

January 19, 2001

Michael Helm
Director General
Telecommunications Policy Branch

1.0 Introduction

This policy document announced in Gazette Notice DGTP-001-01 addresses the spectrum utilization policy for the introduction of new licence exempt wireless devices in the frequency bands 46.7-46.9 GHz, 57-64 GHz and 76-77 GHz. With this new spectrum, a wide range of innovative LE products, services and applications will be supported.

With the release of this policy, provisions are established to accommodate short range high capacity wireless communication devices for the delivery of multimedia applications in the 59-64 GHz band, and commercial vehicle mounted field disturbance sensors for vehicle radiolocation (radar) applications in the bands 46.7-46.9 GHz and 76-77 GHz.

Licence exempt devices are radio apparatus which are exempt under the Radiocommunication Act from the requirement to operate under a radio licence in specified radio frequency bands and which conform to appropriate Industry Canada spectrum policies, regulations and technical standards. Licence exempt devices or systems cannot claim protection from other radio systems and cannot cause harmful interference into licensed radio services.

As indicated in the consultation paper, the Department has set out the technical standard requirements taking into account the developments in other countries with respect to these devices and applications, specifically those of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).Harmonization of the spectrum policy and technical requirements with regional and global activities will ensure that maximum benefits are derived.

Licence exempt devices may constitute transmission facilities as defined in theTelecommunications Act. The use of such devices in providing telecommunications services to the public for compensation could be subject to the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, including those pertaining to Canadian ownership and control requirements.

2.0 Background

In December 2000, the Department released a consultation document (DGTP-009-00) entitledProposed Spectrum Policy for Licence Exempt Wireless Devices in the Bands 46.7-46.9 GHz, 57-64 GHz, and 76-77 GHz (DGTP-009-00). Comments were invited on the proposal to open 6200 MHz of spectrum for new licence exempt applications.

The consultation document requested comments on:

• designating the band 46.7 - 46.9 GHz for LE wireless devices, restricted to vehicle mounted field disturbance sensors (as with vehicle radar applications);
• opening the band 59 - 64 GHz for LE wireless devices;
• designating services and applications in the band 57-59 GHz;
• designating the band 76 - 77 GHz for LE wireless devices; and
• the technical and system requirements for equipment certification in all 3 bands.

3.0 Policy Provisions for Licence Exempt Wireless Devices

3.1 General Discussion of Consultation Paper

Comments received provided strong support to open up the bands 46.7-46.9 GHz, 57-64 GHz, 76-77 GHz for LE wireless devices. Support was also given to the technical requirements for equipment certification which align with that of the FCC, thereby facilitating opportunities for Canadian industry in larger equipment markets.

Most comments received point to issues of clarification in the technical provisions contained in the Annex of the paper. Some respondents provided text to supplement the revised RSS-210.

Based on these comments, Industry Canada is now issuing a set of spectrum policy provisions for the introduction of amateur-satellite devices. Concurrently, the Department has established a baseline set of technical standard requirements for incorporation in Radio Standard Specification RSS-210. A description of these requirements is outlined in the attached Annex of this document.

3.2 Discussion and Policy Provisions for the Band 46.7 - 46.9 GHz

This band is currently allocated to the mobile, mobile-satellite, radionavigation and radionavigation-satellite services on a primary basis in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations.

The Department proposed in DGTP-009-00 to designate the band 46.7 - 46.9 GHz for vehicle mounted field disturbance sensors used in vehicle radar applications. With strong industry support to proceed, the Department is making the following policy provision:

The band 46.7-46.9 GHz is designated for use by licence exempt devices to be used in vehicle mounted field disturbance sensors (vehicle radar) applications on the basis that such devices cannot claim protection from other radio systems and services.Transmission of information by these devices will be allowed provided that the primary mode of operation is a vehicle radar system. As a baseline, the Department is establishing technical requirements which align with those adopted by the FCC for the operation of such devices. These baseline requirements are described in the attached technical Annex. Consideration may be given to other applications that can successfully co-exist.

3.3 Discussion and Policy Provisions for the Band 57 - 64 GHz

This band is currently allocated to the fixed, mobile, inter-satellite, earth exploration-satellite and space research on a primary basis in the band 57-58.2 GHz and to fixed, mobile, earth exploration-satellite and space research on a primary basis in the band 58.2-59 GHz. The 59-64 GHz band is allocated to the fixed, mobile, radiolocation, earth exploration-satellite, space research and inter-satellite services on a primary basis in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations.

The Department proposed to open a total of 5000 MHz (specifically 59-64 GHz) of spectrum for LE devices. Comments were also sought on the proposed technical standard requirements for the band 57-59 GHz, noting that preliminary discussions on spectrum etiquette have started within the RABC forum. The Department also solicited comments on preference for future designation of services and applications in the band 57-59 GHz.

The FCC has already adopted a spectrum etiquette for unlicensed operation in the 59-64 GHz band. They have also initiated a separate rulemaking to address appropriate technical rules for the 57-59 GHz and 64-66 GHz bands. Decisions with respect to the addition of licence exempt operation have not been made at this time. Respondents suggested that the technical rules in the 57-59 GHz band could be a simple extension of those adopted in the band 59-64 GHz. Until a final decision is made however, most respondents preferred holding off their comments on technical rules, future services and applications suggestions.

Cognizant that the FCC is still in the process of completing its rulemaking, the Department will defer the decision on the introduction of LE devices in the 57-59 GHz band.

Based on the strong interest from industry, the Department is making the following policy provision:

The band 59-64 GHz is designated for use by licence exempt devices on the basis that such devices cannot claim protection from other radio systems and services.As a baseline, the Department is establishing technical requirements which align with those adopted by the FCC for the operation of such devices. These baseline requirements are described in the attached technical Annex.

3.4 Discussion and Policy Provisions for the Band 76 - 77 GHz

This band is currently allocated to radiolocation service on a primary basis and to the amateur, amateur-satellite and space research services on a secondary basis in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations.

The Department proposed to designate the band 76 - 77 GHz for LE wireless devices. With strong industry support to proceed, the Department is making the following policy provision:

The band 76-77 GHz is designated for use by licence exempt devices to be used in vehicle mounted field disturbance sensors (vehicle radar) applications on the basis that such devices cannot claim protection from other radio systems and services.Transmission of information by these devices will be allowed provided that the primary mode of operation is a vehicle radar system. As a baseline, the Department is establishing technical requirements which align with those adopted by the FCC for the operation of such devices. These baseline requirements are described in the attached technical Annex. Consideration may be given to other applications that can successfully 46.7 - 46.9.

Amateurs in this band, while given secondary status, will have restricted access to the 76-77 GHz band. A separate consultation will be carried out to review the possible modification of the amateur service to a primary allocation in the band 77.5-78 GHz based on WRC-2000 decisions.

4.0 Technical and System Requirements for Equipment Certification

As indicated in the consultation paper, the Department has made the technical standard requirements taking into account the developments in other countries with respect to these devices and applications, specifically those of the FCC. Harmonization of the spectrum policy and technical requirements with regional and global activities will ensure that maximum benefits are derived.

Most comments received pointed to issues of precision in the technical provisions Annex.Respondents also provided suggested text to be incorporated into the RSS-210 for clarification purposes. Based on the comments received, the Department has finalized the technical requirements contained in the attached Annex. This Annex provides the baseline technical and system requirements for equipment certification. Further details on the equipment certification in these bands will be found in RSS-210.

Any variation from the technical limits adopted in this document will be developed by Industry Canada in consultation with the interested parties and incorporated into the document RSS-210.

5.0 Implementation

The Department is of the view that the technical specifications adopted in this document will provide sufficient flexibility for the implementation of LE-wireless devices and permit the orderly operation of other services. Further details on the certification requirements will be incorporated into RSS-210.

Issued under the authority
of the Radiocommunication Act

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