Spectrum Management and Telecommunications

RP-020 — Guidelines on the Licensing Process and Spectrum Release Plan (2001 Edition)

4.4 Additional Spectrum for Advanced Mobile Services Including 3G

In 1986, the Department licensed 40 MHz of spectrum in the 800 MHz band to the cellular operators for the development of nationwide mobile radiotelephony service. Another 10 MHz was assigned to the cellular operators in 1991, for a total of 50 MHz. In 1995, the Department awarded four PCS licenses using a comparative licensing process for second-generation services, for a total of 80 MHz in the 2 GHz band (1850–1990 MHz).

Since the October 1999 publication of the Spectrum Release Plan, the following policy decisions and licensing activities have taken place:

In December 1999, the Department released a consultation paper which resulted in a policy framework and the launch of an auction for 40 MHz of the remaining PCS spectrum in the frequency range 1850–1990 MHz. A simultaneous multiple-round auction was held in January 2001 and, of the 62 licences for auction, 52 were assigned. The licences that were not assigned may be re-auctioned at a later date. Other assignment processes such as FCFS may be considered in rural or remote areas of Canada if there are no competing demands for the spectrum. In addition, the auctioned spectrum will be available on the secondary market.
As part of their input to the ITU for the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-2000), the mobile community identified a need for 160 MHz of additional spectrum by the year 2010 for the provision of advanced mobile services, including 3G. As part of its preparations for WRC-2000, Canada, together with 11 other countries of the Americas, submitted a proposal which identified the 1710–1850 MHz band as the preferred band for additional spectrum for International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 known as IMT-2000, the global term for 3G.
In June 2000, WRC-2000 identified a number of bands in the International Table of Frequency Allocations as spectrum for use by administrations wishing to implement IMT-2000. The prime bands identified are 806–960 MHz, 1710–1885 MHz and 2500–2690 MHz in addition to previously identified bands 1885–2025 MHz and 2110–2200 MHz, which includes mobile satellite components. The decision taken at WRC-2000 provides for full flexibility in the domestic implementation of these services.
In the June 2000, Policy Framework for Auctioning PCS Spectrum and in the October 2000, Amendments and Supplements and Clarification Questions to the Policy and Licensing Procedures for the Auction of Additional Spectrum in the 2 GHz Frequency Range⁸, the Department stated the following projection as to when additional spectrum was anticipated to be released:

"It is expected that it will take until the 2002/2003 time frame before all the necessary domestic and international arrangements can be completed in order to initiate further licensing processes of additional PCS spectrum outside the band 1850–1990 MHz. The Department intends to consult in the near future on modifying the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations to include the band 1710–1850 MHz for mobile services and designation for PCS services, in addition to the existing band 2110–2150 MHz allocated in 1994. It is anticipated that as a result of public consultations and related activities in the Americas to designate future PCS spectrum, that more than 80 MHz of paired spectrum could be licensed by the Department in 2002/2003."
In discussions at the June 2001 CITEL meeting held in Ottawa, strong support was restated by most countries in the Americas for the use of the 1710–1850 and 2110–2150 MHz bands for advanced mobile services, including 3G. In addition, the ITU-R has drafted band plans to utilize the entire band 1710–1850 MHz with a view to provide maximum global harmonization of the band plans and consider existing uses of the spectrum.
The United States announced on October 5, 2001 that it is examining the potential use of the 1710–1770 and 2110–2170 MHz bands and hopes to complete its assessment by late spring 2002. The FCC on August 9, 2001, also requested public comments on reallocating some spectrum in the bands 1910–1930 MHz, 1990–2025 MHz, 2150–2160 MHz 2165–2200 MHz and 2390–2400 MHz for new advanced wireless services. Although a deadline for auctioning additional spectrum had previously been set for September 30, 2002, the U.S. administration has proposed legislation to postpone this deadline until September 30, 2004 to provide sufficient time to fully consider all aspects and quantify the requirements for 3G.

Work Plan to Release Additional Spectrum

A number of issues need to be addressed to support the licensing of additional spectrum. The Canadian wireless industry has highlighted the importance of harmonization of mobile spectrum worldwide and especially with the United States. Industry Canada intends to proceed in step with the U.S. administration and has developed the following work plan leading to the release of additional spectrum.

Work Plan for Releasing Additional Spectrum for Advanced Mobile Services Including 3G

Due to the integrated nature of the North American mobile infrastructure, the Department is of the view that decisions on the amount and the timing of the release of additional spectrum will best be taken once the allocations are finalized in the U.S.

First Major Activity (after the U.S. spectrum allocation decision): Public consultation on spectrum allocations, spectrum policy, band plan, a general review of the spectrum cap and technical considerations.

Publish a paper on general proposals for spectrum allocations, spectrum utilization policy, a band plan, review of the spectrum cap and technical considerations.
Announce allocation and spectrum policy, band plan, decision on spectrum cap and technical requirements and standards.

Second Major Activity (after the U.S. rule making proceeding for the U.S. auction): Consult on the policy framework and competitive licensing process.

Publish a consultation paper on the policy framework and competitive licensing process.
Post comments, allow time for reply comments and finalize the licensing policy.
Publish the policy framework and licensing process; then, as a final step, proceed with competitive licensing of new spectrum and awarding of licenses.

The above schedule will allow sufficient time to consult and to develop frequency allocations, spectrum policies and band plans harmonized with the U.S. and other countries in the Americas. The release of new spectrum should be timely for the anticipated availability of technology that will enable a wide range of network and service capabilities in the North American market and beyond.

Industry Canada has outlined a work plan that will lead to the licensing of additional spectrum for advanced mobile service, including 3G, which will proceed in parallel with the 3G activities in the U.S. It is anticipated that as a result of public consultations and related activities, more than 80 MHz of spectrum will be licensed.

Graph 4 illustrates the amount of spectrum currently available for mobile radiotelephone systems and the spectrum resources which are candidates for future consultation for use in Canada.

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