ARCHIVED—Gazette Notice No. SMBR-006-08 - Publication of the Digital Television (DTV) Post-Transition Allotment Plan

Department of Industry
Radiocommunication Act

Notice No. SMBR-006-08 - Publication of the Digital Television (DTV) Post-Transition Allotment Plan

This notice announces the publication of the Digital Television (DTV) Post-Transition Allotment Plan. This Plan provides for the operation of DTV undertakings when the analogue television service in Canada ceases operation, at which time it will replace the DTV Transition Allotment Plan. The allotments listed in this Plan may be used before analogue television operations in Canada are terminated if they are compatible with the DTV Transition Allotment Plan.

Applications for post-transition DTV stations must be filed by August 31, 2011. After that date, Industry Canada may amend and publish the amended Plan, with allotment associations removed for those who have not applied.

To encourage the implementation of DTV, the Department also finds it necessary to further restrict the criteria for applications for broadcasting certificates for television stations, as indicated in the Department's advisory letter to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) dated September 26, 2006. Effective on the publication date of this notice, the Department will not normally consider applications for new regular power analogue operations regardless of channel. Applications for changes to existing analogue facilities will be considered only if there is no additional impact on spectrum utilization.

Industry Canada is also in the process of developing new Broadcast Procedures and Rules for post-transition DTV. In the interim, applications based on the post-transition plan can be made using the filing procedures described in Broadcast Procedures and Rules, Part 7 (BPR-7). BPR-7 can also be used to establish radio frequency (RF) compatibility relative to analogue TV National Television Systems Committee (NTSC) operations. However, the RF compatibility rules relative to DTV operations are currently under review as part of the development of the new Broadcast Procedures and Rules. Applicants are invited to contact the appropriate departmental representatives to obtain guidance on these aspects until Industry Canada publishes the new Broadcast Procedures and Rules.

Any inquiries should be directed to the Manager, Broadcast and Multimedia-Terrestrial, telephone: 613-990-4953, fax: 613-991-0652, e-mail: broadcast.gazette@ic.gc.ca.

Submitting comments

Interested parties should submit their comments within 60 days of the date of publication of this notice. Soon after the close of the comment period, all comments received will be posted on Industry Canada's Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Web site at http://www.ic.gc.ca/spectrum.

Respondents are requested to provide their comments in electronic format (XHTML, WordPerfect, Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF) to the Manager, Broadcast and Multimedia-Terrestrial, along with a note specifying the software, version number and operating system used.

Written submissions should be addressed to the Director General, Spectrum Engineering, 300 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C8.

All submissions should cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, the publication date, title and notice reference number SMBR-006-08.

Obtaining copies

Copies of this notice and of documents referred to herein are available electronically on Industry Canada's Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Web site at http://www.ic.gc.ca/spectrum.

Official versions of Canada Gazette notices can be viewed at www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/index-eng.html. Printed copies of the Canada Gazette can be ordered by telephoning the sales counter of Canadian Government Publishing at 613-941-5995 or 1-800-635-7943.

December 20, 2008

________________________
Marc Dupuis
Director General
Spectrum Engineering Branch