Proposals and Changes to the Spectrum in Certain Bands Below 1.7 GHz

1. Introduction

The purpose of this paper, announced in DGTP-004-05, is to make provisional and proposed changes to allocations in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations, and to the spectrum utilization of certain frequency bands below 1.7 GHz for several radio applications.

Spectrum accommodations are proposed or made for radio applications such as multi-use radios (MURS), trunked mobile, fixed wireless access applications and medical and utility telemetry applications.

Gazette Notice DGTP-004-05 invites interested parties to submit their comments to the Director General, Telecommunications Policy Branch, by January 25, 2006 for provisional decisions and by April 19, 2006 for all policy proposals.

2. Background

The demand for spectrum below 1.7 GHz for wireless services, particularly in major urban areas, continues to grow unabated. The Department has been approached by several parties to access spectrum for a wide range of new radio applications. For example, new mobile applications are anticipated for public safety, commercial and utility operation as well as new consumer radios. New fixed applications include medical and utility telemetry such as wireless monitoring in hospitals and health care facilities, automatic meter reading (AMR) and utility line load management. Interest has also been expressed to designate some unused and reserve spectrum in bands in the 900 MHz range for mobile and fixed wireless access (FWA) applications including broadband access. There is also a demand to align utility telemetry and medical telemetry applications with those in the United States.

Since the last major review of frequency bands below 896 MHz in 1995¹, demand has continued for more spectrum for a range of new radio applications including public safety. The Department has had to extensively manage the land mobile bands and introduce a narrow band redeployment of these bands to release sufficient frequencies for spectrum users. Also, a number of new radio service applications have been identified for spectrum accommodation.

3. Provisional Allocation Changes in the Frequency Bands 216–220 MHz and 220–225 MHz

The Department proposes provisional changes to the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations in the bands 216–220 MHz and 220–225 MHz.

3.1 Discussion

In 1993, the Department consulted on its spectrum policy for the range 30–960 MHz. Among the bands discussed was the sub-band 220–222 MHz (part of the band 220–225 MHz) and its potential reallocation from the amateur service to the mobile and fixed services. At the time, the U.S. had reduced the spectrum of the amateur service in the band 220–225 MHz and reallocated the sub-band 220–222 MHz to the mobile and fixed radio services. This was due to an urgent need for spectrum for mobile service requirements as well as to make more efficient use of this spectrum.

In Canada, given the need then for additional mobile spectrum and the benefit of aligning amateur spectrum for long-haul communications, there was a rationale to consider the same allocation changes. However, at the time the availability of narrow band mobile radio equipment had just emerged and the U.S. had just begun to licence radio systems for a range of radio applications. The potential success of these applications was unknown. As a result, there was no immediate interest. The amateur radio community, however, was opposed to the re-allocation of part of the band 220–225 MHz, as it anticipated significant usage growth in the band.

In December 1999, a Canada/U.S. sharing arrangement was concluded concerning the use of the sub-band 220–222 MHz in order to secure appropriate spectrum along the Canada/U.S. border for the future evolution of radio services. This arrangement set aside 100 kHz of paired spectrum for the exclusive use of the amateur service within Canada and along the border. The arrangement was judged necessary because the U.S. had re-allocated the sub-band 220–222 MHz to mobile and fixed services and were well advanced in deploying radio systems along the border. This arrangement enabled the official sharing of the band along the Canada/U.S. border and for different radio service uses to co-exist.

Since the early 1990s, there have only been one or two amateur repeater stations making light use of the sub-band 220–222 MHz. Most of the amateur use of the 220–225 MHz band has been concentrated in the spectrum between 222–225 MHz.

The use of the 220 MHz band is very light, in comparison with amateur radio use at the more popular 144 MHz and 420 MHz bands. There is an amateur emergency measures organization (EMO) network operating in the Maritime provinces between 220 and 224 MHz, but only one channel pair is in use. The majority of radio repeaters operate in a 1 + 1 MHz paired band configuration. In this band plan, the receive channels for the repeater stations are assigned in the sub-band 222.31–223.37 MHz with corresponding transmit channels assigned in the sub-band 223.91–225 MHz. It is reasonable to operate 3 or more repeaters in each large city across Canada in the band 222–225 MHz with well-coordinated deployment within frequency and distance separations.

The Department studied the number of repeater installations in the band 222–225 MHz to estimate the level of spectrum use over the last ten years or so. When comparing the number of repeaters from 1995 to now, there have been some decreases in certain areas and some increases in others. In British Columbia, the number increased from 5 to 11 repeaters. The Prairie provinces saw a decrease from 4 to 3 repeaters. In Ontario, the decrease was from 15 to 8 repeaters. Quebec and the Maritime provinces had a increase of 2 repeaters each. However, based upon the projection that 3 or more repeaters could be accommodated in each large city, and assuming there will be moderate spectrum utilization, the Department is of the view that there is sufficient spectrum to accommodate the amateur service in the band 222–225 MHz for the medium to long term (see Annex 1).

Today, there continues to be a high demand for mobile spectrum below 1 GHz. The Department has received representations on the pressing need for the sub-band 220–222 MHz for mobile service and other radio applications. Among the applications are those which accommodate the communications of public safety, railways, utilities, government and other operations. These needs, combined with the availability of cost-effective radio equipment, require the Department to reconsider the use of this band. There are many manufacturers supplying equipment in the band 220–222 MHz in North America and the international market.

The Radio Advisory Board of Canada (RABC) established a working group to study how the sub-band 220–222 MHz could be re-allocated to be aligned with the the U.S. and best be utilized. The RABC working group was made up of representatives from the Radio Amateurs of Canada, the railways, public safety, utilities, commercial radio service providers and equipment manufacturers. A set of recommendations was submitted to the Department to re-allocate the band 220–222 MHz to mobile and fixed services due to the growing need for new spectrum (see Annex 2). The Radio Amateurs of Canada participated actively in the working group, gaining an appreciation for the need to find new mobile spectrum and expressing their views over the band re-allocation. In the past few months, the wireless industry through an RABC committee, has been developing technical standards, a frequency plan and proposals for the designation of national frequencies and particular radio applications in the band 220–222 MHz.

The use of the band 220–222 MHz is already well deployed in the U.S. with over 36,000 commercial and 4,200 private radio assignments. The high level of radio system roll out in this band and the critical mass of radio equipment in use, have generated sufficient interest for Canada to open this spectrum for mobile and fixed service use and align it with the U.S. In addition, the current Canada/U.S. sharing arrangement is sufficiently flexible to enable Canada to deploy new radio systems and thus meet socio-economic needs.

In summary, re-allocating the frequency 220–222 MHz band to mobile and fixed use would open important spectrum to meet the needs of radio applications such as public safety, railways, utility telemetry and other operations. Canadian and U.S. use of this spectrum would be harmonized and would result in a common North American radio equipment market.

3.2 Provisional Allocations in the Bands 220–222 MHz and 219–220 MHz

In light of the public interest to open new spectrum for mobile and fixed radio services, the benefit of aligning this spectrum in a North American context, making a more efficient use of the spectrum and the public consultation carried out by the wireless industry (under the RABC), the Department is of the view that making provisional allocation changes is justified.

The Department is, herein, making provisional allocation changes in the sub-band 220–222 MHz, as follows:

• The amateur service allocation is reduced from primary to secondary radio service status.
• The mobile and fixed services are allocated on a primary basis.
• Canadian footnote C11 will permit limited operation of the amateur service on a secondary basis.

To further harmonize with the U.S., the Department considers it appropriate to permit amateur use in the frequency band segment 219–220 MHz on a secondary basis (i.e. no-protection, no-interference basis). Amateur use of the band would be permitted, by the Department under exceptional circumstances such as assisting in community disaster relief efforts. Furthermore, in recognition of the need to continue accommodating the amateur service and aligning the spectrum in a North American context, the Department is making a provisional frequency allocation change in the sub-band 219–220 MHz, as follows.

Canadian Table
MHz

216–220	FIXED LAND MOBILE 5.242 MARITIME MOBILE Amateur C11
220- 222	FIXED MOBILE AMATEUR Amateur C11
222–225	AMATEUR

ADD C11   In the band 219–220 MHz, the amateur service is permitted on a secondary basis. In the band 220–222 MHz, the amateur service may be permitted in exceptional circumstances on a secondary basis to assist in disaster relief efforts.

5.242       Additional allocation: in Canada, the band 216–220 MHz is also allocated to the land mobile service on a primary basis.

3.3 Implementation of Spectrum Allocation Changes

Given the public discussion carried out over the past two years on the need to re-allocate the sub-band 220–222 MHz for mobile and fixed services, the availability of spectrum capacity in the band 222–225 MHz and the accommodation being made in the sub-bands 219–220 MHz and 220–222 MHz for the amateur service, the Department is making these frequency allocation changes provisional. All the information presented shows that this will advance the public interest and make a greater and more efficient use of the spectrum to meet pressing mobile service needs.

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¹ Spectrum Utilization Policy for the Mobile, Broadcasting and Amateur Services in the Frequency Range 30–896 MHz, Part II (SP 30-896, Part II) — Gazette Notice DGTP-004-95.

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