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

8.2 Spectrum Policy for Utility Telemetry Applications

This section advances a series of spectrum designations aimed at harmonizing the spectrum use with the U.S. for utility telemetry and automatic meter reading. As outlined in the previous section, the FCC made a switch of spectrum by designating the band 1427–1429.5 MHz for medical telemetry applications and the band 1429.5–1432 MHz for utility telemetry. Similarly, the Department has proposed in the previous section that the band 1427–1429.5 MHz be designated for medical telemetry and is proposing here that the band 1429.5–1432 MHz be designated for utility telemetry and AMR applications. To facilitate these changes, a moratorium is being placed on the licensing of AMR and SRS (channel S1) applications in the band 1427–1429.5 MHz until the decision for utility systems and medical telemetry systems has been made in the final spectrum utilization policy. The original requirement for N-MCS/AMR applications indicated that these systems would need access to a 1 MHz block of spectrum. However, current system requirements have been scaled down to the point where several competing systems could deploy within the same 1 MHz of spectrum, at least in the short term.

Recognizing the timing of the consultation and final decisions for the bands, the Department is of the view that these provisions will need to be made to permit on-going planning and implementation of N-MCS systems for AMR applications. The Department will therefore add a designation to N-MCS for AMR in the band 1429.5–1430.5 MHz band.

These steps could lead to the alignment and harmonization of this spectrum. Therefore, the Department will provisionally:

1. place a moratorium on the authorization, of SRS operations in the band 1427–1430.5 MHz (Channel S1) and on the authorization of utility telemetry operations in the band 1427–1429.5 MHz, until the relationship between these systems and medical telemetry systems has been decided in the final spectrum utilization policy; and
2. designate the band 1429.5–1430.5 MHz to N-MCS for AMR applications.

Thirty days after the release of this document provisions to designate this spectrum for N-MCS AMR applications will be implemented, unless the Department receives compelling arguments to the contrary.

NB While the band 1430–1430.5 MHz band was not originally designated to N-MCS for AMR applications, it is still within the bandwidth of SRS channel S1 and therefore the increased impact on coordination, including adjacent channel concerns with S2, are deemed to be minimal.

There are several spectrum resources and wireline facilities that could accommodate AMR applications, including the licence-exempt bands (i.e. 902–928 MHz), as well as the integration of meter reading service on existing wireless networks (i.e. PCS, mobile data networks, etc.). Therefore, the Department intends to assess N-MCS for AMR applications in the band 1429.5–1430.5 MHz in urban areas. With the current spectrum resources available for AMR applications, it is anticipated that additional spectrum for AMR applications in the band 1429.5–1430.5 MHz would be on a first-come, first-served basis in urban areas.

Should the number of applications received exceed the supply in one or a number of areas, the Department will consider initiating a competitive process after consulting with applicants. The approach is consistent with the policy paper entitled Guidelines for Licensing and Spectrum Release Plan, (RP-20).

8.2.1 Additional Spectrum for Telemetry Applications

In addition, it is proposed to designate the band 1430.5–1432 for utility telemetry. The relationship between AMR systems and SRS systems would remain the same as already developed (i.e. preference is given to AMR systems within urban areas and their vicinities. Outside of urban areas, access for SRS systems is given priority).

Therefore, the Department proposes that:

1. the band 1430.5–1432 MHz be designated and licensed for N-MCS for AMR applications;
2. a wide range of telemetry applications be permitted in the band 1429.5–1432 MHz; and
3. in the band 1430.5–1432 MHz, priority be given to N-MCS for AMR applications in urban areas and their vicinities, while outside of urban areas priority would be given to SRS systems.

8.2.2 Proposed Spectrum Policy for New Applications in the Bands 1390–1395 MHz and 1432–1435 MHz

In the U.S., there have been a number entities requesting the allocation of the bands 1390–1395 MHz and 1427–1435 MHz to relieve crowded land mobile bands below 1 GHz. Proposals were made for new services, to be for commercial, public safety and utility telemetry applications as well as a request to allocate some spectrum to Little LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite systems. The FCC responded by making a total of eight megahertz of spectrum available for use by the mobile service (except aeronautical mobile).

The bands 1390–1395 MHz and 1432–1435 MHz were allocated to the fixed and mobile services (except aeronautical mobile). The bands 1392–1395 and 1432–1435 MHz were made available on a paired basis, while the band 1390–1392 MHz is on an unpaired basis.

In the U.S., the band 1390–1395 MHz is used for long-range radars, military test range telemetry links, tactical radio relays, and radio astronomy. There are 17 military radar sites in the band which require protection until the year 2009. High-power radars continue to operate in the lower adjacent band which could affect the performance of receivers in the band 1390–1395 MHz. In addition, there is no frequency assignment in the geographic areas where radioastronomy is conducted and airborne and satellite downlink operations are prohibited. The band 1432–1435 MHz is used by the military for tactical radio relay communications, aeronautical telemetry and telecommand, and various types of weapon systems with operations at 23 sites which will need to be protected indefinitely. The protection areas range from 3 kilometres to 160 kilometres in radius and are scattered around the continental United States and Alaska.

In Canada, within the radiolocation service allocation in the band 1370–1400 MHz, there are a number of short/long-range radars such as those in the Northern Warning System and for coastal surveillance in northern areas of Canada. These are generally located above the 58^th parallel. Also, there are radar stations in operation in more southern regions of Canada, more specifically in Holdberg, British Columbia, North Bay, Ontario, Sydney and Barrington, Nova Scotia, and Gander, Newfoundland.

The Department is therefore proposing a number of allocation changes to the band 1390–1400 MHz which will facilitate the co-channel operation of flexible use systems in the fixed and mobile services.

First, it is proposed to remove the allocation to the radiolocation service in the band 1390–1400 MHz. Radiolocation systems licensed prior to October 1, 2005 will continue to operate on a co-primary basis with the other services in the band. There will still be a potential for adjacent band interference from high-power radars, but since there is not expected to be significant growth in the requirement for radars at new locations in the band 1370–1390 MHz, this situation should be able to be coordinated with the new services in the adjacent band 1390–1400 MHz.

Second, domestic footnote C5 currently limits the use of the fixed and mobile services in the band 1370–1400 MHz to the government of Canada. It is proposed to remove the application of C5 to the band 1390–1400 MHz and allow the use of fixed and mobile services for commercial purposes.

Third, domestic footnote C27 gives high-power stations in the radiolocation service priority over the fixed and mobile services in the band 1370–1400 MHz. The Department is proposing to modify the footnote to remove the band 1390–1400 MHz to the reflect the allocation change proposed above. Priority for radiolocation will remain in the band 1370–1390 MHz.

Fourth, a new domestic footnote C27B will be added to grandfather the current radiolocation systems in the band 1390–1400 MHz licensed prior to October 1, 2005.

These proposed modifications to the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations are shown in Annex 7.

Recognizing the value of harmonizing spectrum use with that in the U.S., the Department proposes to align the designations in the bands 1390–1395 and 1432–1435 MHz for fixed and mobile (except aeronautical mobile) flexible use. The band 1432–1435 MHz extends the overlap of new services to the first three channels of the SRS channel plan (S1, S2, and S3).

In making the following proposal, the Department is aware that significant progress has been made since 1975 when the 1500 MHz band was opened for SRS to improve rural telephone service. Very few new SRS systems are being built and significant new spectrum at 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz has been licensed for wireless access in all regions of Canada.

The Department therefore proposes to:

• designate the bands 1390–1392 MHz, 1392–1395 MHz and 1432–1435 MHz for new wireless applications.

There is likely sufficient initial demand for mobile spectrum in urban areas to trigger the requirement for a competitive licensing process. Thus, the licensing mechanism to release this spectrum would be the subject of a future consultation. The requirement for a Canada/U.S. frequency sharing and coordination arrangement will need to be examined prior to licensing flexible use systems in these bands.

8.2.3 Proposed Spectrum Policy for the Band 1492–1504 MHz

The band 1492–1504 MHz corresponds to channels S1', S2' and S3' of the subscriber radio system (SRS) channel plan with the return pairings in the 1427–1437.5 MHz band.

As discussed in Section 8.1 of this document, SP 1–3 GHz made provisions for 6 MHz of spectrum to facilitate narrowband multi-point communications service (N-MCS) for utility telemetry applications such as automatic meter reading (AMR) which included a designation in the band 1493.5–1496.5 MHz (SRS channel S1').

In November 2004, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) held a public hearing on three applications to provide subscription digital audio broadcasting services. Two proposed the use of specialized U.S. satellite facilities as a means of distributing the Canadian services, while the third proposal was for a terrestrial based service.

In discussions with the CRTC and the terrestrial subscription radio applicant, the Department indicated that stand-alone terrestrial subscription radio distribution undertakings could use un-allotted spectrum in the band 1452–1492 MHz. However, an additional 5 MHz of spectrum above 1492 MHz (1492–1497 MHz) will be provided for the Windsor to Montreal corridor where there is insufficient capacity within the band 1452–1492 MHz.

Should the proposals for the band 1427–1435 MHz ( SRS channels S1, S2, and S3), be adopted, there would be a minimum incremental impact on the corresponding paired SRS channels in the band 1492–1504 MHz (channels S1', S2' and S3').

Therefore, the Department further proposes that the:

1. designation for telemetry in the band 1493.5–1496.5 MHz be expanded to the entire band 1492–1504 MHz with the exception of the Windsor to Montreal corridor, and should accommodate all kinds of flexible fixed and mobile service use to support utility telemetry applications; and
2. designation for SRS in the band 1492–1504 MHz would be expanded to allow implementation of wireless access applications and to support Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode systems.

NB See Annex 5 for the overview of the proposed spectrum polices for this and other sections.

8.3 Spectrum Policy for Flexible Uses of the Band 1670–1675 MHz

During recent modifications to the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations which incorporated the decisions of the 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-03), allocations to the fixed and mobile services were added to the band 1670–1675 MHz in addition to the allocation for mobile-satellite service (MSS). In the consultation for those modifications, the Department understood that one of the potential designations for use of the band was for MSS applications, paired with frequencies within the band 1518–1525 MHz.

The Department also determined that MSS spectrum should be harmonized as a minimum over the North American market to ensure the viability of the service, and that some regulatory provisions adopted at WRC-03 restrict the availability of the MSS spectrum (Earth-to-space) in part of North America. While the MSS allocation to the bands 1518–1525 MHz and 1668–1675 MHz is entered in the Canadian Table, the use of these bands for MSS is being withheld.

At the same time the Department noted that the Region 2 allocations to both fixed and mobile services in the band 1670–1675 MHz had not been adopted in Canada. This band was designated and licensed in the U.S. for flexible use by fixed and mobile services under a nationwide licence format to provide innovative wireless distribution applications. As there may be some opportunity in Canada for new service applications in this spectrum, the Department entered fixed and mobile allocations into the band 1670–1675 MHz in the Canadian Table. Domestic footnote C31A indicates that the use of fixed and mobile services is subject to future policy review.

A number of entities have expressed interest in having this band opened for flexible use of fixed and mobile services similar to that currently permitted in the U.S. There are currently a number of trials being conducted under developmental licences in the band.

The Department therefore proposes that:

• the band 1670–1675 MHz be designated for fixed and mobile applications (except aeronautical mobile).

It is anticipated that there will be sufficient initial demand for mobile spectrum in urban areas to trigger the requirement for a competitive licensing process. Thus, the licensing mechanism to release this spectrum would be the subject of a future consultation.

9. Conclusion

Based on the results of the public consultation initiated in this document and further internal evaluation, Industry Canada will make appropriate revisions which are in the public interest, to the related spectrum utilization policies for the frequency bands under discussion.

The Department invites comment on the spectrum designation proposals and related criteria and questions presented herein.

Issued under the authority
of the Radiocommunication Act

 

Larry Shaw
Director General
Telecommunications Policy Branch

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