Spectrum Management and Telecommunications

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

Annex 1 — Number of Assignments in the Bands 216–220 MHz and 220–222 MHz

216–220 MHz
  Pacific PNR Ontario Quebec Atlantic
Base Station (FB) 3 0 0 0 0
Fixed Station (FX) 9 0 2 0 0
Land Mobile Station (ML) 4 0 2 1 0
Mobile Station (MO) 0 0 20 0 0
Radiolocation Mobile Station (MR) 0 2 0 0 0
Ship Station (MS) 23 0 0 0 0
Total 39 2 24 1 0

* 34 of these assignments are experimental

220–222 MHz
  Pacific PNR Ontario Quebec Atlantic
Base Station (FB) 0 0 0 3 0
Fixed Station (FX) 0 0 0 0 0
Land Mobile Station (ML) 0 0 0 7 0
TV Broadcasting Station 0 0 1 0 0
Total 0 0 1 10 0

* the 10 assignments in Quebec are experimental

Annex 2 — Radio Advisory Board of Canada Recommendations to Re-Allocate the Band 220–222 MHz

2003-12-30

The Radio Advisory Board of Canada (RABC or the Board) recently received an expression of interest and a request to consider making a proposal to Industry Canada regarding the use of spectrum in the vicinity of 220 MHz. Interested parties included commercial, industrial, public safety and railway users. In response, the RABC, through the Mobile and Personal Communications Committee (M&PC) set up a sub-committee to consider this request. At this time the RABC is pleased to provide Industry Canada with the results of its review of these requests. The Board believes that this input is an appropriate action and in line with the Department's periodic reviews such as SP 30–896 MHz —Part II. The RABC hopes that Industry Canada will find the input useful for keeping its spectrum utilization policy in line with current public needs in Canada.

  • The sustained development and expansion of new applications requiring land mobile spectrum, continues to grow and drive the demand for additional spectrum, particularly below 1 GHz. These new applications combined with the traditional land mobile requirements have produced a demand that outstrips current spectrum availability. While there is an urgent need for spectrum in the 700 MHz band, there is also a requirement for spectrum in the VHF bands with its unique propagation characteristics. Spectrum in the 216–222 MHz bands would meet these requirements.
  • The RABC proposes that Industry Canada initiate a new proceeding, as soon as possible, to consider the use of land mobile applications in the bands between 216 and 222 MHz.... as discussed below. Furthermore, due to the very light usage of this band, the Board believes that there is opportunity for land mobile activity to begin almost immediately.
  • The amateur mobile to mobile operation should follow the Department's transition policy as stated in SP Gen (Section 3.4). As noted above, allocating this band on a secondary basis will provide some relief for the users of the amateur service in the 220–222 MHz band and will facilitate cross border communication through harmonization with the U.S. Making it available at the beginning of the transition will provide mobile to mobile operation immediate relief.
  • If required in addition to the above during the transition, mobile to mobile usage should be limited to a specific sub-set of frequencies. This will allow timely access to this band by land mobile users.
  • Details of the current fixed amateur repeaters should be catalogued. The Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) have provided information from a recent survey...
  • The fixed amateur repeaters should be phased out in accordance with SP GEN. The length of time could be extended in rural areas. In the interim these repeaters would be treated as licensed systems by the Department and would not be assigned to land mobile use until the agreed transition period has ended.
  • Frequencies within this band should be set aside permanently for emergency communications. The RABC recommends that the frequencies be those identified for such use in the current 220 MHz Interim Sharing Agreement between Canada and the United States for this band. They are Channels 161 to 170 and 181 to 185.



Annex 3 — Current Status of Proposed Extended Bands and Released Spectrum

The shaded sections represent the bands that are proposed to be combined into new extended frequency bands and those where the spectrum is proposed to be released.

Current Status of Proposed Extended Bands and Released Spectrum
Frequency Band MHz Current Allocation Current Use
896–901 FIXED, MOBILE (except aeronautical mobile), Radiolocation Mobile for trunked and conventional mobile systems, carrying voice or data (paired)
935–940 MOBILE (except aeronautical mobile), Fixed, Radiolocation Mobile for trunked and conventional mobile systems, carrying voice or data (paired)
901–902 FIXED, MOBILE (except aeronautical mobile), Radiolocation For potential growth and expansion of the conventional and trunked mobile services or other applications (Reserved)
932–932.5 and 941–941.5 FIXED, MOBILE (except aeronautical mobile), Radiolocation Multipoint Communications Systems (paired)
932.5–935 and 941.5–942 FIXED, Mobile (except aeronautical mobile), Radiolocation Fixed Links (paired)
940–941 FIXED, Mobile (except aeronautical mobile), Radiolocation Reserved
944–952 MOBILE, Fixed Reserved



Annex 4 — Changes to Frequency Bands From Proposed Opening of Bands/Spectrum Release

The shaded sections represent the newly combined bands and the newly released spectrum.

Changes to Frequency Bands From Proposed Opening of Bands/Spectrum Release
Frequency Band MHz Allocation Status Proposed Use /Reservation
896–902 FIXED, MOBILE (except aeronautical mobile), Radiolocation Mobile for trunked and conventional mobile systems, carrying voice or data (paired) and some flexibility of certain mobile and fixed applications where justified
935–941
932–932.5 and 941–941.5 FIXED, MOBILE (except aeronautical mobile), Radiolocation Multipoint Communications Systems (paired)
932.5–935 and 941.5–942 FIXED, Mobile (except aeronautical mobile), Radiolocation Fixed Links (paired)
944–952 MOBILE, FIXED Wireless Access Applications



Annex 5 — Bands Under Review for Medical Telemetry Devices

The following is a summary of some of the current domestic allocations and uses of the bands currently under review for medical telemetry devices.

Bands Under Review for Medical Telemetry Devices
Frequency Band MHz Current Allocation Current Use Spectrum Sharing Issues
608–614 Allocated to the radio astronomy service on a primary basis and the mobile-satellite service (Earth-to-space) on a secondary basis. According to the Industry Canada Assignment and Licensing System (ALS) database, there are no licensed operations in this band. Radio astronomy observatories operate on a licence-exempt basis. This frequency band is currently underutilized. It should be noted that medical telemetry devices are already permitted in this frequency band on a secondary non-protected basis. (See Spectrum Utilization Policy SP 30–896 MHz, Part I.) None
1395–1400 Allocated to the fixed, mobile and radiolocation services on a primary basis. Allocated to the space research (passive) and Earth-exploration satellite (passive) services on a secondary basis. This frequency band represents part of the upper portion of the frequency range 1350–1400 MHz. It is designated for exclusive use by the Government of Canada for fixed and mobile services. Radio astronomy observations and the current and potential use of high-power radar systems are protected. Canadian footnote C27 states that "in the band 1 370–1 400 MHz, high-power stations of the radiolocation service have priority over the fixed and mobile services". The lower portion of this frequency band is currently underutilized. Medial facilities that are located in the vicinity of high-power radar installations will need to coordinate their use with these installations to avoid interference.
1427–1429.5 The bands 1427–1429 MHz and 1429–1452 MHz are allocated respectively, on a co-primary basis, to the fixed and space operation services and to the fixed and mobile services. Currently in frequency band 1427–1429 MHz, automated meter reading (AMR) devices are premitted (i.e. non-medical telemetry, paired with an additional 3 MHz of spectrum in the band 1493.5–1496.5 MHz in urban areas). In the frequency band 1427–1452 MHz and paired with the band 1492–1517 MHz, Multipoint Communication Systems (Subscriber Radio Systems (SRS)) are premitted. Medical telemetry will need to share spectrum with non-medical telemetry applications like automatic meter reading (AMR) and with the subscriber radio service (SRS).



Annex 6 — Plan for Medical Telemetry at 1.4 GHz

Current Canadian Use (in MHz)

Current Canadian Use (in MHz)

Current U.S. Plan (in MHz)

Current U.S. Plan (in MHz)

Proposed Canadian Use (in MHz)

Proposed Canadian Designation (in MHz)




Annex 7 — Proposed Allocation Modifications for the Frequency Range 1370–1400 MHz

1 370 -1 390 FIXED C5
MOBILE C5
RADIOLOCATION

5.149 5.339 5.339A MOD C27 C27A
1 390 –1 400 FIXED C5
MOBILE C5
RADIOLOCATION

5.149 5.339 5.339A C27 C27A C27B

MOD C27   In the band 1 370–1 400 1390 MHz, high-power stations of the radiolocation service have priority over the fixed and mobile services.

C27A        (CAN-04) In the bands 1 390–1 392 MHz and 1 430–1 432 MHz the fixed-satellite service, in accordance with 5.339A, (WRC-03) is withheld in Canada.

ADD C27B  In the bands 1 390–1 400 MHz radiolocation operations licensed prior to October 1, 2005 will continue to operate on a co-primary basis with other services in the band.

5.339        The bands 1 370–1 400 MHz, 2 640–2 655 MHz, 4 950–4 990 MHz and 15.20–15.35 GHz are also allocated to the space research (passive) and earth exploration-satellite (passive) services on a secondary basis.

5.339A      Additional allocation: the band 1 390–1 392 MHz is also allocated to the fixed-satellite service (Earth-to-space) on a secondary basis and the band 1 430–1 432 MHz is also allocated to the fixed-satellite service (space-to-Earth) on a secondary basis. These allocations are limited to use for feeder links for non-geostationary-satellite networks in the mobile-satellite service with service links below 1 GHz, and Resolution 745 (WRC-03) applies. (WRC-03)

5.340        All emissions are prohibited in the following bands:

1 400–1 427 MHz,
 
2 690–2 700 MHz,
except those provided for by No. 5.422,
10.68–10.7 GHz,
except those provided for by No. 5.483,
15.35–15.4 GHz,
except those provided for by No. 5.511,
23.6–24 GHz, etc.
 

5.341        In the bands 1 400–1 727 MHz, 101–120 GHz and 197–220 GHz, passive research is being conducted by some countries in a programme for the search for intentional emissions of extraterrestrial origin.

5.149        In making assignments to stations of other services to which the bands:

13 360–13 410 kHz,
4 990–5 000 MHz,
94.1–100 GHz,
25 550–25 670 kHz,
6 650–6 675.2 MHz,
102–109.5 GHz,
37.5–38.25 MHz,
10.6–10.68 GHz,
111.8–114.25 GHz,
73–74.6 MHz in Regions 1 and 3,
14.47–14.5 GHz,
128.33–128.59 GHz,
150.05–153 MHz in Region 1,
22.01–22.21 GHz,
129.23–129.49 GHz,
322–328.6 MHz,
22.21–22.5 GHz,
130–134 GHz,
406.1–410 MHz,
22.81–22.86 GHz,
136–148.5 GHz,
608–614 MHz in Regions 1 and 3,
23.07–23.12 GHz,
151.5–158.5 GHz,
1 330–1 400 MHz,
31.2–31.3 GHz,
168.59–168.93 GHz,
1 610.6–1 613.8 MHz,
31.5–31.8 GHz in Regions 1 and 3,
171.11–171.45 GHz,
1 660–1 670 MHz,
36.43–36.5 GHz,
172.31–172.65 GHz,
1 718.8–1 722.2 MHz,
42.5–43.5 GHz,
173.52–173.85 GHz,
2 655–2 690 MHz,
42.77–42.87 GHz,
195.75–196.15 GHz,
3 260–3 267 MHz,
43.07–43.17 GHz,
209–226 GHz,
3 332–3 339 MHz,
43.37–43.47 GHz,
241–250 GHz,
3 345.8–3 352.5 MHz,
48.94–49.04 GHz,
252–275 GHz
4 825–4 835 MHz,
76–86 GHz
 
4 950–4 990 MHz,
92–94 GHz
 

are allocated, administrations are urged to take all practicable steps to protect the radio astronomy service from harmful interference. Emissions from spaceborne or airborne stations can be particularly serious sources of interference to the radio astronomy service (see Nos. 4.5 and 4.6 and Article 29). (WRC-2000)