SAB-002-10 — Clarification of Licensing Process for Assignment of Satellite Licences in the Bands 7900–8400 MHz and 7250–7750 MHz (X Band)

May 2010

Satellite Licences Available

Pursuant to the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations, the bands 7900-8400 MHz and 7250-7750 MHz (X band) are allocated in Canada to satellite services for use by the Government of Canada.

Following discussions with potentially interested satellite operators in late 2009, Industry Canada submitted filings to the International Telecommunication (ITU) for five X band orbital positions, namely at 91°, 103°, 107.3°, 113° and 129° West longitude. These filings, as well as other filings that may be submitted for this band, will be the basis for licences that may be awarded.

Clarification of Licensing Process

Typically, Industry Canada uses the first-come, first-served licence process for assigning spectrum where it believes that the spectrum supply is adequate to meet the expected demand. Competitive licensing may be used where there is potential excess demand relative to supply. In the case of the X band satellite spectrum, the spectrum has been allocated for many years and only recently has it seen limited interest for development by Canadian satellite operators to provide capacity to the Government of Canada. With several filings for the spectrum at the ITU and given the limited interest in using the spectrum to provide service to the Government of Canada, it is the Department's view that there is no scarcity of spectrum. Accordingly, Industry Canada hereby advises that it will treat applications to use this satellite spectrum on a first-come, first-served basis.1

Eligibility

Industry Canada will consider applications from existing Canadian satellite operators, or other Canadian entities that have a well-developed plan for becoming one, with substantive plans demonstrating that they are ready to use the spectrum at the requested orbital positions. Satellite operators who will be issued radio authorizations to use this band will be required to operate their satellite facilities as Canadian telecommunications common carriers as defined in the Telecommunications Act. To be eligible to hold radio authorizations to use this spectrum, applicants issued an approval in principle will be required to demonstrate their compliance with the applicable requirements as set out for radiocommunication carriers in section 10 of the Radiocommunication Regulations.

Issued under the authority of the Radiocommunication Act

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MARC DUPUIS
Director General
Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch

1 Prospective applicants should refer to Industry Canada's Client Procedure Circular CPC-2-6-02, Licensing of Space Stations, Issue 2, July 2008, which sets out the general licensing procedure and information requirements for such an application.