Decisions on a Band Plan for Broadband Radio Service (BRS) and Consultation on a Policy and Technical Framework to License Spectrum in the Band 2500-2690 MHz (sf10242)

Description of Figures

Figure 1 – Current Spectrum Attribution for Band 2500–2690 MHz

This chart shows that 98 MHz of unpaired spectrum was designated for use by MCS licensees to operate in the bands 2500–2596 MHz and 2686–2688 MHz ; and 92 MHz of unpaired spectrum was designated for use by MDS licensees to operate in the bands 2596–2686 MHz and 2688–2690 MHz .

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Figure 2 – Option 1 – U.S. Band Plan Model

The chart below is a reproduction of the FCC 's Broadband Radio Service ( BRS ) and Educational Broadband Service ( EBS ) Band Plan available at http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/brsebs/data/BRS-EBS-BandPlans.pdf.

FCC 's Broadband Radio Service ( BRS ) and Educational Broadband Service ( EBS ) Band Plan
Service Channel Designation Lower Frequency Upper Frequency
Guard Band N/A 2495 2496
EBS BRS 1 2496 2502
A1 2502 2507.5
A2 2507.5 2513
A3 2513 2518.5
B1 2518.5 2524
B2 2524 2529.5
B3 2529.5 2535
C1 2535 2540.5
C2 2540.5 2546
C3 2546 2551.5
D1 2551.5 2557
D2 2557 2562.5
D3 2562.5 2568
Guard Band J 2568 2572
EBS A4 2572 2578
B4 2578 2584
C4 2584 2590
D4 2590 2596
G4 2596 2602
BRS F4 2602 2608
E4 2608 2614
Guard Band K 2614 2618
BRS BRS 2 2618 2624
E1 2624 2629.5
E2 2629.5 2635
E3 2635 2640.5
F1 2640.5 2646
F2 2646 2651.5
F3 2651.5 2657
H1 2657 2662.5
H2 2662.5 2668
H3 2668 2673.5
EBS G1 2673.5 2679
G2 2679 2684.5
G3 2684.5 2690

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Figure 3 – Option 2 – ITU Band Plan Model

This chart shows the ITU Band Plan Model for the band 2500–2690 MHz . The band 2500–2570 MHz is paired with the band 2620–2690 MHz . Networks using frequency division duplex (FDD) technology will use the band 2500–2570 MHz for the transmission of their terminal equipment, whereas the band 2620–2690 MHz will be used for the transmission of their base stations. The band 2570–2620 MHz is unpaired. Networks using time division duplex (TDD) technology will use the unpaired spectrum. In addition, the bands 2570–2575 MHz and 2615–2620 MHz (within the unpaired spectrum) are to be used as guard bands.

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Figure 4 – Comparison of Band Plans

This chart compares the current Canadian spectrum attribution for the band 2500–2690 MHz (Figure 1 description) with the U.S. band plan model (Figure 2 description) and ITU band plan model (Figure 3 description). It also shows the exact spectrum blocks to be returned as stated in the 2006 Policy Decision ( i.e. , 2535–2568 MHz and 2657–2690 MHz ) and the DGSO-0010-10 Proposal to amend these returned spectrum blocks to 2540–2570 MHz and 2660–2690 MHz .

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Figure 5 – General band plan for BRS in the band 2500–2690 MHz

This chart shows the general band plan for Broadband Radio Service (BRS) in the band 2500–2690 MHz . The band 2500–2570 MHz is paired with the band 2620–2690 MHz . Networks using frequency division duplex (FDD) technology will use the band 2500–2570 MHz for the transmission of their terminal equipment, whereas the band 2620–2690 MHz will be used for the transmission of their base stations. The band 2570–2620 MHz is unpaired. Networks using time division duplex (TDD) technology will use the unpaired spectrum. In addition, the bands 2570–2575 MHz and 2615–2620 MHz (within the unpaired spectrum) are also referred to as Restricted Bands. The operation in the Restricted Bands is specified in Decision 1-5 of this document.

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Figure 6 – Band plan prior to April 1, 2011, in areas where the MDS spectrum has not been licensed

This chart shows that prior to April 1, 2011 in Region A, the unpaired spectrum 2500–2540 MHz and 2575–2595 MHz are licensed to Multipoint Communication Systems (MCS); and the bands 2540–2570 MHz , 2595–2615 MHz and 2620–2690 MHz are available for auction. The figure also shows that the bands 2570–2575 MHz and 2615–2620 MHz are Restricted Bands.

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Figure 7 – BRS band plan as of April 1, 2011, in areas where the MDS spectrum has not been licensed

This chart shows the BRS band plan as of April 1, 2011 in Region A. The bands 2500–2520 MHz and 2620–2640 MHz (20+20 MHz of paired spectrum), and 2570–2595 MHz (25 MHz of unpaired spectrum) will be licensed to eligible BRS incumbents. The bands 2520–2570 MHz and 2640–2690 MHz (50+50 MHz of paired spectrum), and 2595–2620 MHz (25 MHz of unpaired spectrum) will be available for auction. The figure also shows that the bands 2570–2575 MHz and 2615 MHz 2620 MHz (within the unpaired spectrum) are Restricted Bands.

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Figure 8 – BRS band plan, in areas where incumbents hold both MCS and MDS spectrum as of April 1, 2011

This chart shows the BRS band plan as of April 1, 2011 in Region B. The bands 2500–2540 MHz and 2620–2660 MHz (40+40 MHz of paired spectrum), and 2570–2520 MHz (50 MHz of unpaired spectrum) will be licensed to eligible BRS incumbents. The bands 2540–2570 MHz and 2660–2690 MHz (30+30 MHz of paired spectrum) will be available for auction. It is noted that the bands 2500–2540 MHz and 2575–2595 MHz was formerly licensed to Multipoint Communication Systems (MCS); and the bands 2595–2615 MHz and 2620–2660 MHz was formerly licensed to Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS). Former MCS and MDS incumbents eligible for BRS licences are allowed to reconfigure their current spectrum holdings through voluntary agreements in the bands 2500–2540 MHz and 2570–2660 MHz that would facilitate the use of paired spectrum. The figure also shows that in the bands 2570–2575 MHz and 2615 MHz 2620 MHz (within the unpaired spectrum) are Restricted Bands.

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Figure 9 – BRS band plan (where Industry Canada is required to intervene to facilitate the use of paired spectrum)

This chart shows the BRS band plan in Region B if voluntary agreements cannot be reached by incumbent operators to reconfigure their current spectrum holdings to facilitate the use of paired spectrum and government intervention is required. The former Multipoint Communication Systems (MCS) incumbent will be reassigned to operate in the bands 2500–2520 MHz and 2620–2640 MHz (20+20 MHz paired spectrum) and 2570–2595 MHz (25 MHz unpaired spectrum). The former Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) incumbent will be reassigned to operate in the bands 2520–2540 MHz and 2640–2660 MHz (20+20 MHz paired spectrum) and 2595–2620 MHz (25 MHz unpaired spectrum). The bands 2540–2570 MHz and 2660–2690 MHz (30+30 MHz of paired spectrum) will be available for auction. The figure also shows that in the bands 2570–2575 MHz and 2615 MHz 2620 MHz (within the unpaired spectrum) are Restricted Bands.

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Figure 10 – Spectrum before spectrum exchange in Manitoba

This chart shows that before the spectrum exchange in Manitoba (Region C), the unpaired spectrum 2595–2615 MHz and 2620–2660 MHz are licensed to Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS); and the bands 2500–2570 MHz , 2575–2595 MHz and 2660–2690 MHz are available for auction. The figure also shows that the bands 2570–2575 MHz and 2615–2620 MHz are Restricted Bands; and notes that there are grandfathered site-specific licences for Multipoint communication Systems (MCS) in the bands 2500–2570 MHz and 2575–2595 MHz .

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Figure 11 – BRS band plan in Manitoba, as of April 1, 2011

This chart shows the BRS band plan as of April 1, 2011 in Manitoba (Region C). The bands 2520–2540 MHz and 2640–2660 MHz (20+20 MHz of paired spectrum), and 2595–2620 MHz (25 MHz of unpaired spectrum) will be licensed to eligible BRS incumbents. The bands 2500–2520 MHz and 2620–2640 MHz (20+20 MHz of paired spectrum), 2540–2570 MHz and 2660–2690 MHz (30+30 MHz of paired spectrum), and 2570–2595 MHz (25 MHz of unpaired spectrum) will be available for auction. The figure also shows that the bands 2570–2575 MHz and 2615 MHz 2620 MHz (within the unpaired spectrum) are Restricted Bands; and notes that there are grandfathered site-specific licences for Multipoint communication Systems (MCS) in the bands 2500–2570 MHz and 2575–2595 MHz .

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Figure 12 – 2500 MHz Spectrum Grid (for referencing purposes only)

This chart shows the 2500 MHz spectrum grid based on 5 MHz blocks for referencing purposes only. Channels A1 to A14 are paired with A1' to A14' (2500 to 2570 MHz paired with 2620 MHz to 2690 MHz ); and channels B1 to B10 (2570 MHz to 2620 MHz ) are unpaired.

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Figure 13 – Spectrum available for auction in regions (shown as Regions A in Appendix A) where the MDS spectrum has not been licensed

This chart shows that in Region A, channels A5 to A14 paired with A5' to A14' (2520 to 2570 MHz paired with 2640 MHz to 2690 MHz ), a total of 50+50 MHz of paired spectrum is available for auction. In addition, channels B6 to B10 (2595 MHz to 2620 MHz ), a total of 25 MHz of unpaired spectrum is also available for auction. The figure also shows that in the unpaired spectrum channel B10 (2615 MHz to 2620 MHz ) 5 MHz is a Restricted Band.

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Figure 14 – Spectrum available for auction in regions (shown as Region B in Appendix A) where both the MCS and the MDS spectrum have been licensed

This chart shows that in Region B, channels A9 to A14 paired with A9' to A14' (2540 MHz to 2570 MHz paired with 2660 MHz to 2690 MHz ), a total of 30+30 MHz of paired spectrum is available for auction.

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Figure 15 – Spectrum available for auction in Manitoba (shown as Region C in Appendix A)

This chart shows that in Region C, channels A1 to A4 paired with A1' to A4' (2500 MHz to 2520 MHz paired with 2620 MHz to 2640 MHz ) and channels A9 to A14 paired with A9' to A14' (2540 MHz to 2570 MHz paired with 2660 MHz to 2690 MHz ), a total of 50+50 MHz paired spectrum is available for auction. In addition, channels B1 to B5 (2570 MHz to 2595 MHz ), a total of 25 MHz of unpaired spectrum is also available for auction. The figure also shows that in the unpaired spectrum channel B1 (2570 MHz to 2575 MHz ) 5 MHz is a Restricted Band.

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Appendix A – Map of Incumbents in the 2500 MHz Band

This figure shows a map of Canada with respect to previous Multipoint Communication Systems (MCS) and Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) spectrum licensing. Three Regions are shown. Region A includes the areas where the MDS spectrum has not been licensed. These areas are the Atlantic Provinces, most of Quebec, most of Ontario, the province of Alberta, most of British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Region B includes the areas where both MCS and MDS spectrum have been licensed. These areas are southern areas of Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, as well as the province of Saskatchewan. Region C is Manitoba. This figure also shows the site-specific licences in Manitoba, Calgary, British Columbia and Quebec, as well as the CRTC licence-exempt broadcast stations in Ontario and Quebec.

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