SRSP-518 — Technical Requirements in the Bands 617-652 MHz, 663-698 MHz, 698‑756 MHz and 777-787 MHz

Issue 2,February 2019

 

1. Intent

1. This Standard Radio System Plan (SRSP) sets out the minimum technical requirements for the efficient use of the bands 617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz (which, for the purposes of this document will be referred to as the 600 MHz band) and the bands 698‑756 MHz and 777-787 MHz (which, for the purposes of this document will be referred to as the 700 MHz Mobile Broadband Services (MBS) band) for the provision of commercial mobile services.

2. This SRSP is intended to aid in the design of radio systems and specifies the technical characteristics relating to efficient spectrum usage only, and is not to be regarded as a comprehensivespecification for equipment design and/or selection.

2. General

3. This SRSP is based on the current or planned technologies being considered by the service providers in these bands in Canada. Revisions to this SRSP will be made as required.

4. Notwithstanding the fact that a system satisfies the requirements of this SRSP, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) may require adjustment to radio and auxiliary equipment in radio stations whenever harmful interferenceFootnote 1 is caused to other radio stations or systems.

5. The arrangements for non-standard systems are outlined in the document entitled Spectrum Utilization Policies SP-Gen, General Information Related to Spectrum Utilization and Radio Systems Policies.

6. ISED should be advised when potential conflict between radio systems cannot be resolved by the parties concerned. After consultation with these parties, ISED will determine what modifications need to be made and establish a schedule for these modifications in order to resolve the conflict.

7. ISED may require licensees to use receiver selectivity characteristics that provide improved rejection of harmful interference. For example, television broadcasting transmissions in adjacent bands may result in the generation of intermodulation products and other interference within 600 MHz or 700 MHz receivers located in areas where television signals are strong.

8. Equipment operating in the 600 MHz and 700 MHz MBS bands must be certified in accordance with Radio Standards Specification RSS-130, Issue 2, Equipment Operating in the Frequency Bands 617-652 MHz, 663-698 MHz, 698-756 MHz and 777-787 MHz.

9. Licensees are required to make available to ISED, upon request, information on certain technical parameters of their radio systems.

3. Related documents

10. The current issues of the following documents are applicable and are available on the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website.

Acronyms

TRAA – Terrestrial Radiocommunication Agreements and Arrangements

SP – Spectrum Utilization Policy

SMSE – Canada Gazette Notice

DGSA – Canada Gazette Notice

RSS – Radio Standards Specification

RSP – Radio Standards Procedure

CPC – Client Procedures Circular

SRSP – Standard Radio System Plan

SAB – Spectrum Advisory Bulletin

4. Band plans

11. This section outlines the band plans for the 600 MHz and 700 MHz MBS bands.

4.1 600 MHz band

12. The block structure for the 600 MHz band is shown in figure 1 and table 1.

Figure 1: 600 MHz band plan

Figure 1: 600 MHz band plan (the long description is located below the image)
Description of figure 1: 600 MHz band plan

This figure shows channel 36 starting from 602 MHz to 608 MHz, and channel 37 starting from 608 MHz to 614 MHz. This figure also shows the band plan for the 600 MHz band which is from 614 MHz to 698 MHz. Within the 600 MHz band, there is a guard band of 3 MHz from 614 MHz to 617 MHz. The paired downlink band starts at 617 MHz extending to 652 MHz, consisting of 7 blocks labeled from A to G. The paired downlink band is separated from the uplink by a duplex gap of 11 MHz from 652 MHz to 663 MHz. The paired uplink band starts at 663 MHz to 698 MHz, consisting of 7 blocks labeled from A to G.

Table 1 — 600 MHz band plan
BlockTotal SpectrumUplinkDownlink
Paired Block A 10 MHz 663-668 MHz 617-622 MHz
Paired Block B 10 MHz 668-673 MHz 622-627 MHz
Paired Block C 10 MHz 673-678 MHz 627-632 MHz
Paired Block D 10 MHz 678-683 MHz 632-637 MHz
Paired Block E 10 MHz 683-688 MHz 637-642 MHz
Paired Block F 10 MHz 688-693 MHz 642-647 MHz
Paired Block G 10 MHz 693-698 MHz 647-652 MHz

13. For the paired 600 MHz blocks A, B, C, D, E, F and G, base station transmission is in the frequency range 617-652 MHz. Transmissions from mobile, portable and fixed subscriber equipment are in the frequency range 663-698 MHz.

14. Systems operating in the 600 MHz band using duplexing schemes different than that outlined in paragraph 13 may be deployed. Such systems shall not interfere with, nor claim protection from, systems deployed in accordance with paragraph 13 and paragraphs 16 to 18. Furthermore, any possible guardband for systems using different duplexing schemes than specified in paragraph 13 shall be taken from the blocks used by the system.

4.2 700 MHz MBS band

15. The block structure for the 700 MHz MBS band is shown in figure 2 and table 2.

Figure 2: 700 MHz MBS band plan

Figure 1: 600 MHz band plan (the long description is located below the image)
Description of figure 2: 700 MHz MBS band plan

This figure shows the general band plan for the 700 MHz commercial mobile spectrum. This band is also used by public safety broadband systems and public safety land mobile radio services. The 700 MHz band consists of the lower and upper bands over the frequency ranges 698-746 MHz and 746-806 MHz, respectively.

In the lower 700 MHz band, three blocks (namely, blocks A, B and C) are paired, whereas 2 blocks (namely, blocks D and E) are unpaired. These pairs blocks are 6 MHz + 6 MHz each and the unpaired blocks are 6 MHz each. In the upper 700 MHz band, two blocks (namely, blocks C1 and C2) are paired in the frequency ranges 746-756 MHz and 777-787 MHz. These blocks are 5 MHz + 5 MHz each.

The Public Safety Broadband (PSB) use is in the frequency ranges 758-768 MHz and 788-798 MHz.

There lies a reserve block and a guard band of 1 MHz each, defined by the bands 756-757 MHz and 757-758 MHz, respectively. On the right side of the PSB systems band 758-768 MHz, there is the band for public safety land mobile radio services at 768-776 MHz. A reserve block is found at 776-777 MHz. There is another guard band of 1 MHz at 787-788 MHz. The PSB systems band 788-798 MHz is followed by public safety land mobile radio services in the band 798-806 MHz band.

Table 2: 700 MHz MBS band frequency blocks
Block Total spectrum Uplink Downlink
Paired Block A 12 MHz 698-704 MHz 728-734 MHz
Paired Block B 12 MHz 704-710 MHz 734-740 MHz
Paired Block C 12 MHz 710-716 MHz 740-746 MHz
Unpaired Block D 6 MHz 716-722 MHz*
Unpaired Block E 6 MHz 722-728 MHz*
Paired Block C1 10 MHz 777-782MHz 746-751MHz
Paired Block C2 10 MHz 782-787MHz 751-756MHz
* Downlink preferred

16. For the paired 700 MHz MBS blocks A, B and C, base station transmission is in the frequency range 728‑746 MHz. Transmissions from mobile, portable and fixed subscriber equipment are in the frequency range 698-716 MHz.

17. For the paired 700 MHz MBS blocks C1 and C2, base station transmission is in the frequency range 746‑756 MHz. Transmissions from mobile, portable and fixed subscriber equipment are in the frequency range 777-787 MHz.

18. For the unpaired 700 MHz MBS blocks D and E, base station transmission is preferred in the frequency range 716-728 MHz.

19. Systems operating in the 700 MHz MBS band using duplexing schemes different than those outlined in paragraphs 16 to 18 may be deployed. Such systems shall not interfere with, nor claim protection from, systems deployed in accordance with paragraphs 16 to 18 and paragraph 13. Furthermore, any possible guardband requirements for systems in the unpaired blocks using different duplexing schemes than the preferred (specified in paragraph 18) shall be taken from the unpaired 700 MHz MBS D and E blocks.

5. Technical criteria

20. This section covers technical criteria in regards to e.i.r.p., antenna height and use of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antennas.

5.1 Radiated power and antenna height limits for fixed and base stations

21. For fixed and base stations transmitting in accordance with section 4, the maximum permissible equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is 1640 watts and 1640 watts/MHz for a channel bandwidth less than or equal to 1 MHz and greater than 1 MHz, respectively. These e.i.r.p. limits apply for stations with an antenna height above average terrain (HAAT)Footnote 2 up to 305 metres.

22. Fixed and base stations located in geographical areas at a distance greater than 26 km from large or medium population centresFootnote 3 and transmitting in accordance with section 4, may increase their e.i.r.p. up to a maximum of 3280 watts/MHz (i.e. no more than 3280 watts e.i.r.p. in any 1 MHz band segment), with an antenna HAAT up to 305 metres. 

23. Within 26 km of any large or medium population centre, fixed and base stations may operate at increased e.i.r.p. if more than 50% of the population within a particular sector’s coverage is located outside these large and medium population centres.

24. Fixed and base stations with increased e.i.r.p. must not be used to provide coverage to large and medium population centres. However, some incidental coverage of these large and medium population centres by stations with increased e.i.r.p. is permitted. 

25. This provision also applies for fixed and base stations with a channel bandwidth equal to or less than 1 MHz (i.e. e.i.r.p. may be increased up to a maximum of 3280 watts).

26. For all installations with an antenna HAAT in excess of 305 metres, a corresponding reduction in e.i.r.p. according to the following formula shall be applied:

EIRPreduction = 20 log10(HAAT/305) dB

5.2 Radiated power and antenna height limits for mobile and portable stations and fixed subscriber equipment

27. Mobile stations, portable stations and  fixed subscriber equipment rules are specified in RSS-130, Equipment Operating in the Frequency Bands 617-652 MHz, 663-698 MHz, 698-756 MHz and 777-787 MHz.

5.3 Power measurement settings

28. The specified power values in section 5.1 shall be measured during any continuous transmission time with a measurement instrument calibrated in terms of root-mean-square (rms) equivalent voltage.

5.4 Stations with multiple antennas using multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) technology

29. If a fixed or base station is equipped with multiple antennas, the following rules regarding e.i.r.p. and antenna height shall apply.

5.4.1 E.i.r.p. for correlated transmission

30. When multiple antennas are used at a station to transmit the same digital data in a given symbol period (even with different coding or phase shifts) for transmit diversity or to steer signal energy towards a particular direction for enhanced directional gain (i.e. beamforming) or to devise any other transmission mode where signals from different antennas are correlated, the e.i.r.p. shall be calculated based on the aggregate power conducted across all antennas and resulting directional gain of 10 log10(N) + Gmax(dBi). Here, N is the number of antennas and Gmax is the highest gain in dBi among all antennas.

5.4.2 E.i.r.p. for uncorrelated transmission

31. When multiple antennas are used at a station in which each antenna transmits different digital data during any given symbol period (i.e. space-time block codes) or independent parallel data stream over the same frequency bandwidth in order to increase data rates (i.e. spatial multiplexing), or forms any other transmission mode where signals from different antennas are completely uncorrelated, the e.i.r.p. shall be calculated based on the aggregate power conducted across all antennas and maximum antenna gain Gmax.

5.4.3 Antenna height

32. The HAAT of a fixed or a base station with multiple antennas shall be calculated with reference to the highest antenna.

6. General guidelines for coexistence of systems operating in the same frequency blocks and in adjacent service areas

33. When various licensees are authorized to operate systems in the 600 MHz or 700 MHz MBS bands using the same frequency block in adjacent geographic service areas, coordination of any transmitter installations that are close to the boundary shall be required to eliminate any harmful interference that might otherwise exist and ensure continuance of equal access to the frequency block by the affected licensees.

34. Fixed or base stations operating in these bands in accordance with paragraph 13 in the frequency range 617-652 MHz  or in accordance with  paragraphs 16 to 18 in the frequency range 716-756 MHz  must not generate outside the licensed service area a power flux density (pfd) that exceeds −116 dBW/m2 in any 1 MHz unless agreed otherwise by the affected licensee.

35. Possible interference conflicts resulting from the operation of two systems in adjacent geographic service areas may occur. The resolution of those conflicts should be arrived at through mutual arrangements between the affected parties following consultation and coordination. When potential conflicts between systems cannot be resolved in a timely fashion, ISED shall be so advised, whereupon, following consultations with the parties concerned, ISED will determine the necessary course of action.

36. System expansion measures, such as addition of cells, cell splitting and sectorization, must not force major changes in the system of the licensee in the adjacent geographic service area, except by mutual agreement between the affected parties. Changes that would have potential impacts on the other licensee, including cell site locations, cell sectorization and cell splitting, require consultation with the other licensee.

7. General guidelines for coexistence of systems operating in adjacent frequency blocks

37. Possible interference conflicts resulting from the operation of two systems operating in adjacent blocks may occur even though the technical specifications of both this SRSP and RSS-130 are being met. The resolution of those conflicts should be arrived at through mutual arrangements between the affected parties following consultation and coordination.

38. When potential conflicts between systems cannot be resolved, ISED shall be so advised, whereupon, following consultations with the parties concerned, ISED will determine the necessary modifications and/or schedule of modifications.

8. Coexistence of systems operating in adjacent bands

39. Coordination between licensees may be required when interference conflicts resulting from the operation of two systems operating in adjacent bands occur. In this context, coordination involves consultation between licensees to ensure the coexistence between systems in adjacent bands. Licensees should consult ISED for the most up-to-date list of licensees in the area.

40. The resolution of these conflicts should be through mutual arrangements between the affected parties following consultation and coordination.

41. When potential conflicts between systems cannot be resolved in a timely fashion, ISED shall be so advised, whereupon, following consultations with the parties concerned, ISED will determine the necessary course of action.

9. International coordination

42. Specific coordination rules and procedures for the sharing of the bands 617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz between Canadian and United States (U.S.) licensees are under negotiation between ISED and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). ISED anticipates that the resulting coordination procedures will address licensee to licensee coordination between 600 MHz band licensees in both countries, similar to how coordination in the 700 MHz MBS band is already carried out. Licensees in the bands 617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz operating stations near the Canada-U.S. border are required to coordinate with U.S. licensees according to the upcoming Arrangement. Pending the new rules, licensees shall coordinate with U.S. licensees as stated below (paragraphs 44 to 48) . These requirements are subject to change from time to time in accordance with international agreements and arrangements.

43. Licensees in the frequency bands 698-756 MHz and 777-787 MHz operating stations near the Canada-U.S. border are required to coordinate with U.S. licensees according to Arrangement O:Sharing Arrangement Between the Department of Industry of Canada and the Federal Communications Commission of the United States of America Concerning the Use of the Frequency Bands 698-758 MHz and 776-788 MHz for the Fixed and Mobile (Except Aeronautical Mobile) Services Along the Canada-United States Border. The current coordination requirements are stated below. These requirements are subject to change from time to time in accordance with international agreements and arrangements.

44. Coordination of a new or modified station shall be required if:

  1. the station is located at a distance less than 120 km from Canada-U.S. border; and
  2. the ground level pfd produced by the station in the other country’s territory exceeds −116 dBW/m2 in any 1 MHz of the spectrum.

The coordination process is outlined in annex A.

45. For stations requiring coordination the ground level pfd across the border shall not exceed −96 dBW/m2 in any 1 MHz bandwidth unless otherwise accepted by the U.S. licensee and by ISED.

46. If a licence is transferred, assigned or reissued, ISED requires any existing agreement forming the basis for coordination to continue to apply regarding the new licensee unless a new agreement is reached.

47. Canadian licensees are encouraged to enter into agreements with U.S. licensees (Agreements) to facilitate coordination, which should:

  1. allow reasonable and timely development of the respective systems of the licensees;
  2. allow for the provision of services by licensees within their service areas on either  side of the border to the maximum extent possible;
  3. utilize all available interference mitigation techniques, including antenna directivity, polarization, frequency offset, shielding, site selection and/or power control; and
  4. continue to apply to any subordinate licensees or transferees.

48. Licensees must retain all data and calculations related to coordination of stations and/or Agreements and must provide ISED with such data and calculations, along with other supporting documentation, upon request.

Annex A: Coordination procedure near the Canada-United States border

A1 When coordination with U.S. licensees is required, Canadian licensees must complete the process outlined below.

A2 The licensee seeking coordination shall determine the maximum power flux density (pfd) value at and beyond the border that could be produced by any single transmitting station. In making this determination (calculation), the licensee shall use sound engineering practices and generally accepted terrain‑sensitive propagation models.

A3 The licensee must communicate with any affected U.S. licensee and either enter into an Agreement as defined in this SRSP or provide the U.S. licensee with a Coordination Request.

A4 A Coordination Request shall set out the following information and parameters:

  • licensee information (corporate name/mailing address/telephone/email)
  • licensed service areas
  • point of contact
  • location of transmitter (community/province/territory)
  • geographic coordinates of transmitting antenna
  • effective isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) (dBW)
  • ground elevation and antenna height above ground (m)
  • centre frequency (MHz)
  • antenna polarization
  • antenna pattern/tabulation of the pattern
  • azimuth of the maximum antenna gain
  • bandwidth and emission designation

A5 The Coordination Request shall be sent by registered mail (or mutually acceptable method) and shall provide notification that the recipient may respond by registered mail (or mutually acceptable method) within 30 days of its receipt to state any objection to deployment of the proposed facilities. It should be noted that the date of postmark shall be taken as the date of response. If no objection is raised by the U.S. licensee within this time period, then the coordination process may be considered complete.

A6 If a recipient of a Coordination Request raises an objection within 30 days of receipt of that request, licensees shall collaborate to develop a mutually acceptable solution to the potential interference problem (an Agreement).

A7 In the event that the Canadian licensee and the U.S. licensee cannot reach an Agreement within 30 days of receipt of an objection, the Canadian licensee may request that ISED facilitate resolution of the case with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States.

A8 A station that requires coordination shall not be placed in operation until an Agreement has been reached between the relevant licensees or until ISED and the FCC have agreed on sharing terms.

A9 In cases where there is no licensee within 120 km on the U.S. side of the border, no station of the proposed system in Canada shall produce a pfd at or beyond the border that exceeds 106 dBW/m2 in any 1 MHz bandwidth, unless otherwise agreed upon by both ISED and the FCC.

A10 If a licensee in Canada, operating in accordance to the above paragraph, is notified by a new licensee on the U.S. side of the border of the issuance of a new licence, the operational licensee in Canada shall seek coordination with the U.S. licensee within 30 days, using the process outlined in paragraphs A2 to A8.

A11 In regard to paragraph A10, if the licensees cannot reach a mutually acceptable solution within 90 days of receipt of the notification from the U.S. licensee, the Canadian licensee shall ensure that the transmit power of the relevant stations is reduced to meet 116 dBW/m2 within any 1 MHz power flux density (pfd) limit. Subsequently, the Canadian licensee may request that ISED facilitate a resolution of the case with the FCC.