Department adds more fixed wireless spectrum, auction policy coming soon

Industry Canada will release its auction policy framework later this year for the 3500 MHz band, but as an interim measure the department has opened up an additional 25 MHz of spectrum for fixed wireless access (FWA) services operating in that band. With the release of Gazette Notice DGTP-06-03 earlier this month, there is now a total of 175 MHz of spectrum available with the addition of the 3475-3500 MHz band to the core spectrum band of 3500-3650 MHz. The core band was changed from the 3400-3550 MHz band earlier this year (DGTP-002-03; RoW Update, Feb. 24/03). 3G spectrum consultation coming this summerThe long-awaited consultation on the release of spectrum for third-generation wireless services will get underway sometime this summer, Report on Wireless has learned. Fern Léger, director of spectrum and radio services at Industry Canada told RoW in an interview late last week that the consultation paper will be released this summer. "We had said we would fast follow the U.S.," he said. Last year, the Federal Communications Commission allocated 90 MHz of spectrum in the 1700 MHz range for 3G services (RoW, Nov. 12/02). "The spectrum the U.S. chose is the same spectrum we will be promoting, but we will be promoting more." Léger wouldn’t say how much spectrum will be released, but he notes that it will add to the already 180 MHz of spectrum licensed for mobile wireless services in Canada.Fern Léger, Industry Canada’s director of spectrum and radio services, says the auction policy framework is currently undergoing the approval process and will be released later this year. Pressed for a more specific time frame, Léger adds that it will be months rather than weeks before the final policy is issued. There was some speculation about whether the 2300 MHz band would be included in the auction of 3500 MHz licences. The issue turned out to be quite controversial during consultations as wireless cable players called for preferential treatment regarding access to the 2300 MHz band. During consultations on the auction policy for the 2300 MHz and 3500 MHz bands, wireless cablecos Craig Wireless Inc. and Image Wireless Communications Inc. stated that they wanted preferred access to the 2300 MHz because they are running out of spectrum (RoW, Oct. 30/01). While not specifically mentioned in the April 19 gazette notice, Léger confirms to Report on Wireless that the 2300 MHz band will be auctioned at the same time as the 3500 MHz band. According to DGTP-006-03, the additional spectrum will open up more opportunity for rural service providers. "In releasing this additional spectrum across Canada, there will be more opportunity to develop local distribution facilities to accommodate new services and service providers," states the notice (RoW Update, April 22/03). Band realignment In announcing the core band realignment earlier this year, the department had to undertake a technical interference assessment of radiolocation services with potential FWA systems in the 3475-3500 MHz band. Léger explains that following a technical assessment of potential interference issues with radiolocation services, the department determined that an additional 25 MHz of spectrum could be opened up. "We were able to assess the situation and we felt it was the right time to open that block," Léger tells RoW. "And in opening up that block it also provides the nice pairing of an additional pair. Instead of having two pairs and two stand-alone blocks, we have three pairs and one stand-alone block. So we felt it was better to do it earlier than to wait until we issue the policy framework for the auction."

Department adds more fixed wireless spectrum, auction policy coming soon

News | April 29, 2003

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