Department sets rules for fixed and mobile services in channels 2 to 59

Industry Canada has set the rules for allowing the deployment of fixed and mobile wireless services in analog TV channels two to 59, but according to a representative from Canada’s wireless industry lobby group, it’s not yet clear where services can be implemented and how the licensing process is going to work. Last month, the department released DGTP-001-06 setting out the guidelines for utilizing unused or unallocated spectrum covering TV channels two to 59 in certain parts of the country. Using this spectrum is expected to provide "an opportunity to further advanced communications" in rural and remote parts of Canada, notes Industry Canada’s policy document. "The department concludes that certain unserved and underserved communities, at a sufficient distance from major population centres and broadcasting undertakings, could benefit from this policy," Industry Canada states in the document. But the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) questions the lack of details in the policy. "It’s really not clear on first reading what new locations opens up and it’s not clear to me what the licensing process exactly is other than there is an application and the regional and district offices will work on it," CWTA’s director of regulatory affairs Keith McIntosh tells Report on Wireless. He adds that spectrum licence fees regarding usage aren’t laid out in the policy. David Warnes, senior advisor, spectrum policy at Industry Canada, says that licences covering rural and remote areas that are sufficient distance from major population centres are open for licensing, as long as they meet certain criteria. "Licence applications will be authorized to providers in television channels two to 59 that are unallotted and unassigned to broadcasting services that are at sufficient distance from major population centres, broadcasting facilities and their service contours so as to not cause them interference, and on the condition that they do not constrain the provision of existing and new broadcasting services," Warnes explains. Parties have already expressed interest in using this spectrum for non-broadcasting services, according to Industry Canada. "To date, the department has received interest and applications for the deployment of fixed wireless Internet access services in rural and remote areas of the Prairie provinces," says Warnes. Licence fees are still to be determined, he says. "The department is currently investigating appropriate approaches for licence fees in this band for broadband uses," Warnes explains. "Service applications, technical characteristics and the relationship to existing fees need to be considered before proceeding to fix a fee in this spectrum band for these applications." The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. isn’t yet willing to comment. Canada’s public broadcaster says it needs more time to fully digest the impact of the policy on its operations and is studying the ruling. Despite the uncertainty with respect to areas available for licensing and the criteria for approving applications, the policy demonstrates Industry Canada is moving in the right direction regarding future uses of analog TV bands. "Generally, the department’s approach seems to be that they’re moving towards fixed and mobile communications for the television bands and we support that," McIntosh says. But there are still issues to be dealt with regarding the future use of these bands. The transition to digital TV is expected to open more analog TV spectrum with the result being more bandwidth for non-broadcasting services. These guidelines are a good start, but more needs to be done to address the shortage of spectrum below the 1 GHz range. "One of the things we’re facing without a definite date for the digital transition that really affects the ability for the department to move forward on the rest of the spectrum," McIntosh says. A fixed date for the completion of the transition to digital might help, however. McIntosh agrees, with a caveat. "We generally support flexible arrangements for industry, but we think that a date can sometimes work. But again, we’ve seen in the US the date moved around – a firm date is flexible at the same time. We have seen some progress and some accelerated movement from the broadcasters…but it’s always up in the air in what’s going to happen with the transition," he explains.

Department sets rules for fixed and mobile services in channels 2 to 59

News | July 14, 2006

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