ISED releases consultations on licence-exempt spectrum in 95 GHz and 5.9 GHz bands

The department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) released a pair of consultations – one regarding a policy framework for radio local area network (RLAN) devices and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in the 5.9 GHz band and another regarding 21 GHz of spectrum above 95 GHz for licence-exempt use — in its effort to accommodate the “significant increase” and demand for spectrum usage. Licence exempt devices, for example Wi-Fi routers, use license-exempt spectrum. “Licence-exempt spectrum has witnessed a significant increase in use and innovative applications due to low barriers to entry and the low cost of licence-exempt devices, including RLAN devices. This has become particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic as Canadians have become increasingly reliant on RLANs (e.g. Wi-Fi routers and hotspots) to enable access to the internet and other applications,” the department wrote in its 5850-5895 MHz band consultation. According to the document licence-exempt operations in the 5150-5850 MHz frequency band have seen a “rapid increase” in demand with Wi-Fi being the most widely used RLAN technology to provide high-data rate wireless access over a local area “and has enabled low-cost internet connectivity for subscribers via a wide range of licence-exempt consumer devices.” As a result “mobile wireless service providers have become increasingly dependent on licence-exempt spectrum to offload their mobile traffic,” ISED wrote in its consultation. The department said it coordinated its efforts with domestic and international partners to make available common 5 GHz spectrum “in a globally consistent fashion.” The 5850-5925 MHz frequency band is allocated on a primary basis to fixed service, fixed-satellite (Earth-to-space) service and mobile service. On a secondary basis, the 5850-5925 MHz band is allocated to the amateur and radiolocation services. To optimize the use of 5.9 GHz spectrum, while enabling both RLAN and the ITS, ISED is proposing to enable both services in different portions of the 5850-5925 MHz band. ISED is seeking comments on its proposal to allow the use of licence-exempt RLAN devices in the 5850-5895 MHz band on a no-protection, no-interference basis, and to rescind the ITS designation in the 5850-5895 MHz band while maintaining the ITS designation in the 5895-5925 MHz band. ISED is further proposing that all indoor and outdoor licence-exempt RLAN devices have immediate access to the band range once appropriate technical standards are in place. “Indoor and outdoor licence-exempt RLAN operations are likely to pose minimal interference concerns on incumbent operations, particularly due to the limited incumbent deployments in Canada and the relatively low power operations of RLAN devices,” the department wrote in its consultation. In its second consultation, ISED noted that in the past several years it received comments supporting the release of spectrum above 95 GHz for licence-exempt and backhaul operations. That bands above 95 GHz are primarily used for Earth exploration-satellite service (EESS), inter-satellite service (ISS), space research service (SRS), radio astronomy service (RAS), radiolocation service, fixed service, and mobile service on a primary basis. On a secondary basis, the 122.25-123 GHz and 244-246 GHz bands are allocated for amateur service and 244-246 GHz band for amateur-satellite service. “Based on recent developments taking place internationally and the interest industry and other stakeholders have shown in the use of the spectrum above 95 GHz, ISED has recognized the growing relevance of this band. Consequently, ISED has newly designated it as a Priority 1,” the department wrote. “ISED is cognizant that there remains a level of uncertainty at this point in time regarding the various use cases of innovative applications using the proposed bands above 95 GHz,” it added. However, the department remains of the view that the time is right to open up spectrum above 95 GHz in order to “spur development” and innovative applications for the public interest. As a result it is seeking comments on the timelines for the development of an equipment ecosystem in frequency bands above 95 GHz and it is seeking views on the potential new use cases in spectrum above 95 GHz. It is also seeking comments on its proposal to allow the use of licence-exempt devices in the 116-122.25 GHz, 122.25-123 GHz, 174.8-182 GHz, 185-190 GHz and 244-246 GHz bands on a no-protection, no-interference basis. – Reporting by Jenna Cocullo at jcocullo@thewirereport.ca and editing by Michael Lee-Murphy at mleemurphy@thewirereport.ca

ISED releases consultations on licence-exempt spectrum in 95 GHz and 5.9 GHz bands

News | March 4, 2022

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ISED releases consultations on licence-exempt spectrum in 95 GHz and 5.9 GHz bands

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