ISED auctioning off 42 licences left up for grabs

The department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) is auctioning off 42 spectrum licences that either remain unallocated since its respective auctions, not been renewed, have been canceled by ISED, or that have been returned by a licensee prior to the end of its term. The department issued the notice for the upcoming auction of residual spectrum licences last week. Eight Tier 2 and 4 licences will be made available in the 600 MHz band covering Newfoundland and Labrador, Northern Ontario, Manitoba and the North. (screenshot via ISED) Twenty-five licences in the 3500 MHz band remain unused in Tier 4 areas of Quebec, Manitoba and the North. (screenshot via ISED) Nine 2500 MHz, Tier 3 and 4, licences will be up for grabs in Northern Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia and the North. (screenshot via ISED) In 2021 ISED adopted its Streamlined Framework that used a “notice-based approach to minimize elements requiring consultation and facilitate access to residual licences, while establishing a predictable and consistent format for future auctions of residual licences,” the department wrote in its notice. According to the Streamlined Framework, ISED does not have to issue a consultation to remove or maintain competitive measures for a residual auction. No competitive measures will be applied to the 2500 MHz licences, however, the department said it plans to maintain the set-asides from the original licensing frameworks for the 600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands. All 600 MHz licences and the nine 3500 MHz licences in the North were set aside in their initial auctions. “Given that these licences were auctioned in 2019 and 2021, respectively, ISED is of the view that the competitive measures established for these bands remain relevant, given the recency of the original auctions and as this will be the first time these licences will be offered in a residual auction,” the department wrote. As in its previous auctions, eligibility to bid on set-aside spectrum is limited to entities registered with the CRTC as facilities-based service providers, that are not national mobile service providers. A cross-band cap of 100 MHz will apply to the 3500 MHz spectrum licences for a period of five years starting from the date of issuance of 3800 MHz licences. The expiration date of all 42 licences up for grabs will align with the initial expiration date established in the initial auctions. As a result all year 20 deployment requirements will now become “end-of-term deployment requirements.” The auction will take place in January and the deadline for applications to participate, along with the pre-auction financial deposit, is Nov. 15 at 12:00 p.m. ISED will release its results on Jan. 25.

ISED auctioning off 42 licences left up for grabs

Brief | August 11, 2022

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ISED auctioning off 42 licences left up for grabs

Brief | August 11, 2022

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