SRSP-503 — Technical Requirements for Cellular Systems Operating in the Bands 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz

Standard Radio System Plan SRSP-503, Technical Requirements for Cellular Systems Operating in the Bands 824‑849 MHz and 869-894 MHz, issue 8, replaces SRSP-503, Technical Requirements for Cellular Radiotelephone Systems Operating in the Bands 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz, issue 7, dated September 2008.

The following are the main changes:

1. removal of references to analogue systems
2. additional provisions to address multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems
3. additional provisions to ensure coexistence with spectrum use in adjacent frequency bands
4. updated provisions for international coordination
5. additional updates and editorial changes and clarifications, as appropriate

Issued under the authority of
the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Martin Proulx
Director General
Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch

1. This Standard Radio System Plan (SRSP) states the minimum technical requirements for the efficient use of the frequency bands 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz for cellular communications and their evolution for advanced services.

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

3. This SRSP is based on the current or planned technologies considered for the cellular services 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 interference is caused to any radio station or system. “Harmful interference,” as defined in the Radiocommunication Act, means an adverse effect of electromagnetic energy from any emission, radiation or induction that (a) endangers the use or functioning of a safety-related radiocommunication system; or (b) significantly degrades or obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts, the use or functioning of radio apparatus or radio-sensitive equipment.

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

6. ISED should be advised when potential conflicts 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.

8. Equipment and systems operating in the bands 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz shall be certified in accordance with the current version of Radio Standards Specification RSS-132, Cellular Systems Operating in the Bands 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz.

9. Cellular service is not intended for communications with portable equipment on board aircraft or with aircraft stations (e.g. drones).

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

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

Acronyms

• CPC: Client Procedures Circular
• CTFA: Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations
• DGTN: Canada Gazette Notice
• DGTR: Canada Gazette Notice
• RP: Radio Systems Policy
• RSP: Radio Standards Procedure
• RSS: Radio Standards Specification
• SP: Spectrum Utilization Policy
• SRSP: Standard Radio System Plan
• TRAA: Terrestrial Radiocommunication Agreements and Arrangements
• TRC: Telecommunications Regulation Circular

12. The frequency bands sub-allocated to the cellular and advanced services are 824-849 MHz paired at 45 MHz separation with 869-894 MHz. The band 824-849 MHz is used for mobile transmit and the band 869-894 MHz is used for base transmit.

13. A band plan of the available spectrum is shown in figure 1 below.

Figure 1: 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz cellular service band plan

14. The sub-bands 835-845 MHz and 846.5-849 MHz paired with 880-890 MHz and 891.5‑894 MHz is identified as Sub-band B. (Note that in initial deployment of cellular service within the 850 MHz band, “Sub-band B” was designated “for systems operated by the local telephone-cellular service provider”.) For this duplex operation, the base station transmit radio frequency (RF) channels are in the bands 880-890 MHz and 891.5-894 MHz and the corresponding mobile transmit RF channels are in the bands 835-845 MHz and 846.5-849 MHz.

15. The sub-bands 824-835 MHz and 845-846.5 MHz paired with 869-880 MHz and 890‑891.5 MHz is identified as Sub-band A. (Note that in initial deployment of cellular service within the 850 MHz band, “Sub-band A” was designated “for systems operated by the other cellular service provider”.) For this duplex operation, the base station transmit RF channels are in the bands 869-880 MHz and 890-891.5 MHz and the corresponding mobile station transmit RF channels are in the band 824 -835 MHz and 845-846.5 MHz.

16. Systems using duplex schemes different than those outlined in paragraphs 14 and 15 may be deployed. Such systems shall not interfere with, nor claim protection from, systems deployed in accordance with paragraphs 14 and15. Furthermore, any possible guard-band for systems using different duplexing schemes than those specified in paragraphs 14 and15 shall be taken from the blocks used by the system.

17. This section covers technical criteria in regards to the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.), antenna height, use of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, and other technical criteria.

5.1 Radiated power and antenna height limits for base stations

18. Base stations transmitting in accordance with paragraphs 14 and15 are limited to a maximum permissible e.i.r.p. of 820 watts/5 MHz (i.e. no more than 820 watts e.i.r.p. in any 5 MHz band segment) with an antenna height above average terrain (HAAT) up to 150 metres.

Note: The height of the antenna above average terrain (HAAT) is the height of the centre of radiation of the antenna above the average elevation of the terrain between 3 km and 16 km from the antenna, for an individual radial. The final HAAT (also known as the effective height of the antenna above average terrain (EHAAT)) is the average of the antenna heights above the average terrain (HAAT) for 8 radial spaced every 45 degrees of azimuth starting with true north.

19. Base stations located in geographical areas at a distance greater than 26 km from large or medium population centres and transmitting in accordance with paragraphs 14 and15 within the frequency range 869-894 MHz, may increase their e.i.r.p. up to a maximum of 1640 watts/5 MHz (i.e. no more than 1640 watts e.i.r.p. in any 5 MHz band segment), with an antenna HAAT up to 150 metres.

Note: Population centres are defined in Statistics Canada’s Census Dictionary. Large urban population centres are defined as an area with a population of 100,000 or more and a population density of 400 persons or more per square kilometre. Medium population centres are defined as an area with a population between 30,000 and 99,999, and a population density of 400 persons or more per square kilometre. MapInfo files describing boundaries of these centres are available online.

20. 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. The population within the sector’s coverage may be determined from the MapInfo spectrum grid-cell data available on ISED’s Service areas for competitive licensing web page.

21. 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.

22. Base stations deployed prior to January 31, 2023 and located in areas outside of urban areas (as defined in SRSP-503, issue 7, according to Statistics Canada’s Census Dictionary and in A National Overview – Population and Dwelling Counts (Data Products: 1996 Census of Population), Catalogue number 93-357-XPB ) and operating with e.i.r.p. above 820 watts (up to 1640 watts) may continue to operate with such e.i.r.p.

23. All base stations, regardless of location and date of deployment, may be required to employ appropriate interference mitigation measures, such as decrease of e.i.r.p., in the event that harmful interference occurs.

24. For all installations with an antenna HAAT of more than 150 metres, a corresponding reduction in e.i.r.p. according to the following formula shall be applied:

\[ e.i.r.p._{reduction} = 20log_{10}(HAAT/150) \enspace dB \]

5.2 Base stations with multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas

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

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

26. 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 \( 10log_{10}(N) + G_{max} \enspace dBi \). Here, N is the number of antennas and G_max is the highest gain in dBi among all antennas.

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

27. 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 code) 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 G_max.

5.2.3 Antenna height

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

5.3 Radiated power limits for mobile and portable equipment

29. Radiated power limits for mobile and portable equipment are specified in RSS-132.

5.4 Transmitter unwanted emission limits

30. Transmitter unwanted emissions are specified in RSS-132.

5.5 Power measurement settings

31. The specified power values in sections 5.1 and 5.2 shall be measured during any continuous transmission time with a measurement instrument calibrated in terms of root-mean-square (rms) equivalent voltage.

32. In the event that a cellular system is authorized to use the same frequency block used by different operators in adjacent 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 both licensees.

33. Base stations operating in accordance with section 4 must not generate a power flux density (pfd) that exceeds -116 dBW/m² in any 1 MHz outside the licensed service area unless agreed otherwise by the affected licensee.

34. Possible interference conflicts resulting from the operation of two cellular systems in adjacent geographic 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.

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

36. All results of the analyses concerning the pfd and the agreements made between the licensees must be retained by the licensees and made available to ISED upon request.

37. Possible interference conflicts resulting from the operation of two systems in adjacent sub-bands may occur even though the technical specifications of both this SRSP and RSS-132 are 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.

39. Coordination may be required with public safety mobile radio systems operating below 824 MHz and 869 MHz in accordance with SRSP-502, Technical Requirements for Land Mobile and Fixed Radio Services Operating in the Bands 806-821/851-866 MHz and 821‑824/866‑869 MHz. In this context, coordination involves consultation between licensees to ensure coexistence between systems in adjacent bands.

40. Where an interference conflict resulting from the operation of systems in the frequency bands 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz and radio systems in adjacent bands occurs, licensees are directed to resolve the conflicts 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.

42. When a base station transmits with an occupied bandwidth that includes the frequency band 869-870 MHz, the following unwanted emission limits shall apply:

1. in the first 1.0 MHz immediately below the 869 MHz band edge (i.e. 868‑869 MHz), the power of emissions per any 1% of the occupied bandwidth shall be attenuated (in dB) below the transmitter output power P (dBW) by at least 50 + 10 log₁₀ (P (watts))
2. after the first 1.0 MHz immediately below the 869 MHz band edge (i.e. below 868 MHz), the power of emissions in any 100 kHz bandwidth shall be attenuated (in dB) below the transmitter output power P (dBW) by at least 50 + 10 log₁₀ (P (watts)). If the measurement is performed using 1% of the occupied bandwidth, power integration over 100 kHz is required

43. In order for public safety mobile radio systems operating in the 866-869 MHz band to receive protection from mobile systems operating in the 869-894 MHz band, these public safety mobile radio systems shall meet the following criteria:

1. the interfered transceiver unit is receiving its desired signal with a median received power level of at least −104 dBm or −101 dBm at its antenna input, for a mobile or a portable unit, respectively
2. the interfered transceiver unit meets or exceeds the following minimum receiver performance parameters:
   1. mobile transceiver unit for voice communications: 75 dB intermodulation rejection ratio; 75 dB adjacent channel rejection ratio; and, −116 dBm reference sensitivity
   2. portable transceiver unit for voice communications: 70 dB intermodulation rejection ratio; 70 dB adjacent channel rejection ratio; and, −116 dBm reference sensitivity
3. for an interfered transceiver unit intended for voice communications, measured carrier-to-noise plus interference ratio (C/(N+I)) at the receiver is less than 20 dB due to received interference; and measured carrier-to-noise without interference ratio (C/N) at the receiver is greater than or equal to 20 dB
4. for an interfered transceiver unit intended for non-voice (e.g. data) communications, measured bit error rate (BER) at the receiver is higher than the value designated by the manufacturer (e.g. 5%) due to received interference

44. A transceiver unit intended for voice communications that does not meet the minimum receiver performance parameters in paragraph 43(b) above can claim protection from adjacent band mobile systems provided that the median received power specified in paragraph 43(a) is upward adjusted to account for the difference in receiver performance. This upward adjustment shall be equal to the increase in the desired signal power level required to restore C/(N+I) ratio to 20 dB. The adjusted power level shall be used instead of the power in paragraph 43(a).

45. Licensees in the frequency bands 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz operating stations near the Canada-United States border are required to coordinate with US licensees according to  Arrangement S: 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 824 to 849 and 869 to 894 MHz by Cellular Radio Systems 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.

46. Coordination of a new or modified station shall be required if the station is located at a distance less than 72 km from the Canada-United States border. The coordination process is outlined in annex A.

47. The ground level pfd across the border shall not exceed −102 dBW/m² in any 200 kHz bandwidth unless otherwise accepted by the US licensee and by ISED.

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

49. Canadian licensees are encouraged to enter into agreements with US 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
4. continue to apply to any subordinate licensees or transferees

50. 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.

When coordination with US licensees is required, Canadian licensees must complete the process outlined below.

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

A Coordination Request shall set out the following information and parameters, including but not limited to, the following:

• 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
• equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) (dBW or dBm)
• 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

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 US licensee within this time period, then the coordination process may be considered complete.

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).

In the event that the Canadian licensee and the US 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.

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 (the Agencies) have agreed on sharing terms.

In the event that there is interference to an existing cellular station located beyond 72 km on the opposite side of the border, ISED may require the Canadian licensee to take appropriate steps to resolve such interference.

Any changes to the notified arrangements, including cell site locations, cell sectorization and cell splitting, require consultation with other licensees and notification to the Agencies.