Spectrum and Telecommunications Service Standards

You can help us meet our service commitment to you by:

• ensuring your account is in good standing
• ensuring that your application is complete and accurate before submitting it to us
• providing all necessary supporting information
• signing, where necessary, your application forms

You can use our Spectrum Management System for a wide range of services, including submitting licence applications and tracking their progress.

The timeframes indicated in the table below apply only once you have submitted a complete radio or spectrum licence application that includes all of the required information. Service standards may be extended in specific circumstances as noted below.

While we strive to update this webpage as new service standards are established through consultations, please note that in the case of discrepancies, the service standards in the most recent decision documents take precedence over the information contained on this webpage.

Once you submit a complete radio or spectrum licence application, we will process it within the service standard timeframes indicated in the table above. Please note that these timeframes apply only once we have received all of the required information.

Service standards may be extended in specific circumstances, as noted below.

4.1 Negotiated due dates

Certain licence applications can be highly complex, involving multiple frequencies and numerous stations, and as a result, may require additional time to process. In such cases, we will contact you to discuss your application and establish a mutually agreeable due date. The service standard then becomes the agreed-upon date.

4.2 Coordination of frequencies

If your proposed radio station will be located near an international border area or will use frequencies that require coordination with a foreign administration or another agency, the issuance of your licence may be delayed pending the outcome of their process. Delays due to the activities of foreign administrations or other agencies are beyond ISED’s control, and will extend our service standards.

If you would like to discuss the coordination process and its impact on your application, contact your nearest Spectrum Management District Office.

4.3 Licensing for the satellite service

The licensing procedures outlined in Client Procedures Circulars CPC-2-6-01 (for fixed earth stations), CPC-2-6-02 (for space stations), CPC-2-6-03 (for generic earth stations) and CPC-2-6-04 (for foreign-licensed satellites in Canada) provide further information, including delays that may occur due to domestic and international coordination.

We will provide you or your radio service representative with advice on how to identify sources of radio interference. We may also investigate the problem and take appropriate actions.

Note that we will respond to interference situations involving safety-related communication systems on a priority basis.

5.1 Harmful interference and on-site visits

According to the Radiocommunication Act, harmful interference is a radio signal or other electromagnetic energy that endangers the use or functioning of a safety-related radiocommunication system or that significantly degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts the use or functioning of radio apparatus.

Where possible, ISED uses radio monitoring equipment and computer analysis to help identify sources of harmful radio interference. When a report of harmful radio interference is received, ISED will:

• request specific information from you in order to make an initial assessment (see “Your role in interference investigations” below)
• provide advice to you or your radio service representative to help identify the source of the interference
• initiate, where required, a technical investigation to identify the source of the interference
• advise you of the results of our investigation within 84 calendar days (12 weeks), as shown in the table above

We will consider the need for on-site visits on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the radio interference and how often it occurs, as well as actions already taken to attempt a resolution of the problem.

5.2 Non-harmful interference

Non-harmful interference, while inconvenient, does not significantly degrade or prevent desired radiocommunications. In such cases, we will assist you by discussing the issue with you and recommending appropriate courses of action for your consideration.

5.3 Your role in interference investigations

Before contacting us, please ask your radio service representative to confirm that your radio equipment is properly installed and functioning correctly, and operating in compliance with the technical parameters and conditions of your radio or spectrum licence.

If your radio service representative is unable to resolve the issue, please provide us with the following information to help us identify the source of your radio interference:

• your radio or spectrum licence number
• the radio frequency being affected and if any squelch tone is used
• the name and telephone number of your radio service representative
• the name and telephone number of a contact person familiar with the reported interference problem
• the actions you and your radio service representative have taken to address the problem
• the date and time that the radio interference started and how often it occurs
• the type of sound, voice or other noise being heard (if you hear a voice, please note the time, location and content of the information you hear)

If only mobile radio stations are being affected, note the geographic area(s) where the radio interference problem seems to be the most severe.

During an on-site visit, please ensure that someone familiar with the reported interference problem is available to assist us.

In addition to issuing radio and spectrum licences and investigating interference problems, ISED’s Certification and Engineering Bureau (CEB) establishes technical certification standards for radio and terminal equipment sold, imported and distributed in Canada. These standards ensure compatibility among all radio spectrum users and help minimize the occurrence of radiocommunication interference.

The table above shows our service standards for Wireless equipment certification, Wireless equipment recertification, Equipment registration and Equipment registration amendment.

An e-filing service is available through our Spectrum Management System to facilitate the certification of radio equipment and the registration of terminal equipment.

The table above outlines our service standards for issuing new amateur and professional radio operator certificates. You can help us meet our commitment to timely service by ensuring that your applications are complete when submitted.

For faster service, take advantage of our online option for the submission of applications, available through our Amateur radio operator certificates services or Professional radio operator certificate services.

We expect to meet our service standards, however, if you believe we have not met these standards, please let us know. You can start by contacting the ISED representative who served you.

If you do not know the name of the person who served you, or are not satisfied with the explanation provided, you may discuss the matter with the district manager or director, who will investigate and respond promptly.

• For more information, contact your nearest Spectrum Management District Office.
• For service concerns related to spectrum licensing of satellite services or radio licensing of space stations or mobile earth stations, email ISED’s Satellite Authorization section.
• For service concerns related to radio and terminal equipment, email ISED’s Certification and Engineering Bureau.
• For service concerns related to radio operator certification, email ISED’s Amateur Radio Service Centre or Radio Operator Certificate Service Centre.