Satellite spectrum authorizations

Spectrum licences authorize the use of a specific frequency/frequencies or frequency block(s) within a defined geographic area.

 

Find out more at:
About satellite communications


Apply for or manage a satellite spectrum authorization

On this page:

decorative image
 

Types of satellite spectrum authorizations

Before you apply for a satellite authorization, consult the descriptions below to see which one best meets your needs.

  • If you have a Canadian space station, apply for a space station spectrum licence. If you have a foreign-licensed satellite, apply for an approval for the use of a foreign satellite.

Space station spectrum licences

Issued to Canadian satellite operators, these authorize the use of certain frequency bands, at a specific orbital position or orbit, over a certain area, for the provision of specified services.

Approval for the use of a foreign satellite

Issued to foreign-licensed satellite operators who wish to offer services in Canada or communicate with an earth station located in Canada for various reasons, including launch and early operation (LEOP), data download, and telemetry, telecommand and control (TT&C).

  • Find out what type of earth station spectrum licence you need to apply for by consulting the following.

Site-approved earth station spectrum licences

Issued to Canadian entities operating earth stations that transmit and receive signals via satellites. Available for various types of earth stations, including telemetry, telecommand and control (TT&C) stations, gateway and feeder link stations, landing stations, transportable stations, and customer user terminals.

Generic earth station spectrum licences

Issued to Canadian entities operating earth stations that transmit and receive signals via satellites. Available for various types of earth stations, including fixed user terminals, transportable stations, earth stations in motion (ESIMs), fixed earth stations that are part of an environment-monitoring sensor network in the 401-403 MHz band, and mobile satellite service (MSS) subscriber stations.

  • If you have a site-approved earth station spectrum licence, you will also need to apply for site approvals for your earth stations.

Site approvals for earth stations

Issued to Canadian operators who already hold a site-approved earth station spectrum licence to authorize each and every individual earth station operating under the spectrum licence. Multiple site approvals can be granted under a single spectrum licence.

Who can hold a satellite spectrum licence?

In general, Canadian residents and organizations are eligible to hold spectrum licences. Full eligibility requirements can be found in section 9 of the Radiocommunication Regulations.

Your obligations

All spectrum licences come with a set of conditions, which are developed through public consultation. The purpose of the conditions is to ensure licensees make good use of the spectrum and don't interfere with one another. As a licensee, you must remain in compliance with these conditions in order to keep your licence.

Many spectrum licences require you to comply with the following:

Holders of satellite spectrum licences have the additional requirement of having to inform Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) of any possible loss in communication with the satellite.

For more information, see: Compliance information for licence and certificate holders

Fees

There is often a licence fee associated with the use of licensed spectrum. Licence fees are put in place to incentivize the efficient use of spectrum for the benefit of Canadians, and to obtain a fair return to Canadians for the use of spectrum. These fees are prescribed by fee order under the Department of Industry Act.

To remain compliant with the conditions on the licence, you must:

  • pay the fees for the issuance of your new licence
  • pay the annual fee every year that you continue to operate radio equipment under the licence

For more information, see: Spectrum and telecommunications fees

Frequency allocation

Applicants should consult the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations before submitting an application in order to ensure that the use of the proposed spectrum and its direction (either space-to-Earth or Earth-to-space) matches what has been allocated for use in Canada.

Be sure to pay particular attention to the footnotes associated with all of the allocations applicable to your satellite network.

Service standards

We strive to meet our service standards and provide prompt service for your request.

For more information, consult: Spectrum and Telecommunications Service Standards

Licensing processes

We use a variety of licensing processes based on the technical specifications, market demand, and policy objectives for the specific spectrum band. We consult with stakeholders, partners, and the public every time we launch a spectrum licensing initiative. When these public consultations close, we review all the comments to decide on the manner in which the spectrum will be licensed.

Licences are normally renewable unless a breach of a licence condition occurs, a reallocation of spectrum is required, or an overriding policy need arises. Any reallocations of spectrum take place only after a public consultation. When a licence is renewed, it typically includes new conditions of licence and new applicable fees.

Document hub

For more information, consult: Decision on Updates to the Licensing and Fee Framework for Earth Stations and Space Stations in Canada

We also have spectrum licensing frameworks that cover terrestrial spectrum licensing.

 Report a problem
Date modified: