CPC-2-6-03 — Procedure for the Submission of Applications for Generic Earth Station Spectrum Licences

This Client Procedures Circular (CPC) sets out general licensing procedures to be used when submitting licence applications for generic earth stations that are communicating with both Canadian and foreign-licensed satellites. It outlines the licensing process and technical requirements for the issuance of spectrum licences for generic earth stations (generic earth station spectrum licences), including application requirements and post-authorization procedures.

The procedure integrates the process previously described in CPC-2-6-06, Guidelines for the Submission of Applications to Provide Mobile Satellite Services in Canada, with the recognition that subscriber earth stations and Canadian space stations operating in the mobile-satellite service (MSS) are now licensed separately.

Inquiries concerning the licensing of generic fixed or transportable earth stations should be addressed to the closest district office of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). A list of district offices is available in Radiocommunication Information Circular (RIC) 66, Addresses and Telephone Numbers of Regional and District Offices.

For questions regarding mobile subscriber earth stations (including Supplemental Mobile Coverage by Satellite (SMCS)), or earth stations in motion (ESIMs), please contact the Directorate of Space Services – Operations at satelliteauthorization-autorisationsatellite@ised-isde.gc.ca.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (the Minister), through the Department of Industry Act, the Radiocommunication Act and the Radiocommunication Regulations, with due regard to the objectives of the Telecommunications Act, is responsible for spectrum management in Canada.

Section 5 of the Radiocommunication Act stipulates that the Minister may issue radio and spectrum licences, and fix or amend terms and conditions of such licences in order to permit the operation of radio stations or the use of radio spectrum in Canada.

In accordance with section 19 of the Department of Industry Act, the Minister may fix fees in respect of the rights and privileges provided by a spectrum licence.

ISED issues three types of spectrum licences associated with a satellite network, with each assigned a separate fee:

• generic earth station spectrum licence (this CPC)
• site-approved earth station spectrum licence (see CPC-2-6-01, Procedure for the Submission of Applications to License Fixed Earth Stations and to Approve the Use of Foreign Satellites in Canada)
• space station spectrum licence (see CPC-2-6-02, Procedure for the Submission of Applications for Spectrum Licences for Space Stations)

ISED also issues approvals for foreign-licensed satellites to operate in Canada (foreign satellite approval). See CPC-2-6-04, Procedure for the Submission of Applications to Approve the Use of Foreign-Licensed Satellites in Canada.

4.1 Generic earth station spectrum licences

ISED recognizes that many earth stations are deployed in bands for which specific coordination is not required between earth stations or with terrestrial services, or in bands where there have been no issues with harmful interference between services. In these bands, earth stations may be ubiquitously deployed when their technical characteristics are identical or similar, such as for customer-premises antennas for home Internet, ESIMs providing broadband connectivity, or MSS subscriber devices.

ISED will authorize, under a single generic earth station spectrum licence, different models of earth stations operating in the same bands if the stations are considered “identical.” A model of earth station is a combination of a radio, antenna and transmission line packaged as a unit. It typically has its own distinct commercial name or identifier and the manufacturer provides technical specifications for it. ISED considers earth stations to be “identical” if they:

• use the same range of frequencies
• have the same or lower maximum transmit power
• have the same or lower maximum antenna gain
• operate within the same range of bandwidths and type of emissions
• communicate with the same associated satellite(s)

The following types of earth stations are eligible for generic earth station spectrum licences if they operate in accordance with the table found in annex A. ISED will issue separate spectrum licences for the different types of earth stations even if they operate within the same frequency bands.

• fixed user terminals (consumer or business)
• fixed user terminals intended for self-installation by end users
• ESIMs (authorized on a no interference, no protection basis)
• receive-only fixed earth stations operating as part of an enterprise network that supports content and broadcasting distribution, and operating in accordance with SLPB-002-21, Decision on the Technical and Policy Framework for the 3650-4200 MHz Band and Changes to the Frequency Allocation of the 3500-3650 MHz Band
• transportable earth stations
• fixed earth stations that are part of an environment-monitoring sensor network in the 401-403 MHz band

MSS subscriber earth stations (including user terminals such as handsets) operating in bands allocated to MSS are also eligible for generic earth station spectrum licences.

SMCS subscriber earth stations (including user terminals such as handsets) are eligible for generic earth station spectrum licences when operating in MSS-allocated frequency bands designated for SMCS, as outlined in annex B.

ISED requires that applicants obtain a generic earth station spectrum licence prior to any generic earth station being deployed. Stations operating in the same band will be authorized under a single licence if stations are considered identical.

The relevant fee will be applied based on the amount of spectrum authorized, regardless of the number of earth stations.

4.2 Application process

For each licence, the applicant will be required to submit the information listed in section 5 and must receive authorization by ISED before the deployment and operation of any earth station. Applicants are able to apply for more than one model of earth station terminal in a single application and will be required to apply for an amendment to their existing spectrum licence should they want to make changes to the technical parameters of the existing model or operate a new model of earth station terminal.

Applications for generic earth station spectrum licences must be submitted using the online forms found on ISED’s Spectrum Management System (SMS). Applicants are required to attach various supporting documents as part of their application.

While an application for a generic earth station spectrum licence can be started, it cannot be submitted prior to the associated satellite(s) having been authorized. The associated satellite authorizations can be held by the applicant itself or by another entity, but if held by another entity, the earth station applicant must have an agreement in place to communicate with the satellite(s).

A complete application consists of the all the information listed in annex C.

For ESIMs and SMCS, which are authorized on a no interference, no protection basis, an emergency contact must be provided that will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in case of interference. A general contact at an operations centre (including a phone number and email address) may be acceptable if they are monitoring operations and can respond at all times.

Applicants must consider the service standards noted in section 10 of this CPC as part of their implementation time frames.

ISED will assess an application and provide one of the following response:

• Additional information required: The applicant will be advised of what information is required in order to continue the application process. The service standard will be paused until the information is received from the applicant.
• Application accepted: Applicants will receive a notification informing them of their application’s acceptance. This will be followed by the issuance of an invoice for the licence fee. Upon payment, the spectrum licence will be issued.
• Application denied without prejudice: Applicants will receive a notification informing them of their application’s rejection, followed by a separate email outlining the reason(s) for the rejection.

6.1 Assessment criteria for a spectrum licence

Applications for spectrum licences are assessed against the following criteria:

Eligibility: When applying for a new account, applicants must state how they are eligible to hold a radio authorization in Canada in accordance with section 9 of the Canadian Radiocommunication Regulations. If the applicant is a corporation, it must include the name, date, and jurisdiction of incorporation, as well as the incorporation number.

Spectrum allocation and utilization policies: Earth stations must comply with Canadian spectrum allocation and utilization policies. Applicants should consult the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations and associated spectrum policy decisions for information on the allocations and utilization policies. In exceptional cases, ISED may consider on a case-by-case basis the use of other frequency bands not allocated for the service requested by the applicant.

Use of approved satellite: All earth stations must communicate with a satellite that has been approved for use in Canada. A list of satellites that have been approved for use in Canada is available on ISED’s Authorized and Approved Canadian Satellites and List of foreign satellites approved for use in Canada web pages. For information on satellites not appearing on the list, please contact the Manager, Satellite Authorization Policy, by email at satelliteauthorization-autorisationsatellite@ised-isde.gc.ca, or the closest ISED district office.

Technical acceptability: Earth station radio apparatus must comply with the applicable Canadian technical requirements. For fixed earth stations and ESIMs, this includes meeting the requirements specified in Standard Radio System Plan SRSP-101, Technical Requirements for Fixed Earth Stations Operating Above 1 GHz in Space Radiocommunication Services and Earth Stations On board Vessels (ESVs) Operating in the Fixed-Satellite Service and SRSP-102, Band-Specific Technical Requirements for Earth Stations in the Fixed-Satellite Service as applicable. MSS subscriber earth station equipment must be certified under Radio Standards Specification RSS-170, Mobile Earth Stations and Ancillary Terrestrial Component Equipment Operating in the Mobile-Satellite Service Bands. For SMCS, subscriber earth stations must comply with relevant terrestrial SRSPs based on the frequency band of operation and be certified under all applicable RSSs.

Applicants must also comply with the procedures outlined in CPC-2-0-03, Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems. Among other requirements, the applicant must attest that all sites will comply with the following:

• Safety Code 6: Radio stations are installed and operated in a manner that complies with the limits of human exposure to radio frequency fields established by Health Canada in its Safety Code 6, Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz.
• Land-use and public consultation: Prior to installation or modification of antenna structures, any required consultation has taken place. Applicants should have completed their public consultation and have their land-use approvals before deploying any earth stations.
• Environmental assessment: The installation and modification of radio stations are done in a manner that complies with the Impact Assessment Act.
• Aeronautical safety: Applicants must ensure that their proposals for any antenna installation comply with Transport Canada and NAV CANADA requirements.

For applications for generic spectrum licences for ESIMs and for fixed earth stations intended for self-installation by end users, an attestation is not sufficient for SRSP-101 and SRSP-102 compliance. Applicants must also submit technical information demonstrating compliance with SRSP-101 and SRSP-102. Additional technical information may also be requested at the discretion of ISED.

6.2 Issuance of licence

When ISED finds an application to be acceptable, the spectrum licence(s) will be issued immediately, and will be made public in ISED’s Spectrum Management System. The licence(s) will include the frequency range, the type of service(s), and the satellite(s) with which a generic earth station(s) can communicate.

Spectrum licences are issued for a Canada-wide service area, including Canadian air space and territorial waters where the Radiocommunication Act is in effect, and are subject to the conditions of licence indicated in section 7. Within the Canada-wide service area, spectrum licences for SMCS will be limited in scope to those service areas and frequency bands where the licensee holds associated flexible use licences.

Fees apply immediately upon authorization. The applicant will receive a system generated email informing them that the licence has been authorized and will also receive an invoice.

This section contains additional licensing information regarding licence terms, temporary licences, developmental licences, and conditions of licence.

7.1 Licence terms

With the exemption of temporary, developmental and SMCS licences, all earth station spectrum licences expire annually on March 31 and are renewable for 12-month periods.

7.2 Temporary licences

Temporary spectrum licences can be issued to applicants operating earth stations for durations up to 11 consecutive months. These licences are non-renewable.

7.3 Developmental licences

Developmental licences can be issued to applicants in order to help them obtain time-limited access to spectrum for research and development, experimentation, or technology demonstration purposes only. Such licences must have neither pecuniary interest nor generate revenue and are issued on a no-interference, no-protection basis.

7.4 SMCS licences

SMCS licences also expire on March 31 of each year and are renewable for 12-month periods until the end of earliest term of the associated flexible use spectrum licence(s) or until the SMCS Agreement with the associated satellite operator is terminated, whichever is earlier.

7.5 Conditions of licence

ISED will apply the general conditions of licence that are listed in N3 — Generic Earth Stations. Additional conditions of licence specific to frequencies or circumstances may also be added on a case-by-case basis.

For SMCS, ISED will apply the conditions of licence that are listed in S3 — Conditions of licence for generic earth stations for the provision of SMCS.

Failure to comply with conditions of licence may result in the revocation of the licence.

This section describes various post-authorization procedures, including site data upload, reporting requirements, amendments to licences, cancellations of licences, transfers of licences, and revocation of licences.

8.1 Site data upload

In some cases, licensees are required to upload site information through the Spectrum Management System (SMS) in order to facilitate coexistence in shared bands or with services in adjacent bands. Site upload requirements are described in annex D.

8.2 Amendment to an existing spectrum licence

Any changes to an existing spectrum licence requires approval by ISED prior to implementation. Licensees are therefore required to apply for an amendment to their existing spectrum licence through the SMS system.

Once the amendment is authorized, licensees must ensure that the operation of all associated earth stations fall within the scope of the amended licence.

8.3 Cancellation of spectrum licence

A cancellation of a spectrum licence can be requested by the licensee. The applicant must ensure all of the earth stations authorized under the existing spectrum licence have been decommissioned by the cancellation date.

8.4 Transfer of licences

Licences may not be transferred or assigned without the authorization of the Minister as per condition 2 of N3 — Generic Earth Stations. Requests will be reviewed by ISED to ensure, among other things, that licensing requirements will be met by the new licensee, that the operating and technical parameters of the earth station(s) will remain unchanged, and that there will be no change in services to customers.

SMCS licences are non-transferrable, non-divisible and cannot be subordinated.

8.5 Revocation of licences

ISED will notify the licensee when it intends to suspend or revoke a licence, and will provide reasons for this decision. The licensee will have 30 calendar days from the date of the notification to provide a written response to the notice. ISED will evaluate the response and determine whether to proceed with the revocation process. If the licensee does not reply within the given period, the licence will be suspended or revoked immediately.

A licence may be suspended or revoked where the licensee fails to meet any condition of licence, where it breaches the Radiocommunication Act or Radiocommunication Regulations, or where ISED changes a frequency allocation or spectrum use policy following a public consultation. In the case of a change in allocation or permitted spectrum use, licensees are normally provided a transition period before forfeiting their licences.

All fees are subject to the requirements of the Service Fees Act, including the implementation of a periodic fee adjustment. The fee for earth station spectrum licences is based on the amount of spectrum assigned in specific frequency bands, as set out in Notice No. SMSE-002-23, Fee Order for Earth Stations.

All applications for satellite-related services are subject to service standards and subject to remissions as per ISED’s Service Fees Remission Policy and the Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector (STS) Program Annex.

In accordance with the Service Fees Act and related policy directives, the service standard for processing new generic earth station spectrum licences is 126 calendar days. The same standard applies for any amendment to an existing generic earth station spectrum licence.

It is expected that most applications will be treated within the service standard. In those cases where the service standard will not be met, applicants will be notified of an appropriate time frame for consideration of their application.

 

Access to Information Act

 

Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations

CPC-2-0-03

Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems

CPC-2-1-30

Technical Information Associated with Radiocommunication Installations

CPC-2-6-01

Procedure for the Submission of Applications to License Site-Approved Earth Stations in Canada

CPC-2-6-02

Procedure for the Submission of Applications for Spectrum Licences for Space Stations

CPC-2-6-04

Procedure for the Submission of Applications to Approve the Use of Foreign Satellites in Canada

 

Department of Industry Act

 

Impact Assessment Act

 

Radiocommunication Act

 

Radiocommunication Regulations

RIC 66

Addresses and Telephone Numbers of Regional and District Offices

RP-007

Policy Framework for the Provision of Mobile Satellite Service Via Regional and Global Satellite Systems in the Canadian Market

RP-008

Policy Framework for Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS) and Broadcasting-Satellite Service (BSS)

RSS-170

Mobile Earth Stations (MESs) and Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) Equipment Operating in the Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS) Bands

Safety Code 6

Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz (Health Canada)

 

Service Fees Act

 

Service Fees Remission Policy

SLPB-002-21

Decision on the Technical and Policy Framework for the 3650-4200 MHz Band and Changes to the Frequency Allocation of the 3500-3650 MHz Band

SMSE-001-25

Decision on a Policy, Licensing and Technical Framework for Supplemental Mobile Coverage by Satellite

SMSE-002-23

Fee Order for Earth Stations

SMSE-008-22

Decision on Updates to the Licensing and Fee Framework for Earth Stations and Space Stations in Canada

 

Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector (STS) Program Annex

SRSP-101

Technical Requirements for Fixed Earth Stations Operating Above 1 GHz in Space Radiocommunication Services and Earth Stations on board Vessels (ESVs) Operating in the Fixed-Satellite Service

SRSP-102

Band-Specific Technical Requirements for Earth Stations in the Fixed-Satellite Service

 

Telecommunications Act

Acronyms

• CPC: Client Procedures Circular
• RIC: Radiocommunications Information Circular
• RP: Radio Systems Policy
• SLPB: Canada Gazette Notice
• SMSE: Canada Gazette Notice
• SRSP: Standard Radio System Plan

Generic earth station spectrum licences can be issued for the types of earth stations in the following frequency bands:

Generic earth station spectrum licences can be issued for SMCS in the following frequency bands:

Band / Direction

• 617-652 MHz / space-to-Earth
• 663-698 MHz / Earth-to-space
• 698-716 MHz / Earth-to-space
• 716-728 MHz / space-to-Earth
• 728-746 MHz / space-to-Earth
• 746-756 MHz / space-to-Earth
• 777-787 MHz / Earth-to-space
• 824-849 MHz / Earth-to-space
• 869-894 MHz / space-to-Earth
• 1710-1780 MHz / Earth-to-space
• 1850-1915 MHz / Earth-to-space
• 1930-1995 MHz / space-to-Earth
• 2110-2180 MHz / space-to-Earth

This annex contains a list of the information required as part of an application for generic earth station spectrum licences.

General information and system description

• account number
• full name of the applicant
• full address of the applicant
• name of the primary contact person
• telephone number of the contact person, including the area code, and, if applicable, the extension number and the country code
• email address of the contact person
• attach a copy of the certificate of incorporation of the company applying for the licence
• indicate whether this is an application for a temporary or developmental licence
• a detailed description of the proposed service to be provided
• a description of the nature of the relationship between the applicant and the users of the mobile radio equipment
• indicate the anticipated date of bringing into use of the first earth station, or the effective date of planned modifications to an existing system of identical earth stations
• in the case of a temporary or developmental licence, the end date of operations
• number of earth stations to operate under the spectrum licence
• provide an attestation that the applicant is and will be compliant with the general requirements described in section 7 of CPC-2-0-03, Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems and section 5 of CPC-2-1-30, Technical Information Associated with Radiocommunication Installations, current issue and understand that certain responsibilities are ongoing
• for earth stations in motion (ESIMs) and for fixed earth stations intended for self-installation by consumers attach earth station technical details that demonstrate compliance with SRSP-101, Technical Requirements for Fixed Earth Stations Operating Above 1 GHz in Space Radiocommunication Services and Earth Stations on board Vessels (ESVs) Operating in the Fixed-Satellite Service
• for ESIMs, indicate which type(s) of ESIM service (aeronautical, maritime, land) the applicant plans to provide
• for earth stations operating in the MSS, provide the certification number as per RSS-170, Mobile Earth Stations and Ancillary Terrestrial Component Equipment Operating in the Mobile-Satellite Service Bands
• for MSS earth stations providing SMCS, provide the certification number as per the relevant RSS.
• provide any other information that will assist in processing the application

Satellite information

• name of authorized satellite or constellation(s) with which the earth station(s) can communicate
• a confirmation from the space station operator that an agreement is in place and that the applicant is authorized to communicate with the satellite

Equipment information

• equipment manufacturer and model of earth station terminals that will be deployed
• occupied bandwidth
• designation of emission
• for transmitting earth stations, the maximum transmit EIRP (dBW)

Frequency band information

• the direction of the communication between the earth stations and the associated satellite
• the lower end of the frequency range (MHz) that the earth stations will be using to communicate with the satellite
• the higher end of the frequency range (MHz) that the earth stations will be using to communicate with the satellite
• the type of service that the earth stations will be operating in

Additional information required for MSS subscriber earth stations

• a description of how the applicant will accommodate the circulation and operation of non-Canadian registered subscriber stations while located in Canada
• an attestation that the applicant and the proposed mobile-satellite service meet all the criteria noted in the RP-007, Policy Framework for the Provision of Mobile Satellite Services via Regional and Global Satellite Systems in the Canadian Market

Additional information required for SMCS

The provisions of the SMCS Agreement that cover the following elements must be submitted to ISED as part of the application:

• the associated flexible use spectrum licence numbers;
• the specific frequency blocks and areas (which must be part of the mobile service provider’s spectrum holdings) where SMCS will be offered;
• the non-exclusivity of the agreement;
• responsibilities with respect to interference management, coordination, and compliance with technical rules;
• measures required to facilitate compliance with the SMCS generic earth station spectrum licence conditions;
• any other aspects dealing with spectrum management; and,
• the signature page, and expiry date of the agreement

For fixed earth stations operating in the following bands under a generic earth station spectrum licence, operators must provide the additional information described below:

• 401-403 MHz
• 3700-4200 MHz

To assist other radiocommunication users in identifying earth stations that may contribute significantly to Safety Code 6 levels in areas near them, licensees are required to provide the technical information listed in this annex for fixed earth stations that exceed a transmit power of 45 dBW e.i.r.p. and that operate in the following frequency bands under a generic earth station spectrum licence:

• 13.75-14.5 GHz
• 28.35-29.1 GHz
• 29.25-30 GHz

Licensees should refer to CPC-2-1-30, Technical Information Associated with Radiocommunication Installations, for general requirements when submitting these information to ISED. Specifically for earth stations, these information include:

Licensee information

• licence number of the generic earth station spectrum licence authorising the fixed earth station
• name of the individual who is authorized to submit the station information and/or who can be contacted if there are any questions regarding the provided information
• telephone number of the individual identified above
• telephone extension number, if any, of the individual identified above
• email address of the individual identified above

Station information

• a description of the earth station’s location (e.g. street address, city, province)
• geographical latitude (north) of the earth station, in degrees, minutes, seconds and decimal seconds up to an accuracy of 1/10 second. Must be in WGS84 format
• geographic longitude (west) of the earth station, in degrees, minutes, seconds and decimal seconds up to an accuracy of 1/10 second. Must be in WGS84 format
• total height above ground level of the structure on which the antennas are mounted (metres)
  • for equipment mounted on a building or its boundaries, provide the height of the building and the supporting structure (Note that the minimum value is one metre because it is assumed that all antennas have an associated structure)
• the date on which the earth station first became operational or was last modified

Information relating to transmitting earth stations

• centre frequency (MHz) of the carrier transmitted by the earth station
  • should the earth station’s operating frequency frequently change but always within its associated satellite transponder’s authorized frequency range, enter the transponder’s centre frequency
• manufacturer make and model number of transmit radio equipment as provided by the manufacturer
• occupied bandwidth that contains 99% of the carrier power as transmitted by the earth station (kHz)
• international Telecommunication Union (ITU) class of emission of the carrier transmitted by the earth station
• transmitter output power (dBm)
• antenna model number of the transmit antenna as specified by the manufacturer
• manufacturer of the transmit antenna
• height (metres) of physical centre of the transmit antenna above ground level including the structure/building on which the antenna is mounted
• operating azimuth angle (degrees) of the transmit antenna clockwise from True North in the direction of the satellite
• operating elevation angle (degrees) of the transmit antenna from the horizontal plane in the direction of the GSO satellite
• gain of the transmit antenna, expressed relative to an isotropic radiator (dBi)
• total transmitter line losses if any (dB)

Information relating to receiving earth stations

• centre frequency (MHz) of the carrier transmitted by the earth station
  • should the earth station’s operating frequency frequently change but always within its associated satellite transponder’s authorized frequency range, enter the transponder’s centre frequency
• manufacturer make and model of receiving radio equipment as provided by the manufacturer
• occupied bandwidth that contains 99% of the carrier power as received by the earth station (kHz)
  • should the earth station’s operating frequency frequently change but always within its associated satellite transponder’s authorized frequency range, enter the transponder’s authorized frequency range
• international Telecommunication Union (ITU) class of emission of the carrier received by the earth station
• antenna model number of the receive antenna as specified by the manufacturer
• manufacturer of the receiver antenna
• height (metres) of physical centre of the receive antenna above ground level including the structure/building on which the antenna is mounted
• operating azimuth angle (degrees) of the receive antenna clockwise from True North in the direction of the satellite
• operating elevation angle (degrees) of the receive antenna from the horizontal plane in the direction of the GSO satellite
• gain of the receiver antenna, expressed relative to an isotropic radiator (dBi)
• total receiver line losses if any (dB)