A broadcasting certificate authorizes its holder to operate a broadcasting undertaking at a specified location, frequency, power level and other technical specifications.
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What is broadcasting?
Broadcasting is defined in the Radiocommunication Act as “any radiocommunication in which the transmissions are intended for direct reception by the general public.” You may know broadcasting from more common terms such as AM radio, FM radio, and television.
Broadcasting in Canada is regulated by two government organizations:
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
- the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
As the radio frequency spectrum manager, ISED determines if a proposed transmission is compatible with other broadcasting transmissions and non-broadcasting transmissions to avoid radio interference.
The CRTC regulates other aspects, such as the programming content and ownership issues of the proposed undertaking.
Before you can operate a broadcasting transmitter, you must apply for and be granted a broadcasting certificate from ISED and a broadcasting licence from the CRTC.
Why do you need a broadcasting certificate?
The broadcasting certificate ensures that all the technical criteria and other requirements are adhered to as per established procedures and rules. Therefore, any individual or organization that intends to use radio apparatus, for any broadcasting purposes within Canada, must be authorized by an ISED broadcasting certificate unless they are otherwise exempt.
The CRTC process requires confirmation that an ISED broadcasting certificate will be issued as well as many other elements (such as ownership, financials, programming and market studies) before a decision can be issued.
Broadcasting certificates
A broadcasting certificate certifies that the technical parameters of the broadcasting undertaking (such as frequency, coordinates, power, and antenna parameters) meet the technical requirements under ISED’s Broadcasting Procedures and Rules (BPR).
A CRTC broadcasting licence is only valid with an ISED broadcasting certificate, and permits a broadcaster to operate, subject to conditions on programming, financial contributions and other criteria normally indicated in a CRTC decision.
In addition, if you are using an analog transmitter, it needs to be typed-approved for Canada or listed on ISED’s Radio Equipment List. If you are using a digital transmitter, you need to certify that the transmitter meets an emission mask specification as per the applicable BPR.
Even with a CRTC licence exemption, you still require an ISED broadcasting certificate to use transmitters because:
- there is still a potential risk of interference with aeronautical bands and/or other broadcasting services
- the radio frequency energy emitting from the antenna needs to be safe for the general public
Some examples of CRTC exemptions are listed below. Please note that the list is not exhaustive and you should visit the CRTC website for up-to-date information.
- low-power tourist information radio
- low-power radio programming for houses of worship
- certain Indigenous radio undertakings
- low-power special event of limited duration (maximum of 28 consecutive days in a calendar year)
- ultra-low-power announcement services (these can also be exempted from ISED certification if using BETS-1 equipment; see BETS-1 — Technical Standards and Requirements for Low Power Announce Transmitters in the Frequency Bands 525-1,705 kHz and 88-107.5 MHz)
Note: In situations not considered broadcasting but using one of the broadcast bands (for example, for transmission enclosed within a private area and not intended to the general public, such as a paid drive-in theater), these are subject to radio licensing as described in the following documents:
- RSS-123 — Licensed Wireless Microphones
- CPC-2-1-11 — Licensing Procedure for Licensed Wireless Microphones
For information on applying for a radio licence, the land mobile service for frequencies used for this purpose and the fees involved, contact your local Spectrum Management District Office.