In Canada, all radio apparatus require a radio authorization issued under the Radiocommunication Act unless exempted. Refer to section 4(1) of the Radiocommunication Act and section 15 of the Radiocommunication Regulations.
On this page:
- Exemptions from a radio licence
- Exemptions from a broadcasting certificate
- Licence-exempt radio apparatus
Exemptions from a radio licence
The Radiocommunication Regulations provide for the exemption of “radio apparatus on board an aircraft” and “radio apparatus on board a ship or vessel” from the requirement to hold a radio licence provided they meet specific criteria.
For aircraft radio stations: This means you do not require a licence for the aeronautical radio equipment on board an aircraft if you meet both of the following criteria:
- the aircraft is operated only in the sovereign airspace of Canada
- the radio equipment on board the aircraft is only capable of operating on frequencies that are allocated for aeronautical mobile communications or aeronautical radio navigation
- verify whether the frequencies you use are in the aeronautical mobile band by referring to RBR-1 — Technical Requirements for the Operation of Mobile Stations in the Aeronautical Service
Other criteria could result in the exemption applying; refer to section 15.1 of the Radiocommunication Regulations for the full text of the exemption. If you do not meet the criteria of the exemption, you will require a radio licence.
Consult our FAQ for additional information on this exemption.
For ship radio stations: This means you do not require a licence for the marine radio equipment on board a vessel if you meet both of the following criteria:
- the vessel is operated only in the sovereign waters of Canada
- the radio equipment on board the vessel is only capable of operating on frequencies that are allocated for maritime mobile communications or marine radio navigation
- verify whether the frequencies you use are in the maritime mobile band by referring to RBR-2 — Technical Requirements for the Operation of Mobile Stations in the Maritime Service
Other criteria could result in the exemption applying; refer to section 15.2 of the Radiocommunication Regulations for the full text of the exemptions. If you do not meet the criteria of the exemption, you will require a radio licence.
Consult our FAQ for additional information on this exemption.
Note that you do, however, need a radio operator certificate to operate a radio onboard a marine vessel and an aircraft.
Learn more at: Radio operator certificates
Exemptions from a broadcasting certificate
Some approved broadcasting transmitters are exempt from an Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) broadcasting certificate if they meet the requirements covered under one of the following:
- BETS-1 — Technical Standards and Requirements for Low Power Announce Transmitters in the Frequency Bands 525-1,705 kHz and 88-107.5 MHz
- RSS-210 — Licence-Exempt Radio Apparatus: Category I Equipment
For more information, see: Broadcasting Certifications
Licence-exempt radio apparatus
You may not be aware but you may already have exempted radio apparatus in your home. Your Wi-Fi router, Bluetooth devices, baby monitor, electronic key fob, Family Radio Service handheld radios, etc. These are just some of the many devices that operate on frequencies that may be certified for use in Canada under licence-exempt standards.
Multiple standards let users operate radio apparatus on frequency spectrum without a licence. In Canada, commercial mobile service providers may use equipment compliant with licence-exempt radio apparatus standards as a means to support and advance their networks. Think of publicly available Wi-Fi hotspots. The Internet of Things (IoT) industry is another major user of licence-exempt radio apparatus.
The following are two examples of spectrum or bands that are used by licence-exempt radio apparatus.
- TV white space bands (TVWS): TVWS technology, operating in low-band spectrum, is currently being used to provide broadband connections to underserved communities with small to medium population densities. TVWS technology can also be used for private networks.
- 6 GHz frequency band: In addition to licensed use, this band is also available for licence-exempt use for standard power, low-power indoor and very-low-power RLAN (radio local area network) devices, each operating under different technical conditions. This band can be used to support broadband Internet access for a large number of users in both residential and commercial contexts, including in rural and remote areas, as well as for private networks.
Consult our Licence-exempt Radio Apparatus Standards List for more information.
See also our latest Spectrum Outlook for discussions on licence-exempt spectrum.