As its name implies, Innovation, Science, and Economic (ISED) Canada is committed to support innovation. To foster wireless research and development, ISED provides developmental licences that allow applicants to test new ideas, products, or business concepts. See below for more information.
On this page:
Overview of the developmental service
Developmental licences are available to innovators testing the next wave of wireless technologies and services. This unique type of licence is designed to facilitate temporary access to wireless spectrum for the purpose of testing and validating solutions that help strengthen Canada's leadership across various sectors.
Examples:
- healthcare
- transportation
- smart cities
- manufacturing
- agriculture
- public safety
These licences also enable exploration in areas of fundamental research.
Note: These licences must not be used for commercial trials that involve financial cost recovery from users. They are time limited, and are issued on a no-interference, no-protection basis.
Developmental radio licences
Developmental service radio licences are issued for conducting trials of terrestrial mobile and fixed radio systems that use new technologies or services, narrowband technologies, high-power towers/antennas, lower band spectrum or systems that typically involve a lower total number of higher power devices.
Examples:
- radio stations
- narrowband wireless communication systems
- broadband mobile antennas
- fixed broadband systems
For more information, consult Developmental Licence Playbook and How to apply for a radio licence.
Developmental terrestrial spectrum licences
Developmental service spectrum licences are issued, for example, to conduct trials involving a small cell of high density devices (such as sensors), to utilize broadband spectrum, with low power over a large area, and to conduct capacity trials using multiple devices.
Examples:
- Internet of Things
- autonomous cars
- smart cities
- dynamic spectrum access
- haptic technologies
- augmented reality devices
For more information, consult: Developmental Licence Playbook and How to apply for a developmental spectrum licence.
Developmental satellite spectrum licences
Developmental service licences are issued to test satellite technology systems with fixed and mobile earth stations.
Examples:
- the testing of new earth station antennas to support mobile applications and next generation satellite systems
- the testing of satellite de-orbiting technologies
- some university projects
For more information, consult our How to apply for a developmental spectrum licence page.
Ready to get started?
Use the applicable link to apply for a licence: