How to apply for an earth station site approval

Information on how to apply for an earth station site approval in the Spectrum Management System (SMS), as well as what you need before starting.

On this page:

Before getting started

Register to use the SMS

If you have not done so already, register to use the SMS to manage your licences, approvals and applications. You must have registered before applying for a licence or approval.

Fees

Multiple site approvals can be granted under a single spectrum licence, with the fee being applied only to the spectrum licence, not to each individual site approval.

Service standards

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

To learn more, consult: Spectrum and Telecommunications Service Standards

Application process

The application process is similar for spectrum licences and approvals. Differences come in the required information and analysis needed during the application’s assessment.

Application process at a glance

This figure is a flowchart explaining the application process for spectrum licences at a glance.
Description of figure

This figure is a flowchart explaining the application process for spectrum licences at a glance.

  1. ISED receives the application.
  2. ISED preprocesses the application.
    1. If the application is complete and valid, ISED processes the application.
    2. If the application is not complete and valid, the application is sent back to the applicant with instructions for correction. The applicant resubmits the application to ISED.
  3. ISED determines if the application is approved or not.
    1. If the application is approved, the applicant will receive an invoice for the authorized licence. The applicant pays the invoice. The licence is granted and now available to be viewed or printed on the Spectrum Management System (SMS).
    2. If the application is not approved, the application is denied and the applicant is made aware of the reason(s) for the denial. The applicant may submit a new application once all reasons for the denial have been addressed.
 

Steps to apply

Site approval for a fixed earth station
  1. Go to ISED’s Satellite spectrum authorizations services page. Log in using your Web Profile when requested.
  2. Scroll and click Apply for an earth station site approval.
  3. Click the Apply for a new site approval for a fixed earth station button (or Copy button if applicable).
  4. The Spectrum Management System (SMS) will walk you through the process to enter the information for your new approval.
  1. Click Submit to validate that the information you entered meets system validation requirements. Sections with errors will be clearly identified in the Summary screen. Correct any errors if necessary and resubmit the request when ready.
  2. Your part is done. An ISED official will be assigned to your request to conduct its assessment.
  • Note: Incomplete information will result in the application being Returned to you and its assessment stopped until the missing information is provided.
  1. Once the approval has been authorized, its status is marked as Granted, which ends this process.
  2. You can view or print the approval using the View or print a licence option in the SMS.

Site approval for a transportable earth station
  1. Go to ISED’s Satellite spectrum authorizations services page. Log in using your Web Profile when requested.
  2. Scroll and click Apply for an earth station site approval.
  3. Click the Apply for a new site approval for a transportable earth station button (or Copy button if applicable).
  4. The Spectrum Management System (SMS) will walk you through the process to enter the information for your new approval.
  1. Click Submit to validate that the information you entered meets system validation requirements. Sections with errors will be clearly identified in the Summary screen. Correct any errors if necessary and resubmit the request when ready.
  2. Your part is done. An ISED official will be assigned to your request to conduct its assessment.
  • Note: Incomplete information will result in the application being Returned to you and its assessment stopped until the missing information is provided.
  1. Once the approval has been authorized, its status is marked as Granted, which ends this process.
  2. You can view or print the approval using the View or print a licence option in the SMS.

If you are not sure what to apply for, see: Satellite spectrum licensing

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