Non-competitive local licensing (NCLL)

Yes, the 3900 MHz band is a 5G band.

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has identified a 5G frequency band that covers the 3900-3980 MHz (i.e., n77), resulting in access to an equipment ecosystems that could support different types of networks or use cases. Following this, in May 2021, ISED published the 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. In this policy framework, ISED designated the 3900-3980 MHz band for shared usage to leverage the emerging equipment ecosystems for 5G technology and provide opportunities for users including wireless Internet service providers (WISPs), utilities, and industry verticals.

Note that licensees can deploy 5G or other wireless technologies as long as ISED's technical standards are met (i.e., SRSP-521 — Technical Requirements for Non-Competitive Local Licensed Services, including Fixed and/or Mobile Systems, and Flexible Use Broadband Systems, in the Band 3900-3980 MHz, RSS-198 — Flexible Use Broadband Equipment Operating in the Band 3900-3980 MHz).

Yes, the 28 GHz band is a 5G band.

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has identified a 5G frequency band that covers the 28 GHz band (i.e. n257 for 26.5-29.5 GHz and n261 for 27.5-28.35 GHz), resulting in access to an equipment ecosystem that could support different types of networks or use cases.

Following this, in March 2025, ISED published the Addendum to the Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework to include Spectrum in the 27.5-28.35 GHz Band. In this policy, ISED made available the 27.5-28.35 GHz band for shared operations to support the expected global equipment ecosystem for 5G devices for the envisioned uses of advanced technologies in the mmWave band.

Note that licensees can deploy 5G or other wireless technologies in the 27.5-28.35 GHz band as long as ISED's technical standards are met (i.e. SRSP-522 — Technical Requirements for Non-Competitive Local Licensed Systems, including Fixed and/or Mobile Systems, and Flexible Use Broadband Systems, in the Band 27.5-28.35 GHz and RSS-193 — Flexible Use Broadband Equipment Operating in the Band 27.5-28.35 GHz).

Yes, there is a list of current licensees.

This information can be found at Spectrum Management System. You can also find out about other licensees in your area using the NCLL spectrum browser.

Specific procedures for the sharing of the 3900–3980 MHz band between Canadian and United States (US) licensees are under negotiation between ISED and the Federal Communications Commission. Until the international agreements are finalized, NCLL licensees planning to establish or modify a fixed or base station along the Canada-US border shall be required to meet the requirements outlined in section 10 of SRSP-521 — Technical Requirements for Non-Competitive Local Licensed Services, including Fixed and/or Mobile Systems, and Flexible Use Broadband Systems, in the Band 3900-3980 MHz.

Specific procedures for the sharing of the 27.5-28.35 GHz band between Canadian and United States (US) licensees are under negotiation between ISED and the Federal Communications Commission. Until the international agreements are finalized, NCLL licensees planning to establish or modify a fixed or base station along the Canada-US border shall be required to meet the requirements outlined in section 10 of SRSP-522 — Technical Requirements for Non-Competitive Local Licensed Systems, including Fixed and/or Mobile Systems, and Flexible Use Broadband Systems, in the Band 27.5-28.35 GHz.

To determine if a service area is in a metro, urban, rural, or remote Tier 5 area, see service areas for competitive licensing. The category breakdown can be viewed by selecting a geographical point on the map or by scrolling through the table.

There are no concerns if your area crosses into another tier area.

Our service commitment is to provide your NCL licence within 12 weeks.

This commitment is contingent on the availability of the requested spectrum and the completeness of your application, with no errors.

The maximum area size per licence is as follows:

• low-power: up to 15 km²
• medium-power: minimum 75 km², up to 165 km²

There is no limit on the number of licences a licensee may hold. For example, to cover an area of 45 km², an applicant could apply for three low-power licences with each licence covering 15 km² and must deploy at least one low-power base station in each licence area. As a second example, to cover an area of 200 km², an applicant could apply for multiple low-power licences or multiple medium-power licences or a combination of low-power and medium-power licences, depending on the use case and power requirements.

The maximum area size per licence is as follows:

• low-power: up to 1 km²
• high-power: minimum 5 km², up to 50 km²

There is no limit on the number of licences a licensee may hold. For example, to cover an area of 4 km², an applicant could apply for four low-power licences with each licence covering 1 km² and must deploy at least one low-power base station in each licence area. As a second example, to cover an area of 100 km², an applicant could apply for multiple low-power licences or multiple high-power licences or a combination of low-power and high-power licences, depending on the use case and power requirements.

If you wish to cover an area larger than the maximum licence area size, you can apply for multiple licences that are geographically adjacent. To do so, perform the following steps in the NCLL portal:

1. Duplicate the application/licence that you wish to create an adjacent area licence for by clicking "Duplicate" under "Actions" in the portal.
2. Edit the licence area of the newly created duplicate application. You can edit the licence area either by modifying the boundary points listed, or by re-drawing the area using the drawing tool.

In the 3900 MHz band, ISED has established a spectrum limit of 20 MHz that a licensee may hold in any given geographic area. However, for specific use cases and where interference risks are low, ISED permits eligible licensees to hold additional spectrum beyond 20 MHz:

• Up to 80 MHz per licence area may be authorized for eligible specific industrial use cases. Applications for up to 80 MHz are currently being accepted here.
• Up to 40 MHz per licence area may be authorized in rural and remote Tier 5 service areas, where there are no interference risks. This option is anticipated to be available in early 2027, once ISED's licensing system has been updated.

All applications must meet the criteria set out in SAB-03-25 — Notice of amendment to spectrum limit condition of licence in the 3900 MHz band under the non-competitive local (NCL) licensing framework.

In the 28 GHz band, ISED has established a spectrum limit of 400 MHz that a licensee may hold in any given geographic area.

The maximum power and antenna height is determined based on licence type and specific bands of operation. Details on this can be found on our landing page (About NCLL) section. For more details about the 3900–3980 MHz band, see SRSP-521 — Technical Requirements for Non-Competitive Local Licensed Services, including Fixed and/or Mobile Systems, and Flexible Use Broadband Systems, in the Band 3900-3980 MHz. For the 27.5-28.35 GHz band, see SRSP-522 — Technical Requirements for Non-Competitive Local Licensed Systems, including Fixed and/or Mobile Systems, and Flexible Use Broadband Systems, in the Band 27.5-28.35 GHz.

An NCL licence application may be rejected if it does not conform to policy, technical or other requirements.

Some examples of reasons for an application being rejected include:

• the spectrum applied for is not available in the requested area
• the spectrum aggregation limit would be exceeded

In the 3900 MHz band, the spectrum aggregation limit is exceeded when a licensee has multiple overlapping licences that result in more than 20 MHz of total bandwidth at any given location, except in cases where ISED has expressly permitted up to 40 MHz or 80 MHz pursuant to SAB-03-25. For instance, if the applicant was only permitted for 20 MHz of total bandwidth and already holds licences for blocks A3 and A4 in a particular area and applies for block A6 in an area that fully or partially overlaps the existing licence area, the application would be rejected.

This is equally applicable in the 28 GHz band: the spectrum aggregation limit is exceeded when a licensee has multiple overlapping licences that result in more than 400 MHz of total bandwidth at any given location. For instance, if the applicant already holds licences for blocks AA1 to AA8 in a particular area and applies for block AA10 in an area that fully or partially overlaps the existing licence area, the application would be rejected.

It's important to note that if the same frequency block is shared between the overlapping licences, it is only counted once when calculating total spectrum usage. Therefore, if both the existing and proposed licences cover the same blocks, the spectrum aggregation limit would not be exceeded.

If an application is rejected, a detailed report will be sent to you via email. You can also download this report by clicking "Download summary report" under "Actions" in the portal.

No, it is not possible to edit a submitted application. However, you can withdraw an application even after you've received an invoice. In the NCLL services page, navigate to the NCLL portal, then find the application, and under the "Actions" menu select "Withdraw".

No, it is not possible to edit a licence. If you wish to acquire a licence that covers the same area as another licence that you already hold, but with a different technical configuration, then you have two options available to you:

1. Apply for an overlapping licence while retaining your original licence.
2. Cancel your original licence by clicking "Cancel licence" under "Actions" in the portal, and apply for a new licence in the same area.

Yes, licences will be automatically renewed if all conditions of licence are met and the renewal invoice is paid in full. The system will send an email to the licensee if it detects an issue that may impact the renewal.

A licence fee calculator is available to allow you to predict the licence fee for a given scenario.

The annual licence fee for a non-competitive local licence is calculated by multiplying the base rate for the area type selected (metro and urban; rural or remote) multiplied by the total frequency blocks in MHz, multiplied by the area size in km².

If any portion of an NCL licence falls within a remote area, the fees are calculated using the remote base rate. Otherwise, if any portion of an NCL licence is located in a metro or urban area, then fees are calculated using the metro/urban base rate.

The table below shows which area type is used to determine the applicable base rate in case of overlap. Commonly referred to as the "Fee zone".

Payments must be made on the Online Payment and View Invoices webpage.

There are several ways you can reach that page:

1. You can visit Online Payment and View Invoices.
2. On the NCLL portal, you can select the application or licence you wish to pay for and click the "Pay" button in the portal under "Actions".
3. When you have an invoice due, you will receive an email that contains payment instructions. That email will contain a link to Online Payment and View Invoices.

For a new application, you can cancel the invoice by withdrawing the application. In the NCLL services page, navigate to the NCLL portal, find the application, and under the "Actions" menu select "Withdraw". The application withdrawal will automatically cancel the invoice.

To cancel an invoice for a renewable licence, see Paying your renewal invoice.

There are two important deadlines you should keep in mind as a licensee. They are as follows:

• You have to upload licence site data every 30 days.
• You have to deploy at least one station within 2 years of your licence's effective date.

You also have to pay your annual licence fees.

ISED is adopting a simple demonstration of deployment (a "yes/no" system) to meet the condition of licence on deployment. Details on how to upload information will be found on the SMS site data upload website. Alternatively, you will also be able to find information in this video.

Yes. ISED offers a radio equipment search function to determine availability of equipment. For 3900 MHz, select advanced search, then in the Radio Equipment Standard (BETS99-RSS999) box select RSS198, then hit search. For 28 GHz, select RSS193.

For the 3900–3980 MHz band, you can use existing equipment so long as it complies with RSS-198 — Flexible Use Broadband Equipment Operating in the Band 3900-3980 MHz, and is certified accordingly.

For the 27.5-28.35 GHz band, you can use existing equipment so long as it complies with RSS-193 — Flexible Use Broadband Equipment Operating in the Band 27.5-28.35 GHz, and is certified accordingly.

To determine if your equipment is already certified, check the Radio Equipment Search.

If your equipment is not already certified, you would need to complete the steps detailed in RSP-100, Certification of Radio Apparatus and Broadcasting Equipment.

You will see various application and licence statuses in the portal. The table below explains what each status means.

Statuses that apply to submitted applications:

Statuses that apply to licences:

The portal presents 4 information summary cards, titled "Applications", "Licences", "Payment due", and "Compliance".

Each of these cards displays a set of metrics. The below table provides a detailed explanation of each displayed metric.

You will see a compliance status listed for licences in the portal. There are three possible compliance statuses, detailed in the table below.