Decision on Request Received from Telesat Spectrum General Partnership for Continued Operation of Anik G1 at 107.3°W in Extended Ku-band Frequencies (11.075-11.2 GHz and 11.575-11.7 GHz)

SMSE-004-26
April 2026

1. Intent

1. Through the release of this document, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada ("ISED"), on behalf of the Minister of Industry ("the Minister"), announces decisions ("the Decision") resulting from the consultation process undertaken in Notice of Request Received from Telesat Spectrum General Partnership for continued operation of Anik G1 at 107.3°W on extended Ku-band frequencies (11.075-11.2 GHz and 11.575-11.7 GHz) ("the Notice").

2. Comments were received from Rogers Communications Inc. ("Rogers").

2. Legislative mandate

3. The Minister is responsible for spectrum management in Canada, under the Department of Industry Act, the Radiocommunication Act and the Radiocommunication Regulations, with due regard to the objectives of the Telecommunications Act. This includes developing national policies and goals for spectrum utilization and ensuring the effective management and use of the radio frequency spectrum resource.

3. Policy objectives

4. ISED is guided by the policy objectives of the Telecommunications Act, and the Spectrum Policy Framework for Canada ("SPFC"), which has the objective of maximizing the economic and social benefits that Canadians derive from the use of the radio frequency spectrum. The enabling guidelines of the SPFC state that spectrum management practices, including licensing methods, should respond to changing technology and marketplace demands. In addition, these guidelines state that spectrum policy and management should support the efficient functioning of markets by permitting the flexible use of spectrum to the extent possible, by making spectrum available for use in a timely fashion and by ensuring that appropriate interference protection measures are in place.

4. Background and context

5. The use of the extended Ku-band frequencies was subject to a 2010 policy decision in Canada Gazette notice DGTP-013-09 ("2010 Decision") published on January 9, 2010, which limited the use of Direct-to-Home ("DTH") services until January 1, 2028. This policy is reflected in Canadian footnote C16H of the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations.

6. The 2010 Decision was accompanied by a moratorium on the licensing of new point-to-point links in the 11.075-11.2 GHz and 11.575-11.7 GHz bands until January 1, 2026. With the publication of the December 2025 Notice, ISED extended that moratorium until the publication of this Decision.

7. Telesat Spectrum General Partnership ("Telesat") is currently providing Shaw Direct DTH services using extended Ku-band frequencies (11.075-11.2 GHz and 11.575-11.7 GHz) from the 107.3°W orbital position with its Anik G1 satellite for Rogers.

5. Amendment to the condition of licence regarding the provision of DTH services

8. ISED sought comments on Telesat's request to amend the condition of licence ("CoL") that limits its use of 11.075-11.2 GHz and 11.575-11.7 GHz frequency bands for the provision of DTH services to December 31, 2027, to allow the satellite to operate in those bands until November 2039.

Summary of comments

9. Rogers was the only respondent and was in support of Telesat's continued use of the extended Ku-bands on their Anik G1 satellite at 107.3°W until November 2039.

10. Rogers also argued that fixed and satellite services are able to coexist in the extended Ku-bands and that ISED should therefore lift the moratorium on the licensing of new point-to-point links in the 11.075-11.2 GHz and 11.575-11.7 GHz bands.

Discussion

11. ISED is of the view that permitting Telesat to continue providing Shaw Direct DTH services is in the best interest of Canadians, particularly those living in rural and remote areas where there are limited options for the reception of television programming.

12. ISED notes that some fixed services have been operating in the bands since the 2010 Decision was published without any reports of harmful interference into the fixed satellite service/DTH services.

13. In light of the above, ISED will allow Telesat to remain in operation in the bands for the provision of DTH services until December 1, 2039, and will amend the CoL accordingly.

14. ISED will amend Canadian footnote C16H to reflect this decision, as per the text in the decision box below. ISED will also lift the moratorium on licensing in the fixed service, but will continue to make every effort to place new terrestrial links in other portions of the band first.

Decision

D1 ISED will amend Telesat's condition of licence to authorize continued operation of the Anik G1 satellite at 107.3°W using the extended Ku-band frequencies 11.075-11.2 GHz and 11.575-11.7 GHz to provide DTH services until November 30, 2039.

D2 ISED is amending Canadian footnote C16H of the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations to read as follows: "The frequency bands 11.075-11.2 GHz and 11.575-11.7 GHz are available to provide Direct-to-Home satellite broadcasting services in Canada until December 1, 2039."

D3 ISED is lifting the moratorium on the licensing of new point-to-point links in the 11.075-11.2 GHz and 11.575-11.7 GHz while continuing to make every effort to place new terrestrial links in other portions of the band first.

6. Obtaining copies

15. All ISED publications related to spectrum management and telecommunications are available on the Spectrum management and telecommunications website.

16. For further information on the process outlined in this document or related matters, please contact:

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