May 1990
Table of Contents
- Intent
- Introduction
- Announcement of Policy as a Result of the Review of Spectrum Allocation in Certain Bands in the Range 30.01-896 MHz
- Supplementary Information
- Implementation
1. Intent
The purpose of this document is to specify the spectrum policy for the use of certain bands of frequency spectrum in the range 30.01-896 MHz. The frequency bands which have been included in this document are detailed in Annex 1.
2. Introduction
In 1987, the Department issued a discussion document dealing with a comprehensive review of the spectrum in the range 30.01-890 (896) MHz. The document highlighted several "theme" areas on which the Department requested comment in addition to reviewing the use of the bands in this frequency range. Subsequently, in October 1988, the Department issued a document proposing the retention or modification to the allocation and spectrum utilization of specific bands contained within the overall range 30.01-890 (896) MHz. This document entitled A Proposals Paper on Spectrum Allocations in Certain Bands in the Range 30.01-890 MHz — Part I1, dealt primarily with bands for which, because of their standardized international use, minimal or no changes were proposed. In addition, the document dealt with currently unused frequency bands which require urgent policy attention to meet new or expanding applications. A Part II of this 30.01-896 MHz spectrum review dealing with the remaining frequency bands will be released for public comment in the near future.
3. Announcement of Policy as a Result of the Review of Spectrum Allocation in Certain Bands in the Range 30.01-896 MHz
The following policies are hereby notified:
a) 73–74.6 MHz - RADIOASTRONOMY
Domestic Allocation
The domestic allocation, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations2 for this band, is unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
Pending a decision about the continued operation of the Algonquin Park, Ontario radioastronomy observatory, the existing constraints within the "quiet" and "restricted zones" will remain in force. Low power applications of other radio services may be coordinated outside of these quiet areas. Assignments in proximity to the Penticton, British Columbia radioastronomy observatory will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
b) 74.6–74.8 MHz - FIXED
MOBILE
Domestic Allocations
The domestic allocations, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, are unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
Assignments will continue to be made in this band with due regard, and protection accorded, to the adjacent Aeronautical Radionavigation Service band.
c) 74.8–75.2 MHz - AERONAUTICAL RADIONAVIGATION
Domestic Allocation
The domestic allocation, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, is unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
Current assignment practices and criteria for allocations in this band will continue with due regard to the need to protect the Aeronautical Radionavigation Service from interference from adjacent bands.
d) 75.2–76 MHz - FIXED
MOBILE
Domestic Allocations
The domestic allocations, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, are unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
Assignments will continue to be made in this band with due regard, and protection accorded, to the adjacent Aeronautical Radionavigation Service band.
e) 88–108 MHz - BROADCASTING
Domestic Allocation
The domestic allocation, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, is unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
The use of this band for FM Broadcasting will remain unchanged.
f) 108–117.975 MHz - AERONAUTICAL RADIONAVIGATION
Domestic Allocation
The domestic allocation, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, is unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
The band will continue to be used for:
g) 117.975–137 MHz - AERONAUTICA MOBILE (R)
Domestic Allocation
The domestic allocation, as detailed in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, is unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
The band will continue to be used for Air Traffic Control Services (ATCS), General Aviation Communications (GAC) and Aeronautical Operational Control Communications (AOCC). Implementation of the band 136–137 MHz for aeronautical mobile services is currently under public review by Canada Gazette Notice SMRR-003-89, issued December 9, 1989.
| ATCS | GAC | AOCC |
|---|---|---|
| 117.975 – 121.9625 MHz 123.5875 – 128.8125 MHz 132.0125 – 136.0 MHz 136.0 – 137.0 MHz3 | 121.9625 – 123.5875 MHz | 128.8125 – 132.0125 MHz |
h) 137–138 MHz- SPACE OPERATION (space-to-Earth)
METEOROLOGICAL-SATELLITE (space-to-Earth)
SPACE RESEARCH (space-to-Earth)
Domestic Allocations
The domestic allocations, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, are unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
The band is available for the use of the allocated radio services.
i) 149.9–150.05 MHz- RADIONAVIGATION-SATELLITE
Domestic Allocations
The domestic allocations, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, are unchanged with regard to the service occupying it. However, the following Canadian Footnote is hereby added:
C19
The operation of low-power mobile or fixed communications equipment is permitted in the band but this equipment must not cause interference to the Radionavigation-Satellite Service.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
Systems introduced into this band under the provision of new Canadian Footnote C19 are subject to licensing and operational conditions to ensure the protection from interference of the Radionavigation-Satellite Service.
j) 156.7625–156.8375 MHz- MARITIME MOBILE (distress and calling)
Domestic Allocation
The domestic allocation, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, is unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
The use of this band will continue to be limited to maritime distress signals from, and calling by, stations in the Maritime Mobile Service. Canadian land stations authorized to use 156.8 MHz will continue to be those operated by the Canadian Coast Guard. In exceptional circumstances and on a case-by-case basis only, the use of the frequency 156.8 MHz by land stations other than those operated by the Government of Canada, will be considered by the Department of Communications.
k) 225–328.6 MHz - FIXED
MOBILE
Domestic Allocations
The domestic allocations, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, are unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
The use of this band for Government of Canada operations will continue.
l) 328.6–335.4 MHz - AERONAUTICAL RADIONAVIGATION
Domestic Allocation
The domestic allocation, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, is unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
This band will continue to be used for Airport Instrument Landing Systems.
m) 335.4–399.9 MHz - FIXED
MOBILE
Domestic Allocations
The domestic allocations, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, are unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
The use of this band for Government of Canada operations will continue.
n) 399.9–400.05 MHz- RADIONAVIGATION-SATELLITE
Domestic Allocation
The domestic allocation as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, will remain unchanged with regard to the service occupying it. However, the following Canadian Footnote is hereby added:
C19
The operation of low-power mobile or fixed communications equipment is permitted in the band but this equipment must not cause interference to the Radionavigation-Satellite Service.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
Systems introduced into this band under the provisions of new Canadian Footnote C19 are to be subject to licensing and operational conditions to ensure the protection from interference of the Radionavigation-Satellite Service.
o) 400.05–400.15 MHz - STANDARD FREQUENCY AND TIME
SIGNAL-SATELLITE (400.1 MHz)
Domestic Allocations
The domestic allocations, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, are unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization
The use of this band for Standard Frequency and Time Signal-Satellite will continue.
p) 400.15–401 MHz- METEOROLOGICAL AIDS
METEOROLOGICAL-SATELLITE (space-to-Earth)
SPACE RESEARCH (space-to-Earth)
Space Operation (space-to-Earth)
Domestic Allocations
The domestic allocations, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, are unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
The spectrum utilization for this band will continue unchanged thus affording protection to operations of the Canadian Atmospheric Environment Service's weather reporting and forecasting systems.
q) 401–402 MHz- METEOROLOGICAL AIDS
SPACE OPERATION (space-to-Earth)
Earth Exploration Satellite (Earth-to-space)
Fixed
Mobile except aeronautical mobile
Domestic Allocations
The domestic allocations, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, are unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
The spectrum utilization for this band will continue unchanged thus affording protection to operations of the Canadian Atmospheric Environment Service's weather reporting and forecasting systems.
r) 406–406.1 MHz - MOBILE-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space)
Domestic Allocations
The domestic allocations, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, are unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
This band will continue to be used exclusively for the Emergency Position Indicator Beacons (EPIRBs) operating on 406.025 MHz.
s) 608–614 MHz - RADIO ASTRONOMY
Mobile-Satellite except aeronautical mobile-satellite
(Earth-to-space)
Domestic Allocations
The domestic allocations, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, are unchanged.
Spectrum Utilization Policy
This band will continue to be available for radioastronomy observations.
t) 806–890 MHz- MOBILE
Fixed
890–896 MHz - FIXED
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
Radiolocation
Domestic Allocations
The domestic allocations, as specified in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for this band, are unchanged. At an appropriate future time, the status of the Fixed Service, in the band 890–896 MHz, will be modified to secondary.
Discussion Regarding the Band 890–896 MHz
This band is a portion of the larger band 890–960 MHz which has been used for point-to-point relay systems in Canada under the channelling arrangement of SRSP 310 (cancelled by Gazette Notice SMEP-005-89, May, 1989). The release of the Spectrum Utilization Policy (SP 300.89)4 in July, 1986 announced the use of this frequency spectrum for different radio services to meet new and emerging requirements. Fixed Radio Systems not meeting the requirements of this policy became non-standard (i.e. systems which do not conform with the most recent issue of the spectrum utilization policy) as of July 1, 1986. This policy put in place a protection period of five years for such existing systems until July 1, 1991.
However, it should be noted that fixed services using frequency diversity5 in the band 890–960 MHz became non-standard as a result of the release of the Policy for the Utilization of the 0.890-10.68 GHz Radio Spectrum by the Fixed Services in December 1982.
Fixed services using frequency diversity were granted a five-year period of grace which ceased on December 31, 1987. Since that date non-standard frequency diversity systems cannot cause interference to standard systems. In addition, non-standard systems are required to tolerate interference from standard systems or make the necessary modifications to avoid interference.
However, the document, General Information Related to Spectrum Utilization and Radio Systems Policies (SP-GEN) requires that licensees of a non-standard system receive up to two years' prior notification of the licensing of standard systems that could affect the operation of the non-standard system.