SP 30-896 MHz, Part II — Spectrum Utilization Policy for the Mobile, Broadcasting and Amateur Services in the Frequency Range 30–896 MHz

3.2.2 Observations

The Department of Industry has noted the above concerns and the favourable response to the need for a re-deployment approach and the detailed comments are under consideration. In particular, The Department of Industry will continue dialogue with industry, primarily through the forum established by the RABC for this purpose. In addition, the Department of Industry will continue discussions with both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and National Telecommunication and Information Agency (NTIA) to ensure the greatest possible harmonization with the parallel refarming activities in the United States.

The mobile service frequency bands which are to be considered for re-deployment planning are:

The specific comments on a common migration approach for both the VHF and UHF mobile bands will be considered in the re-deployment planning, as will the need to take into account local requirements, while developing a national approach. The need to provide for the maximum flexibility in technology and to allow the marketplace to choose the most effective new technologies is noted.

The Department of Industry will review and reissue where required, spectrum utilization policies (SP), radio standards specifications (RSS) and standard radio systems plans (SRSP) dealing with the mobile service bands based on further public consultation. The input from all interested parties including the RABC and the results of discussions with the FCC and NTIA will be factored into the redeployment plan.

3.3 Spectrum Utilization Re-Deployment Principles

In the 150 MHz and 450 MHz mobile service bands, as previously defined in Section 3.2.2 , mobile spectrum usage in the major urban centres is reaching or has already reached critical levels of congestion. This situation, combined with the reality that there is no new spectrum available for existing and emerging mobile radio services below 1 GHz, requires the development of a re-deployment plan to redress this situation. For many new mobile radio services, the utilization of spectrum above 1 GHz is alternatively too expensive. Consequently, the most economically-sound way to meet the growing traffic capacity demands of emerging and existing users of spectrum below 1 GHz , may be to free-up core spectrum through the introduction of significant spectrum efficient radio technologies.

The Department of Industry is committed to the re-deployment of radio frequencies in the 150 MHz and 450 MHz ranges, as a long term solution to meeting spectrum user needs. The Department of Industry also recognizes that the implementation of a coherent re-deployment plan will require continuous consultation with industry over a number of years. In this regard, a re-deployment plan will be developed with industry based on comments already received and ongoing consultation over the next year or so. Such an approach will enable the creation of a comprehensive plan that is sensitive to user needs while at the same time recognizing that such a plan must carefully balance the introduction of any new spectrum utilizations with similar ones that are emerging in a North American context. The following principles result from public consultation on the 30-960 MHz Review and should guide the development of a re-deployment plan for mobile service bands in the 150 MHz and 450 MHz ranges.

Some Guiding Principles for the Development of a Re-deployment Plan

1. Plan a gradual transition to new technologies with a minimum of disruption to existing users.
2. Adopt transition periods that reflect the future spectrum needs of a majority of users and include appropriate periods for equipment amortization.
3. Adopt transition periods that will free-up sufficient frequencies for the ever-increasing demand for new mobile systems in various service areas (e.g. urban, rural and remote areas).
4. Provide an access priority in the usage of newly freed-up spectrum to users who aggressively deploy technologies that significantly increase traffic capacity.
5. Encourage technologies offering improved spectrum efficiency with minimal disruption to existing services and give such applications preference in access to frequencies over conventional systems.
6. Remove technical, policy or regulatory constraints that inhibit the utilization of new spectrum efficient technologies.
7. Provide appropriate policy measures for safety, security, rail and maritime mobile services.
8. Provide equitable treatment of all spectrum users in pursuing more spectrum efficient technologies.
9. Recognize regional differences in spectrum density or congestion in policy directions.
10. Recognize backward compatibility with existing mobile systems to support a smooth and graceful transition to new technologies.
11. Recognize areas of high spectrum congestion and give priority to dealing with these areas.
12. Consolidate users with common needs and systems with similar operating requirements to realize common solutions to advance spectrum utilization efficiency.
13. Provide for a seamless and economical transition, where practicable, to new technologies with existing systems on the same channel(s) with the same requirements.
14. Provide consideration of rural and remote users (areas of low spectrum use) who may not need to convert to narrow band operation as spectrum is plentiful.

4. Revisions to the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations

Most of the proposed new allocations in the 30-960 MHz Review were based on decisions taken at WARC-92. They included those allocations supporting nongeostationary mobile satellite systems below 1 GHz, (137-138, 148-149.9, 149.9-150.05 and 400.15-401 MHz), space research allocations (400.15-401 and 410-420 MHz) and allocations modifications to accommodate the mobile service (849-851, 894-896 and 942-960 MHz). Gazette Notice DGTP-005-94 released the document entitled, Revisions to the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations (1994) which adopted new allocations to the Canadian Table. In the utilization policies section (Section 5) which follows, a summary of the Canadian allocations will be presented for each frequency band. The reader should refer to the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations for a full description of the relationship between bands and services.

5. Utilization Policies

Based upon the results of public consultation, the following is a series of spectrum utilization policy statements for certain services and frequency bands dealt with in Part II of the 30-960 MHz Review. A summary of the specific frequency allocations currently in force in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations will be stated as additional information to that provided in the utilization policies.

5.1 Mobile Service Bands

A full description of the relationship between bands and services as contained in related international and domestic footnotes can be found in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations.

5.1.1 Overview: 30-50 MHz

The 30-50 MHz band is used by licensed radio users for a number of mobile service applications. These licensed systems tend to be concentrated in the upper portion of the band where radio propagation characteristics are more favourable. This upper band portion includes experimental radio systems operating in spectrum vacated by GLMRS (General Land Mobile Radio Service), radio paging, private radio systems and radio common carrier systems. Furthermore, there is extensive mobile usage (both private and government including the National Defence Department) across the entire 30-50 MHz range of frequencies. It is recognized that government and non-government entities use frequencies across the entire 30-50 MHz range for licensed mobile service and such primary operation will continue on a homogeneous and coordinated basis.

The overall utilization policy direction is to continue to support new radio technology applications that can be easily deployed within the full range of frequencies with minimum impact on existing users. Hence, it is understood that the term "new technologies" is to be construed in its broadest sense. Currently, The Department of Industry is permitting large capacity land mobile systems in vacated GLMRS frequencies as well as spread spectrum technology and other experimental spectrum efficient systems in the band. These ongoing uses are in accordance withRadio Systems Policy RP-013 released in October, 1988, which permits large capacity land mobile systems and experimental testing of spectrum efficient systems in the vacated spectrum formerly utilized by GLMRS.

The deployment of licence-exempt low power applications in this range will be permitted as a secondary service that is, on a non-interference basis without protection from interference from licensed users. The terms for licence-exempt applications for low power and very low power systems are set out in Radio Standards Specification - RSS 210. Very low power devices, with a spurious emission field strength of no greater than 100 uV/m at 3 metres, are permitted in the 30-50 MHz range of frequencies. Therefore, such devices should not interfere with licensed stations and will operate on a non-protection and non-interference basis. Such devices are deemed to be technically suitable for licence-exemption in accordance with radio standards emission requirements.

The following subsections set-out the utilization policy provisions for the band 30-50 MHz.

5.1.2 30.005-37.5 MHz

Domestic Allocations

Mobile
Space Research
Fixed

Utilization Policy

The band 30.005-30.01 MHz is amalgamated with the band 30.01-37.5 MHz for licensed mobile systems. This amalgamated band, 30.005-37.5 MHz, will continue to accommodate existing uses such as mobile radio systems at 20 kHz channel spacing, radio paging, automatic repeaters and remaining GLMRS users, experimental uses and large capacity land mobile systems (in the ten vacated frequency pairs at 35.260-35.660 MHz and 43.260-43.660 MHz). These uses will continue to be permitted in accordance with Radio Systems Policy RP-013 released in October, 1988. The 36.0-37.5 MHz portion of the newly amalgamated band is also designated to the development and testing of new long range transmission techniques over and above current licensed use.

5.1.3 37.5-38.25 MHz

Domestic Allocations

Mobile
Fixed
Radio Astronomy

Utilization Policy

The band 37.5-38.25 MHz will be used by various licensed mobile systems on a primary basis. On a secondary basis, fixed systems will be accommodated where practical. New mobile and fixed applications may be assigned to this portion of spectrum.

5.1.4 38.25-39.986 MHz

Domestic Allocations

Mobile
Fixed

Utilization Policy

The band 38.25-39.986 MHz, will continue to accommodate the licensing of various mobile systems on a primary basis. On a secondary basis, Emergency Traffic Control and Remote Fire Alarm systems and other licence-exempt systems are currently permitted. Furthermore, the use of long-range transmission applications, with a view to meeting requirements for point-topoint, point-to-multipoint and radio paging communications is permitted.Frequency designations are intended to reflect the utilization policy set out in Radio Systems Policy RP-004 of October 1, 1983, entitled, Policy for the Licensing of Very Low Capacity Point-to-Point Links in the Band 30-890 MHz.

5.1.5 39.986-41.015 MHz

Domestic Allocations

Mobile
Fixed
Space Research

Utilization Policy

The band 39.986-40.02 MHz is amalgamated with the bands 40.02-40.98 MHz and 40.98-41.015 MHz. In the amalgamated band 39.986-41.015 MHz, Emergency Traffic Control and Remote Fire Alarm systems and ISM operations is permitted. The band portion 40.02-40.98 is also designated to analogue and digital low-power systems on a licence-exempt basis.

5.1.6 41.015-47 MHz

Domestic Allocations

Mobile
Fixed

Utilization Policy

In the band 41.015-47.0 MHz, mobile usage is accommodated on a primary basis and low-power systems on a secondary basis. For certain types of low-power systems, particularly those intended for industrial applications where safety is concerned there must be an adequate level of protection against interference. In the band portion 43.260-43.660 MHz such uses are permitted inaccordance with Radio Systems Policy RP-013 released in October, 1988. This radio system policy is maintained in order to satisfy the requirements of users of the land mobile service in non-urban regions.

Analogue cordless telephones currently are permitted to utilize 10 frequency pairs in the 46 MHz band (base transmit only: 46.610-46.970 MHz - see following Section, 5.1.7) in accordance with Radio Systems Standard - Low Power Cordless Telephones Operating in the 46 MHz and 49 MHz bands (RSS-209).

5.1.7 47-50 MHz

Domestic Allocations

Mobile
Fixed

Utilization Policy

The band 47.0-50.0 MHz is heavily used by the land mobile service particularly along the corridor extending 120 km north along the Canada/U.S. border.Current mobile designation therefore is to be maintained.

Analogue cordless telephones, assigned on a secondary allocation basis without protection from interference, currently are permitted to utilize 10 frequency pairs in the 49 MHz band (handset transmit only: 49.670 – 49.970 - see previous section, 5.1.6) in accordance with Radio Systems Standard - Low Power Cordless Telephones Operating in the 46 MHz and 49 MHz bands ( RSS-209).At the moment no other cordless telephone frequencies are permitted for use in this frequency range. However, there is interest in a North American context to increase the number of channels available for new cordless telephone technology in this frequency range. It is the intention of the Department of Industry, following the finalization of these developments, to implement to the maximum extent possible a similar channelling plan in Canada (i.e. to the extent that they can be accommodated across Canada in the various regions, with minimal disruption of usage to existing users).

Additional frequency pairs in adjacent subbands, that could raise the total number of frequency pairs from 10 to 25, are being considered. This should accommodate the needs of second generation cordless telephone users.

5.1.8 72-73 MHz

Domestic Allocations

Fixed
Mobile

Utilization Policy

In the band 72-73 MHz, mobile systems are permitted on a shared primary basis with fixed systems. This band also accommodates low power industrial safety applications which are permitted with due regard for making assignments that do not cause interference to television channels 4 and 5 or to neighbouring aeronautical radionavigation facilities in the band 74.5-75.2 MHz.

5.1.9 138-174 MHz

Domestic Allocations

Utilization Policy

These bands represent the VHF spectrum usage for a wide range of licensed mobile systems and mobile applications.

These mobile service bands will continue to provide the core spectrum for the wide range of mobile services below 1 GHz. Development of a re-deployment plan will require further public consultation. This spectrum will need to accomodate an ever-increasing growth of mobile service. Spectrum congestion is already being experienced in large metropolitan centres.

A re-deployment plan for the mobile service bands will be developed through further dialogue with industry. The principles set out in section 3.3 will guide the development of a re-deployment plan for further public consultation.

⁷ This band is paired with the band 415-419 MHz.

⁸ In the band portion 420-421 MHz, base transmit frequencies are used in conjunction with mobile transmit frequencies in the band 409-410 MHz.

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