TB-8 — Compendium of Interoperability Voice/Data Channels That Can Be Used Nationwide in Canada and for Canada-United States Interoperability Operations

1. Introduction and Purpose

Public safety agencies rely heavily on the ability to communicate with each other by radio, that is, to be interoperable, in planned and unplanned situations and emergencies. In recent years, the need for radio interoperability has been identified by the public safety community. Radio Systems Policy RP-25, Policy Principles for Public Safety Radio Interoperability, provides definitions of radio interoperability, public safety and other associated terms. It also describes Industry Canada's policy principles with respect to facilitating and enabling radio interoperability.

One of the tasks defined under the Communications Interoperability Action Plan for Canada, which is derived from the Communications Interoperability Strategy for Canada, is the identification of cross-border interoperability channels that are available nationwide and along the Canada-US border. Industry Canada was designated as the coordinator for this task.

Throughout the years, Industry Canada has identified interoperability channels in various frequency bands. This technical bulletin provides a detailed list of the interoperability channels identified in the bands 220 MHz, 700 MHz and 800 MHz. These interoperability^{Footnote 1} channels can be used nationwide in Canada and, where specified, for Canada-US interoperability operations.

2. Public Safety and Mutual Aid Channels in the 220 MHz Band

In the 220 MHz band, the 15 paired channels, which are 5 kHz wide, listed in Table 1 are available in both Canada and the United States on a shared basis for the purpose of public safety interoperability within 120 km of the Canada-US border. Furthermore, these channels are available on a non-restricted basis everywhere in Canada. Channels 161 to 170 and 181 to 185 are to be used only for the coordination of tactical communications between different public safety agencies, or for other similar emergency communications. The use of these channels in the border area may be locally coordinated in accordance with general sharing principles.

For additional information on the public safety and mutual aid channels of the 220 MHz band, see Standard Radio System Plan SRSP-512, Technical Requirements for Land Mobile and Fixed Radio Services Operating in the Band 220-222 MHz.

3. Public Safety Interoperability Channels in the 700 MHz Band

In the 700  MHz band, the 64 paired channels, which are 6.25 kHz wide, listed in Table 2 are available as public safety interoperability (I/O) channels. These channels are available for use in all areas and are to be used only for the coordination of tactical communications between different public safety agencies or for other similar emergency communications. The use of these channels in the border area may be locally coordinated in accordance with the interoperability requirements of Canadian and US licensees.

For additional information on the interoperability channels of the 700 MHz band, see SRSP-511, Technical Requirements for Land Mobile Radio Services Operating in the Bands 768-776 MHz and 798-806 MHz.

4. Public Safety Interoperability Channels in the 800 MHz Band

4.1 Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Channels

In the 800 MHz band, the 25 kHz wide channels listed in Table 3 are available to public safety agencies as public safety interoperability channels within Canada. These channels are available for use in all areas and are to be used only for the coordination of tactical communications between public safety agencies or within the same public safety agency, or for other similar emergency communications associated with Canadian operations for the preservation of life and protection of property. The channels are separated by 500 kHz. Adjacent channels in the 800 MHz band (i.e., the next centre frequency) will not be assigned closer than 25 kHz to these interoperability channels. Calling and tactical channels will be assigned together. These channels are not available for shared Canada-US use.

4.2 Canada-US Public Safety Interoperability Channels

The 25 kHz wide channels listed in Table 4 are available as public safety interoperability channels. These channels are available for use within 30 km of the Canada-US border in all areas. Interoperability channels are to be used only for the coordination of tactical communications between public safety agencies or within the same public safety agency, or for other similar emergency communications associated with Canada-US operations for the preservation of life and protection of property. The use of these channels in the border area may be locally coordinated in accordance with the interoperability requirements of the Canadian and US public safety licensees. Within 30 km of the Canada-US border, adjacent channels in the 800 MHz band (i.e., the next centre frequency) will not be assigned closer than 25 kHz to these interoperability channels. Calling and tactical channels will be assigned together. Beyond 30 km of the Canada-US border, these channels are not identified for Canadian interoperability use.

For additional information on the interoperable channels of the 800 MHz band, see SRSP-502, Technical Requirements for Land Mobile and Fixed Radio Services Operating in the Bands 806-821/851-866 MHz and 821-824/866-869 MHz.