This is the Canadian Regulatory (ie: "Legal") section. If you have a question about the legalities of the project, post it under the Frequently Asked Questions topic below. If you have definitive information, please also feel free to add it.
Please keep in mind that I am NOT a Lawyer (nor do I wish to be), and that this information is provided for general reference only.
License Exempt RadioSystemStandards are regulated by RSS-210, which is presently in its sixth amendement (September 2005). Previousley RSS-139 dictated licensed use within these bands but was withdrawn.
Table of Contents
Contents
- Using the Unlicensed 2.4GHz radio spectrum
- Using the Unlicensed 5GHz radio spectrum
- Home Brew, build your own equipment
- Regulations (Industry Canada)
- The Radiocommunication Act
- Spectrum Policy for Radio Services in 2285-2483.5 MHz Range (June 8)
Using the Unlicensed 2.4GHz radio spectrum
The 2.4GHz spectrum (2400-2483Mhz) is used by 802.11b and 802.11g networking devices. The maximum EIRP is 4 Watts for point to multi point networks. Point to point networks do not have a restriction on antenna gain. All bands are limited to 1W output from the transmitter.
For more background information on using 2.4GHz in Canada, see Spectrum Advisory Bulletin 002
2400-2450Mhz (Channels 1-8)
Under the old Industry Canada rules, use of 2400-2450Mhz was restricted to indoor use only (outdoor use required a license).
- Protection to licensed users was withdrawn in July of 2002 including the distinction of RSS-139 and RSS-210 thus making the above point moot.
2400-2450MHz is also used by some cordless telephones, motion sensors and microwave ovens. Amateur Radio operators also use this portion of the band.
2450-2483.5MHz (Channels 9-14)
Channels 9-14 (2450-2483MHz) were the only channels that may be used outdoors without a license. These channels are still preferable to use for outdoor and long range PtP links.
Using the Unlicensed 5GHz radio spectrum
The 5GHz spectrum (5150-5350 MHz and 5725-5825 MHz) is used by 802.11a technologies. This band allows for speeds over 54MBps+ and are ideal for backbone applications.
5150-5250 MHz (Lower Band)
This band is restricted to Indoors operation only, the maximum EIRP may not exceed 200mW. All devices in this band must use an integral antenna (ie: no external antenna). This band is shared by Mobile Satellite Services.
5250-5350 MHz (Middle Band)
This band can be used for point-to-multipoint and point-to-point networks both indoors and outdoors. The maximum EIRP permitted is 1W, 250mW from the transmitter. Industry Canada also notes, "Devices may operate across the bottom/middle frequency boundary of 5250 MHz provided that the device is labelled "for indoor use only" and the power spectral density within 5150-5250 MHz complies with the limit for that band. Conditions (iv) apply."
5470 - 5725 MHz ()
per http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/vwapj/sp5150-i2e.pdf/$FILE/sp5150-i2e.pdf (Apr 2005)
The band 5470-5725 MHz may be used for both indoor and outdoor LE-LAN operation. LE-LAN devices shall be limited to a maximum e.i.r.p. of 1 W with a maximum transmitter power of 250 mW.
Each LE-LAN device must have the capability to operate at least 6 dB below the maximum permitted e.i.r.p. in order to provide, on average, a mitigation factor of at least 3 dB on the maximum average output power of the system. Alternatively, if TPC is not used, then the maximum permitted e.i.r.p. limit shall be reduced by 3 dB. The maximum permitted e.i.r.p. limit is 1W with a corresponding maximum e.i.r.p. density of 50mW/MHz in any 1 MHz band. Therefore, devices with maximum e.i.r.p. of less than 500 mW are not required to implement TPC.
5600 - 5650 MHz (shared with sat)
The 5600-5650 MHz band is primarily used by meteorolical systems including RADARSAT.
"If a channel has been flagged as containing a radar, a 10-minute continuous monitoring of the flagged channel is required prior to use of that channel. Otherwise, other appropriate methods such as channel exclusion would be required.”
5725-5825 MHz (Upper Band)
This band can be used for multi-point networks up to a maximum of 4 watts EIRP (1.0 watt from the transmitter). Fixed Point-to-Point links can utilize as much gain as necessary.
Home Brew, build your own equipment
The Radio Communication Regulations prohibits the average person from manufacturing or modifying transmission equipment.
However, we are permitted to build our own transmission lines and radiaters (so building a 25dbi antenna out of a coat hanger is not out of the question), however you can not modify the radio card itself. So cracking open your DLink card and soldering a pigtail is a very gray area. You can probably get away with it if you don't open the PCMCIA housing, only the antenna cover. DLink DWL-650 hack
Of course you can connect an external connector to a device that already has an antenna connector, use as any of the RSS-139 devices, or your DLink access point which using a wierd SMA-isk connector.
Regulations (Industry Canada)
Radio Communication in Canada is regulated by Industry Canada (formerly Department of Communications, and Communications Canada).
The Radiocommunication Act
Spectrum Policy for Radio Services in 2285-2483.5 MHz Range (June 8)
On June 1st 2001 Industry Canada released Revisions to the Utilization Policy for 2285-2483MHz.
This should contain relevent data RSS-210 - Low Power Licence-Exempt Radiocommunication Devices (All Frequency Bands) and amendments (Should the link break, search the strategis site for RSS-210)
Names you don't want to be called, as a human being
- Telecommunications Carrier.
