This page discusses Spectrum Licensing Reform in Canada. This page is a draft, feel free to contribute your thoughts and observations.
Contents
Radio Communications Act
Section 5 of the Radio Communications Act outlines the Minister of Industry's role in "ensuring the orderly establishment or modification of radio stations and the orderly development and efficient operation of radiocommunication in Canada":
5. (1) Subject to any regulations made under section 6, the Minister may, taking into account all matters that the Minister considers relevant for ensuring the orderly establishment or modification of radio stations and the orderly development and efficient operation of radiocommunication in Canada, (a) issue (i) radio licences in respect of radio apparatus, (i.1) spectrum licences in respect of the utilization of specified radio frequencies within a defined geographic area, (ii) broadcasting certificates in respect of radio apparatus that form part of a broadcasting undertaking, (iii) radio operator certificates, (iv) technical acceptance certificates in respect of radio apparatus, interference-causing equipment and radio-sensitive equipment, and (v) any other authorization relating to radiocommunication that the Minister considers appropriate, and may fix the terms and conditions of any such licence, certificate or authorization including, in the case of a radio licence and a spectrum licence, terms and conditions as to the services that may be provided by the holder thereof; (b) amend the terms and conditions of any licence, certificate or authorization issued under paragraph (a); (c) make available to the public any information set out in radio licences or broadcasting certificates; (d) establish technical requirements and technical standards in relation to (i) radio apparatus, (ii) interference-causing equipment, and (iii) radio-sensitive equipment, or any class thereof; (e) plan the allocation and use of the spectrum; (f) approve each site on which radio apparatus, including antenna systems, may be located, and approve the erection of all masts, towers and other antenna-supporting structures; (g) test radio apparatus for compliance with technical standards established under this Act; (h) require holders of, and applicants for, radio authorizations to disclose to the Minister such information as the Minister considers appropriate respecting the present and proposed use of the radio apparatus in question and the cost of installing or maintaining it; (i) require holders of radio authorizations to inform the Minister of any material changes in information disclosed pursuant to paragraph (h); (j) appoint inspectors for the purposes of this Act; (k) take such action as may be necessary to secure, by international regulation or otherwise, the rights of Her Majesty in right of Canada in telecommunication matters, and consult the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission with respect to any matter that the Minister deems appropriate; (l) make determinations as to the existence of harmful interference and issue orders to persons in possession or control of radio apparatus, interference-causing equipment or radio-sensitive equipment that the Minister determines to be responsible for the harmful interference to cease or modify operation of the apparatus or equipment until such time as it can be operated without causing or being affected by harmful interference; (m) undertake, sponsor, promote or assist in research relating to radiocommunication, including the technical aspects of broadcasting; and (n) do any other thing necessary for the effective administration of this Act.
Licensing models
A operator or individual must generally obtain permission to transmit in any part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Different radio frequencies have different technical standards, and licensing procedures. In some cases technical certification is required. In some cases different economic models exist in the making available of radio spectrum to a particular operator.
This section discusses some of the different licensing models. Please add/update information here.
Amateur Radio
The Amateur Radio spectrum requires technical certification. Licensing is available to any person with at least a basic qualification, and advanced and morse code certifications allow individuals to operate and build radio transmission equipment, and operate in other areas of the amateur radio spectrum.
The amateur radio frequency bands are the most flexible in terms of application of technology, but may not employ encryption or be used for commercial purposes. The amateur radio licensing is also flexible, in that it allows the use of uncertified devices provided an operator has sufficient qualifications.
License Exempt
License Exempt spectrum is available for a variety of uses, including ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical - as in the case of WiFi devices operating in the 900, 2.4 and 5.x frequency bands), as well as the 27 MHz citizens band range.
License exempt bands require the use of certified equipment. Home brew or experimental devices are not permitted. The license exempt bands also have power restrictions, substantially lower than other licensed services, however these low power restrictions have not limited broadband deployments.
In the case of the ISM frequency bands, many devices ranging from Cordless phones, baby monitors, television transmitters and broadband network technologies (to name a few) operate and must accept undesired interference. ISM can be dubbed "the wild west" of radio frequencies.
First Come First Serve Licensing
First Come First Serve (FCFS) licensing is often used for Fixed Wireless systems. These licenses are available to operators. License fees vary from band to band, and coordination is provided through the AdvancedLicensingSystem.
It appears that Industry Canada is gradually phasing out FCFS. One argument against FCFS is that spectrum is a finite resource, and a first come first serve process is not appropriate in todays radio communication market.
Spectrum Auctioning
In recent years Industry Canada has been conducted a number of auctions of spectrum licenses to individual stake holders. Bidders aquire a range of spectrum, often by geographical area.
The theory behind spectrum auctioning is that the market place will determine appropriate use of the spectrum, an identified limited resource. An auction provides transparency, through well defined technical and economic prerequisites.
Changes in technology
Channelization vs. frequency hopping and packet based switching
The Radio Industry has rapidly changed with the introduction of modern radio communication systems. Traditional radio systems would use the notion of "channels", where a single channel occupies a certain amount of bandwidth. As most traditional radio systems utilize an "always on" channelized system, channels can not be shared between multiple operators.
Newer digital technologies make use of "frequency hopping". These systems can detect other users on a channel, and in some cases, utilize portions of a channel's bandwidth that are not being used by the other operator.
As well, modern information network infrastructures are typically using common protocols such as the InternetProtocol. This allows for a single radio network to be utilized by multiple operators. The infrastructure itself may be operated by a single entity, but access to the network can be provided equitably as newer technology affords for greater broadband capacity.
Specialization vs. commodity devices
Radio Communication technology has, traditionally, required electronics expertise and have often been deployed by engineers and other specialists.
Modern broadband technologies are increasingly simple to deploy, designed for computer network operators and consumers. Newer technologies do not require the same level of expertise as older technologies, however basic knowledge of radio communication issues is often not made readily available.
Problems
- Industry Canada's policies are oriented towards traditional, legacy technologies.
- Industry Canada's policies have not kept up with the times.
- Industry Canada's policies are oriented towards engineering and policy makers, not consumers or network administrators.
- Traditional radio systems are not efficient compared to modern broadband technologies.
- The FCFS and auction processes limit access to spectrum to a single entity, thus locking out other operators for realizing market potential.
- Industry Canada has a hands-off approach to enforcement, prefering coordination and market self-regulation.
- Existing lobby groups are inaccessible to new entrants.
Recommendations for Spectrum Reform
Principles
- Spectrum is a finite resource.
- Spectrum is a public resource, therefor the public has a right to utilize it.
- Interference should be minimized to allow other operators equitable access to the resource.
Operators should be encouraged to share spectrum and network resources to effeciently utilize the resource.
Self regulation
Industry Canada, or another neutral (not industry specific) public body should facilitate spectrum registration and coordination.
Exclusivity
Spectrum licensing should not be made on an exclusive basis. Industry Canada should shift to an open registration model that does not involve geographical assignment or exclusivity. In circumstances where geographical allocation is deemed appropriate, operators should be required to provide equitable and fair access to network infrastructures utilizing the allocated spectrum.
Education
Independent operators such as Community Networks, Internet Providers, individuals, etc. should be made aware of basic interference issues and procedures, as a pre-condition to registration.
Consultations
There are consultations. See IndustryCanadaConsultations for more information.
What you can do
Community Wireless Groups
Community Wireless Groups should monitor spectrum licensing consultations and provide responses to help Industry Canada transition to a new model of spectrum registration. Microwave bands such as 3650-3700 provide an opportunity for Cellular<>New Media convergence through WiFi and WiMAX technologies.
Network Operators
Consult with independent operators and community groups to establish partnerships in sharing network resources. Also encourage your advisory commitees and communication councils to open their membership up to new entrants to Industry.
Individuals
Provide letters of support to your local community group in support of open access to the spectrum. As an individual, you will benefit from enhanced network services and lower cost network access.
Here is a sample letter, Email it to wireless@ic.gc.ca or send to the postal address.
Director, Spectrum and Radio Policy, Telecommunications Policy Branch Industry Canada 1604A - 300 Slater Street, 16th Floor Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C8. To whom it may concern: My name is _______________, I reside in ____________. I am in general favour of opening access to under-utilized radio spectrum for public use provided provisions are taken to address coordination and market self-regulation, and request the Industry Canada undertake comprehensive spectrum reform to address the new market of consumer and community operated wireless networks. I support: * The establishment of a distributed spectrum management registration system, requiring accurate updates by network operators to facilitate dispute resolution between competitors. * Not utilizing geographical allocations or auction processes, as they limit access to spectrum to individual operators. * Encouragement of partnerships between stake holders of spectrum through open network access on radio systems. * The establishment of an open, and transparent administration commitee that consults with all aspects of Industry, not just the Radio Advisory Board of Canada, WTC or other Industry Organizations that exclude broadband wireless operators, community groups and general consumers. As an independent owner and operator of a wireless network, I provide access to the public and believe further access to registered spectrum will enhance innovation of multimedia and network convergence. Users of new technologies such as WiMAX enabled cellular products, mobile computers and specialized devices will have ubiqitous access to a variety of public and commercial information networks. Industry Canada has a key role to play in insuring independent and individual wireless network operators are allowed fair access just as any other incumbment operator.
