ISED releases spectrum outlook until 2027

The Department of Industry Science and Economic Development (ISED) released its Spectrum Outlook 2023-2027 late last month. In its outlook, the department stated that it found that its planned spectrum releases, such as the 3,800 MHz auction planned late this year, will be able to keep up with the increasing demand. Higher frequency bands are also in demand due to the satellite market’s needs for non-geostationary, LEO technologies. Licence-exempt spectrum is also a growing trend due to Wi-Fi enabled technologies and the internet of things (IoT). ISED is keeping the same priority bands as outlined in the 2018 outlook, with the addition of the 3,900 MHz band in the first priority band. The department plans to licence the band in late-2024 for early access applications and after March 2025 for all other applications. The 2500 MHz band and the 37-37.6 GHz band were added to its second priority list (bands which need policy or technical standards development or policy reviews and international coordination. ISED will consider proposals from licensees to convert the former band to time division duplexing (TDD) -use only. For the latter, ISED said it will continue to monitor developments in the U.S. and release a consultation plan once there is international certainty. ISED said it plans to modernize its fee policies and it intends to release a number of consultations regarding the application of fees in several bands. Its policy objectives regarding fees is to incentivize efficient use of spectrum and obtain a fair return to Canadians for the use of spectrum. “For example, when licensees provide services in order to generate a return on investment and/or profit, an effective fee regime should reflect the relative value of the spectrum and ensure a fair return to Canadians for its use within the relevant legal and policy framework,” ISED wrote in its consultation. ISED also broke down its outlook into the five main policy themes it wishes to achieve: spectrum as an economic driver and enabler of Industry 4.0; rural connectivity in the wake of COVID-19; Indigenous connectivity; spectrum, wireless technology and climate change; and competition and wireless affordability. – Reporting by Jenna Cocullo at jcocullo@thewirereport.ca and editing by Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca

ISED releases spectrum outlook until 2027

News | September 1, 2023

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ISED releases spectrum outlook until 2027

News | September 1, 2023

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