Which frequency does mobilicity use

But most importantly, the big win is for Canadian consumers due to the government policy. Today's approval of these licence transfers delivers on this objective," Industry Minister James Moore said in a statement. Rogers will continue to offer service for Mobilicity's , customers, transitioning them over to its network. Spokesman Aaron Lazarus said Rogers has not yet determined whether it will retain the brand as a discount wireless offering. Finally, it gains new licences for spectrum in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, which he said the company would consider selling to MTS Inc.

Of course, in that case, a sale to one of the Big Three was not seen as an option. Scotia Capital Inc. Rogers said Wednesday evening that it has now received all necessary approvals for the transactions, including the green light from the Competition Bureau.

Follow Christine Dobby on Twitter: christinedobby Opens in a new window. Report an error. Editorial code of conduct. Drag the bar to see how AWS-1 spectrum holdings have changed with the Mobilicity deal. Drag right for before the deal and drag left for after. Source: Industry Canada. While Mobilicity has finally found a buyer — selling to Rogers Communications Inc. The Mobilicity deal is the catalyst for a series of spectrum transfers revealed Wednesday that will redistribute the airwaves in a much sought-after frequency band.

Rogers announced its deal to buy Mobilicity Wednesday morning and shortly after that the Ontario Superior Court judge who was supervising the small carrier's creditor protection proceedings gave the transaction his stamp of approval.

Rogers and Shaw struck a broader deal that included the option in but have to date been unable to win government approval for the spectrum transfer until now. In an announcement Wednesday afternoon, Industry Canada detailed the spectrum transfers, saying Wind will acquire 26 new licences for spectrum as a result of the transactions — 16 licences from the Shaw spectrum and 10 licences from Mobilicity.

Rogers will keep two of the licences from Shaw and acquire some of Wind's current spectrum. The advantage to Rogers is that as a result of the arrangement, it will gain more contiguous spectrum. That means the blocks of airwaves are located right next to each other and make it easier to deliver more bandwidth and faster speeds.

For Wind, gaining the new licences will make it possible for the company to begin to deploy LTE long-term evolution or fourth-generation service while it previously only had enough spectrum to operate a 3G network. The spectrum at issue in the all the transactions is all in the AWS-1 advanced wireless services frequency band. Industry Canada said the transfers would not result in an excessive concentration of spectrum in one company's hands and would put certain unused spectrum to use.

It also noted that Mobilicity's customers would continue to have service as a result of the transactions. A new wireless competitor has secured valuable spectrum it needs, and high-quality spectrum that went unused for almost a decade will now be deployed for the betterment of all Canadians," Industry Minister James Moore said in a statement.

As international discussions regarding the potential for mobile use in the MHz range continue, several respondents contend that this issue should first be addressed prior to any decisions regarding possible changes to the band. Footnote 6 Furthermore, TELUS, Bell Mobility and Rogers encouraged the Department to refrain from making any decisions relating to the use of the MHz portion of the band until the Department had concluded consultations on allocations within the 3.

Apart from the international uncertainty of the 3. It was further noted that this lack of interest by equipment manufacturers and wireless service providers could be the result of non-harmonized technical requirements Footnote 7 of the band. AVIAT suggested that technical standards be aligned with the United States to provide the necessary market scale in order to develop usage of this band in Canada and Shaw noted that there is very limited equipment availability for this frequency band.

Several technical provisions were proposed to improve FS usage within the band. The Department acknowledges the important role that lower frequency backhaul bands play in supporting rural deployments given the long distances between populated areas. With the introduction of commercial mobile broadband services in the MHz band and the transition of cellular to Long Term Evolution LTE , high-capacity backhaul systems to support these services are crucial.

Use of the 4 GHz band by the FS is currently limited to high-capacity systems. Loosening this restriction would allow the deployment of systems that may not initially transmit large volumes of data, but would likely over time increase the amount of capacity being carried.

For example, this additional flexibility becomes increasingly important in the development of microwave backhaul systems supporting services in rural areas where there may not be sufficient traffic over the link to initially qualify it as a high-capacity link. Rather than not permitting these links due to limited capacity, the Department would allow them to operate under the provision that they will eventually carry more traffic as additional services are delivered to the communities.

To increase overall usage and flexibility, the Department will loosen the capacity restriction in the upper portion of the band i. The specific traffic throughput requirements will be outlined as part of the technical rules established by the Department. By solely concentrating on the upper portion of the band, any influx of systems will not detract from international mobile discussions within the MHz frequency range.

Furthermore, current microwave radio equipment provides for easily scalable transmission capacities. As such, it is relatively straightforward to expand a system to accommodate additional traffic as the network grows.

This allows for the orderly progression in upgrading traffic throughput and is advantageous in that no new infrastructure is required, as the systems are able to continue using the same spectrum range to accommodate traffic increases. Given the international interest in mobility within the band MHz and ongoing international discussions regarding the lower portion of the 4 GHz band MHz , the Department will continue to monitor global spectrum policies regarding the MHz frequency range and will review the spectrum utilization policy and associated technical standard as needed in the future.

As the consultation proposed no changes to the status of FSS in this band, the Department reiterates that the band is shared between co-primary FS and FSS space-to-Earth systems on a coordinated first-come, first-served FCFS basis, with responsibilities for protection placed on both parties in the coordination process.

Footnote 8. The Department is loosening the capacity restriction on fixed service FS systems operating within the upper portion of the band i. Systems with lower traffic throughput will be permitted provided that they conform with the technical rules of the frequency band. Furthermore, use of the spectrum for FSS is limited to applications that pose minimal constraints on the deployment of fixed services.

The band is also allocated to other services on a co-primary basis, with use of the FSS having priority over use of the FS within the The Department, through Revisions to Spectrum Utilization Policies in the GHz Frequency Range and Further Consultation , made significant changes to the 18 GHz band from a fixed services perspective: placing a moratorium on the licensing of new fixed systems in the bands Footnote 10 This has curtailed licensing activity in the bands This is in stark comparison to the more than 6, FS licensed frequency assignments in the paired bands Given the lack of deployments within the bands These points are further stressed by Rogers, which has confirmed with certain manufacturers that there is no equipment available and there are no plans for any product development in these portions of the band.

It was further noted that given the overall asymmetry of this sub-band, only two 30 MHz paired channels and a single MHz unpaired block are permitted.

TeraGo also recommended that the Department retain the existing designation in preference for applications requiring low-capacity systems in small channel bandwidths and allow for more flexible use of the spectrum by including point-to-multipoint applications. Given that the frequency bands As such, EchoStar requested that smaller antennas be prohibited in adjacent channels and that coordination be required for all FS stations using any part of the adjacent band with FSS gateway stations operating within the bands Based on the submissions, there was considerable support for a further review of the feasibility of TDD operations within the band.

In support of technology-neutral use in general and to specifically increase use within Footnote 11 While this will not specifically address the unique channelling plan resulting from previous decisions on designating the FSS priority use in the band The Department will establish specific technical rules for the With respect to the fixed service allocation, the Department is maintaining the designation of spectrum for point-to-point applications in the paired bands The 24 GHz The 28 GHz frequency band In , the Department auctioned spectrum in the 24 and 38 GHz bands for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint broadband wireless access applications.

A total of MHz Since then, there has been limited usage by FS systems within the auctioned spectrum. The 38 GHz band is primarily used for short-distance backhaul in urban core areas. Although more interest and deployments have occurred within the paired FCFS portion In June , the Department released a spectrum utilization policy, which addressed the implementation of fixed radio systems in the bands The RABC also indicated that availability both on a spectrum and area basis for the 24, 28 and 38 GHz bands would greatly assist access.

TELUS also suggested that the fragmented licensing approach between FCFS and auctioned spectrum makes it difficult to use this band as a fibre alternative in urban areas i. To this end, TELUS recommended that the Department modify the current 38 GHz policy to address all unused spectrum both from the non-auctioned and the auctioned portions of the band in an attempt to increase channel sizes.

TELUS recommended that the Department address this in the coming year to facilitate the use of this band for backhaul in support of mobile and fixed broadband services. In addition, the RABC and Bell Mobility recommended that the Department update the availability of the 24 and 38 GHz unassigned and returned blocks on the website, citing that up-to-date spectrum availability would assist interested licensees in taking advantage of this spectrum and facilitate its use.

The decision related to these issues will be announced as a part of that separate consultation process. Similar to the auctioned spectrum, the lower MHz portion of the 38 GHz band As such, the Department used the consultation as a mechanism to explore and address the lack of use within the sub-band. In the responses to the consultation, most respondents attributed the lack of deployment and use of the This notion was furthered by AVIAT, a manufacturer, which commented that the band is too small to support the necessary duplex spacing for FDD systems.

Furthermore, the RABC, in its discussions with equipment vendors, noted that they were not aware of any plans for the development of equipment in this band. A few proposals were suggested by respondents to make better use of the band.

Industry Canada recognizes the need to examine the technical rules for the 38 GHz band. The Department will make any necessary revisions to associated publications, such as the standard radio system plan and spectrum utilization policy.

Industry Canada is committed to ensuring the orderly development and efficient operation of radiocommunications in Canada. This includes providing sufficient spectrum to support the development of new and innovative applications and services. As such, the Department is making additional spectrum available for wireless backhaul across medium- and short-haul frequency bands. By ensuring sufficient and harmonized spectrum, the Department is facilitating the deployment of broadband infrastructure, especially in rural areas.

In these endeavors, the Department recognizes the importance of aligning spectrum use and designations within the global marketplace, to the greatest extent possible. Footnote 13 Use of the bands Canada currently has access to four geostationary orbital positions using the band The remaining orbital position is available for assignment to Canadian satellite operators.

With respect to the FS, the Typically, VHCM systems use the entire TV pick-up operations, including ENG, are generally licensed on a geographical basis over a defined area, within the Given the interest and spectrum demand to deploy medium-haul systems, as well as the limited requests for additional VHCM systems, the Department proposed, in the consultation, to introduce fixed two-way low-, medium- and high-capacity point-to-point backhaul services in the band There was strong support from wireless service providers for the introduction of two-way backhaul applications in the band.

As a result of the moderate to heavy usage within mid-range spectrum, coupled with the recent loss of the above-noted spectrum, service providers indicated that geographical areas are becoming highly congested. Although the RABC noted a significant move towards utilization of the Although broadcasters expressed a continued need for VHCM systems and TV pick-up operations, they were satisfied that, through coordination on a geographic basis, backhaul systems could be accommodated within the band, but particular attention to TV pick-ups operating within the Furthermore, Shaw suggested that the 13 GHz band remain designated for VHCM, on a primary basis, with the introduction of backhaul applications on a secondary basis.

The Department notes that although there has been a trend toward fibre, some cable carriers continue to expand into smaller remote communities where VHCM systems may be their sole option. Shaw supports the coexistence of a variety of systems on a coordinated basis. Shaw noted the existence of an ETSI band plan and recommended channel sizes of 20, 30, 40 and 50 MHz to ensure the maximum bandwidth capacity of the microwave links, whereas Rogers suggested a similar channel plan, but with the inclusion of 10 MHz channels.

Both contend that this large variety of channel widths and the possibility of aggregation allows for greater flexibility in the deployment of low-, medium- and high-capacity systems, noting that equipment is available and in use in Europe. There has been a wide range of support and spectrum demand for medium-haul systems.

The Department notes that various geographical areas within the GHz frequency band range are becoming congested, requiring the implementation of enhanced technical standards. To address the moderate to heavy usage within the GHz frequency range, coupled with the reallocation and redesignation of MHz spectrum within this range, the Department will introduce fixed two-way point-to-point backhaul services in the band Figure 2 represents the 13 GHz band plan with the associated applications and services overlaid within each particular frequency range.

The 13 GHz band now includes the two-way fixed service within the The two-way fixed service in the The In addition, the entire The Department notes that the FCC has revised its technical rules to allow fixed microwave operations within the 13 GHz band. There are direct benefits in harmonized usage, which include ease of international coordination, economies of scale and equipment ecosystems. Industry Canada recognizes that TV pick-up operations are primarily located in metropolitan, densely populated urban areas.

Given the transportable nature and "anytime" operation of these systems, the need for excessive coordination and the potential for interference would most likely occur in these urban areas. However, outside of urban areas, it is conceivable that through appropriate coordination, two-way fixed point-to-point systems can share the As such, the Department will allow the In major metropolitan and urban areas e.

As there is currently demand for point-to-point backhaul systems, the Department will permit their introduction into the frequency band Furthermore, use of these stations must be coordinated in advance to avoid harmful interference. The Department will allow fixed two-way point-to-point radio systems to be deployed in the frequency band Specific details, including sharing and protection criteria, will be established during the revision of SRSP Two-way fixed point-to-point systems may access the Although there was general support for a moratorium on the licensing of VHCM systems, it was not unanimous.

While some respondents simply had no objection or no opinion on the issue, others cited the underutilization of the band by VHCM systems across the country and the requirement to ensure adequate spectrum for new backhaul systems to support mobile broadband services as reasons for supporting the moratorium.

Conversely, Shaw objected to the moratorium, citing the need for cable systems to reach small, remote communities, noting that these communities are often in mountainous or coastal regions but can also be found in the newer "bedroom" communities developed outside major centres that have no existing communication infrastructure.

There continue to be several instances where cable carriers have no option but to provide broadcasting services to smaller communities using VHCM systems where installation of fibre facilities is neither technically nor economically feasible. Shaw proposed that the band retain its primary designation for VHCM, but that backhaul applications be permitted on a secondary basis.

Given that there has been limited licensing activity for VHCM systems in the past few years and that the majority of licensed systems are in rural areas, the Department does not see a concern with the introduction of a moratorium on new VHCM systems.

However, it does recognize that fibre is not always a viable option for cable companies that provide and expand their service into rural and remote areas. Operators may continue to deploy and expand their VHCM networks in rural and remote areas where, at the discretion of the regional and district directors, there is no demand for fixed two-way point-to-point radio. Modifications to existing VHCM systems which can be coordinated may be authorized on a case-by-case basis.

The Department will continue to allow the deployment and expansion of VHCM systems outside of urban areas. The 32 GHz band Although shared with other services on a co-primary basis in accordance with the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations and spectrum utilization policies, this band is not shared with the FSS, making it attractive for high-density applications. As noted in ECC Report , this band is used for backhaul applications by many European markets, the majority being medium- and high-capacity systems.

With higher population densities in urban areas and the ensuing densification of commercial mobile systems, shorter range high-capacity two-way backhaul systems will be required to support these networks.

Rogers expects that with the deployment of Long-Term Evolution LTE and LTE-Advanced systems, Canada will require more spectrum for short-haul high-capacity backhaul spectrum, particularly in urban areas. In the context of the current allocation, the Department consulted on whether this band should be designated for point-to-point systems and made available for backhaul and other potential applications.

Noting the growing demand and need for additional backhaul capacity, wireless service providers requested that the frequency band be made available immediately for two-way backhaul point-to-point applications. Moreover, AVIAT stressed that the Department should allow the marketplace to decide the type of applications best suited for the band, envisaging that while mobile or enterprise urban backhaul will be the primary applications in the near term, future innovative applications will be abundant.

Mobilicity foresees the band as an alternative to the highly utilized 23 GHz band, subject to equipment availability. Given the existence of standards and availability of equipment developed for the ETSI markets, the RABC and Rogers requested that the band be available for the introduction of two-way fixed services.

Furthermore, they noted that the Department should align its policy and technical rules with the European band and channelization plans i. In the light of current spectrum demand, the worldwide allocation for the FS, apart from in the United States, and use of the band in Europe, the Department agrees with the need to introduce fixed two-way point-to-point backhaul services in the band. From an equipment ecosystem viewpoint, it is recognized that modifications to established plans i.

This could potentially limit equipment availability in Canada and ultimately timely access to the band. The Department will identify technical requirements, including specific coordination and sharing considerations with other services in the band, through the development of an applicable SRSP, in consultation with the RABC.

This will also include practical measures to minimize the potential interference between stations in the FS and airborne stations in the radionavigation service, taking into account the operational needs of the airborne radar systems. The Department will designate the frequency band Designations in frequency bands are updated from time to time in order to reflect changing priorities, significant technological changes or international developments.

The following section provides an assessment of spectrum bands that were considered in the context of the consultation for the introduction of backhaul. While the Department ultimately decided to retain the current designation, there will be future opportunities to revisit the designations in these and any other frequency bands. Additionally, other services share these bands through international footnotes.

Within the FS allocation, the band MHz is designated for one-way television auxiliary services, including TV pick-up for the transmission of television programs to a television broadcast studio or to a cable television head-end, as well as for temporary TV links. TV pick-up operations are primarily located in metropolitan areas; however, they may also be rapidly deployed in other areas to cover breaking news events.

Of the nearly 1, authorizations within the band MHz , the vast majority are assigned to broadcasters for TV pick-up operations. While some of these systems are fixed, the bulk are transportable. Transportable systems are used by broadcasters to provide coverage of news events within a particular city, province or provinces.

Although broadcasters are typically only authorized to use a single frequency at a time within their defined coverage area, they are licensed for multiple frequencies to facilitate coordination with other broadcasters and fast deployment within a given area. As the band MHz is adjacent to two frequency bands MHz and MHz designated for fixed, point-to-point radio systems, the Department consulted on permitting similar systems two-way backhaul applications within this band, currently used by FSS and TV pick-up operations.

TELUS went on to explain that it would also provide for additional flexibility for long-haul links where low-frequency spectrum is required due to the utilization of passive microwave systems and active repeaters.

All respondents recognized the need to protect existing FSS and transportable TV pick-up operations in the band. Broadcasters stressed their requirement for flexibility in the coordination and rapid deployment of their TV pick-up and temporary TV operations systems given the unpredictable nature of news events.

SaskTel voiced concerns that the introduction of fixed two-way backhaul systems in this band would negatively impact the use of this band for transportable TV pick-up operations, in both urban and rural areas. As a result, Shaw does not support the introduction of two-way systems in geographic areas used by TV pick-up.

Although, in principle, the broadcast membership within the RABC did not object to the sharing of spectrum by fixed two-way point-to-point and one-way TV pick-up systems, it emphasized that the mobility and rapid response requirements of ENG preclude effective frequency coordination with non-ENG licensees operating in the same bands.

While broadcasters raised concerns regarding the introduction of two-way systems and the potential negative effect that it could have on their ability to cover breaking news events, respondents suggested potential sharing mechanisms. In particular, SaskTel, which did not support changes to allow other FS in areas with TV pick-up operations, noted in its comments that it would not object to the use of this spectrum for two-way fixed backhaul applications in rural and remote areas provided that these backhaul systems would not cause interference to existing systems.

The following were suggested measures for the protection and sharing of the band between two-way point-to-point fixed systems and existing services, including FSS and transportable TV pick-up operations:.

The RABC noted that feeder link Earth stations space-to-Earth , for non-geostationary satellite systems of the MSS, operating in the band MHz may be vulnerable to interference from terrestrial microwave stations. The operation of these systems should be considered if two-way systems are introduced into the frequency band MHz.

Broadcasters have demonstrated their need for spectrum in order to cover and report on breaking news events and deliver television auxiliary services, including TV pick-up operations. As transportable TV pick-up operations can be deployed anytime and anywhere, coordination is of a particular concern. A plurality of broadcasters operating ENG systems at the same time and in the same location further exacerbates the coordination situation.

The introduction of backhaul would limit the flexibility of broadcasters to quickly deploy and cover news events. Although these operations are primarily located in metropolitan areas, this is not always the case.

Given the limited spectrum available for broadcast operations, multiple broadcasters and the associated congestion issues, the Department is of the view that introducing backhaul into the frequency band MHz would be problematic. The Department is maintaining the existing designation and usage of the frequency MHz for one-way line-of-sight radio systems in the fixed service to provide television auxiliary services.

The 7 GHz frequency band is designated for high-, medium- and low-capacity systems, which include essential circuits that support the operation of power generating plants and high-voltage transmission lines.

The Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations and spectrum utilization policies include a primary allocation to the FS and to other services, such as the FSS space-to-Earth , meteorological-satellite space-to-Earth , and space research Earth-to-space services. The current policy for the FS in the band MHz Footnote 17 emphasizes the preferred, but not exclusive, access to two pairs of 30 MHz channels for telemetry, control and protection purposes in support of the power distribution grids by electric utilities.

Furthermore, the technical rules state that 30 MHz channels will be allowed for use by the power utilities on a preferential basis. Footnote 18 Given the demand for additional spectrum for all types of backhaul applications, one of the discussion points within the consultation was whether to make all channels available for licensing regardless of the type of application i.

The Utilities Telecom Council of Canada UTC Canada noted in its comments that the band is heavily used by electric and power utilities and critical infrastructure industries. Footnote 19 It stressed that hydro microwave networks are expanding as a result of power system growth and demand, combined with provincial modernization initiatives, including legislative mandates to provide service to rural and urban communities, and grid reliability requirements.

The RABC electric utility industry membership urged the Department to continue to provide it with preferential access to 30 MHz channels. While it was anticipated that a transition from analog to digital systems by the electric utilities would make more spectrum available, in the process of upgrading their systems to digital, multiple 30 MHz channels have been requested to accommodate growth within the industry.

CEA noted that given the inevitable growth in electricity demand and ever-increasing electricity supply, it is likely that electric utilities will make use of all 30 MHz channels, as well as the low-capacity channels in the 7 GHz band.

This sentiment was echoed by BC Hydro, which requested preferential assignment of the eight 30 MHz frequency pairs in the 7 GHz band for power utilities in British Columbia.

The RABC recommended in its comments that the preferential access to 30 MHz channels by electrical utilities be retained, as well as the continued access by other users of the band. In the opinion of the majority of respondent wireless service providers, the band, including the 30 MHz channels, should be made available for all licensees for medium- and long-haul microwave links.

That said, concerns were raised regarding congestion and the amount of spectrum available in lower frequency bands, with Shaw noting that a number of remote regions in Western Canada mainly the mountainous regions along the British Columbia coastline and Vancouver Island are highly congested in the lower frequency bands, particularly in the lower and upper portions of the 6 GHz band, as well as the 11 GHz band.

It contends that opening up the 7 GHz band for this purpose would allow carriers the opportunity to enhance their network capacity to remote regions. The inability to access all 30 MHz channels within the band was deemed by some as inefficient use and a potential detriment to broadband deployments.

Although Rogers was in favour of preferential access by electric utility companies, it did request that the Department ensure that all users of this band take advantage of new technology to maximize the efficient use of this spectrum. While the requirement for spectral efficiency was supported and echoed by many, the view regarding preferential access was not uniformly shared.

In an effort to support the development of rural broadband, while cognizant of the critical infrastructure and reliability requirements of the utility industry, the Department will retain the current policy of reserving two 30 MHz channel pairs for the preferential use by electric and power utilities.

However, in situations of spectrum congestion, access by all licensees not solely electric and power utilities to any available 30 MHz channel will be at the discretion of the regional or district directors.

The Department will retain the designation and preferential access to two 30 MHz channel pairs by electric and power utilities in the frequency band MHz. In the case of spectrum congestion, all channels will be made available for licensing regardless of the type of application, or licensees.

Diversity is used to provide equipment redundancy and improve propagation reliability. The primary diversity techniques employed by operators are frequency, space, polarization and route. While the Department generally dissuades frequency diversity, as it is not as spectrally efficient as other techniques given that it is the simultaneous transmission of the same traffic over two channels operating at different frequencies, the use of frequency diversity by systems serving telemetry, control and protection is allowed within the 7 GHz band, as per the current policy.

Utility companies noted in their responses that given their very high reliability requirement standards, compliance is difficult without the use of diversity techniques for redundancy purposes. CEA stated that electric utilities use frequency and quad diversity to meet their path availability criteria while also improving their equipment availability. In the case of hub and spoke spur links, without another medium to provide route diversity, frequency diversity provides the path diversity necessary to allow for in-service maintenance of radio equipment.

Furthermore, UTC Canada indicated that, in many instances, frequency diversity is the only feasible technique due to severe limitation imposed by technical and economic considerations e. There are many diversity techniques available other than frequency diversity, including space, polarization and route, which are more spectrally efficient. The Department encourages the use of spectrally efficient diversity techniques, where necessary, for redundancy and reliability purposes.

The Department, acknowledging the regulatory reliability requirements of the electrical utilities and that each diversity technique may not be technically feasible in every instance, will continue to permit the use of frequency diversity. Within the 7 GHz band, use of frequency diversity by systems serving telemetry, control and protection purposes is allowed, where reasonable technical justification is provided.

The FS is designated for line-of-sight radio systems conveying video signals that require a radio frequency bandwidth of up to Given the current FS allocation and designations, the Department consulted on whether this band should be opened up for point-to-point systems and be available for backhaul in light of the congestion experienced in some of the lower frequency bands. While temporary in nature, there is a requirement for quick deployment of these FSS terminals, which are usually operational for only a relatively short period of time e.

It was noted that given the portable nature of these devices, any additional coordination may present potential delays in deployment. The Canadian Space Agency has deployed RadarSat satellite networks which transmit wide-band information to transportable Earth stations within the MHz portion of the band. Broadcasters also make use of the band for one-way video distribution and note high demand in urban areas. Demand is further fuelled by the highly competitive news market covering live and breaking news events, which results in multiple licensees operating ENG systems at the same time and in the same location.

Given the transportable nature of DND and broadcast operations currently deployed i. ENG and earth stations , coordination, protection and growth of existing networks would be difficult. As the majority of DND and CSA systems are located outside of urban and metropolitan centres, one consideration would be the sharing on a geographical basis i.

The Department is also cognizant of the Earth exploration-satellite service allocation within the band and its protection. Another option considered was the introduction of backhaul within the band MHz; however, this was deemed ineffective due to the relatively small amount of spectrum available within the band and requests for large bandwidths e. Although there is a general need for spectrum designated for backhaul below 13 GHz and support for the introduction of two-way systems by wireless service providers, the protection and continued growth of existing DND and Canadian Space Agency systems is imperative.

With the complex usage within the band and the other frequency bands available for backhaul in this general spectrum range e. The Department is maintaining the existing designation and usage of the frequency band MHz.

The above-noted frequency range is allocated in on a co-primary basis to the FS and the FSS Earth-to-space , the broadcasting and broadcasting-satellite services Other services share the band on a secondary basis in accordance with the CTFA and spectrum utilization policies.

In , in an effort to relieve congestion within the 38 GHz band, point-to-point links for backhaul were introduced into the 42 GHz band, once exclusively designated for Multimedia Wireless Systems MWS in Europe.

Footnote 20 Within the This spectrum six blocks was auctioned in the United Kingdom in Given the use of the band in Europe for backhaul applications, the Department consulted on whether this band should also be available for such use in Canada.

There is strong interest in this band by wireless service providers for the immediate deployment of fixed systems, specifically for short-haul high-capacity backhaul systems to support LTE and LTE-Advanced mobile broadband networks.