What’s New at RABC-CCCR
What’s New on Canada’s Radio-Frequency Spectrum: Policy News, Technical Standards, Consultations and More.
Sponsorship Opportunities – CITEL PCC.II – August 30 – September 3, 2027, Ottawa
Canada is planning to host a meeting of the Permanent Consultative Committee II (PCC.II) of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) from August 30 to September 3, 2027. The meeting would be held at the Rogers Centre in downtown Ottawa and would be the final PCC.II meeting before the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27). In order to ensure that Canada is able to successfully host, it is critical that we receive expressions of interest from organizations to participate as sponsors as soon as possible.
ISED Radio Standards Specification, RSS-288, issue 2 – Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of RSS-288, issue 2 “Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)”. This standard sets out the requirements for certification of shipborne radiocommunication equipment which meets the requirements of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in the medium frequency (MF), high frequency (HF), and 9.2-9.5 GHz bands.
ISED Radio Standards Specification, RSS-287, issue 4 — Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT), Personal Locator Beacons (PLB), and Maritime Survivor Locator Devices (MSLD)
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of RSS-287 — “Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT), Personal Locator Beacons (PLB), and Maritime Survivor Locator Devices (MSLD)”. This RSS document sets out the requirements for certification of EPIRBs which are for carriage on ships, ELTs which are for carriage on aircraft, PLBs which are for use by persons, and MSLDs which are devices worn on a person while aboard a vessel.
Consultation on the Policy, Technical and Licensing Framework for the VHF Maritime Frequency Bands
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of the following policy, technical and licensing framework document: SMSE-010-25 – Consultation on the Policy, Technical and Licensing Framework for the VHF Maritime Frequency Bands.
2025 Scholarship Winners are Mateo Zane and Nicholas Ashfield
The 2023 winners of the William Taylor Scholarship in Radiocommunications are Harvinder Lethal and Zoe Deveries. Congratulations to both of them.
The 2025 Industry Achievement Award goes to Jean-Yves Bernard
The 2025 Industry Achievement Award goes to Jean-Yves Bernard
BETS-6, draft issue 3 – Technical Standards and Requirements for FM Broadcasting Transmitters
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the following Broadcasting Equipment Technical Standard: BETS-6, draft issue 3 – Technical Standards and Requirements for FM Broadcasting Transmitters. BETS-6, issue 3, establishes the technical standards and requirements for certification applicable to analog FM transmitters operating within the 88-108 MHz band.
RSS-195, issue 3, Wireless Communication Service Equipment Operating in the Bands 2305-2320 MHz and 2345-2360 MHz and SPSP-516, issue 2, Technical Requirements for Wireless Communications Services (WCS) in the Bands 2305-2320 MHz and 2345-2360 MHz
RSS-195, issue 3, Wireless Communication Service Equipment Operating in the Bands 2305-2320 MHz and 2345-2360 MHz and SPSP-516, issue 2, Technical Requirements for Wireless Communications Services (WCS) in the Bands 2305-2320 MHz and 2345-2360 MHz
SRSP-300-Gen, issue 2, General Technical Requirements for Fixed Radio Systems Operating in Frequency Bands above 960 MHz and SRSP-301.7, Issue 5 , Technical Requirements for Fixed Radio Systems Operating in the Bands 1700-1710 MHz and 1780-1850 MHz
SRSP-300-Gen, issue 2, General Technical Requirements for Fixed Radio Systems Operating in Frequency Bands above 960 MHz and SRSP-301.7, Issue 5 , Technical Requirements for Fixed Radio Systems Operating in the Bands 1700-1710 MHz and 1780-1850 MHz
ISED Radio Standards Specification, RSS-252, issue 3 – Intelligent Transportation Systems’ (ITS) On-Board Units (OBUs) in the 5895 – 5925 MHz Band
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of RSS-252, issue 3 “Intelligent Transportation Systems’ (ITS) On-Board Units (OBUs) in the 5895 – 5925 MHz Band”. This standard sets out the requirements for certification of licence-exempt on-board units (OBUs), operating cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) in the 5895-5925 MHz frequency band and intended for use in intelligent transportation system (ITS) applications.
SRSP-512, draft issue 2 – Technical Requirements for Land Mobile and Fixed Radio Services Operating in the Band 220–222 MHz
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the following technical standard: SRSP-512 issue 2 (draft) – Technical Requirements for Land Mobile and Fixed Radio Services Operating in the Band 220–222 MHz. SRSP-512, issue 2, states the minimum technical requirements for the purpose of efficient spectrum utilization for land mobile and multipoint communications systems operating in the band 220-222 MHz.
SMSE-007-25 Consultation on the Policy, Technical and Licensing Framework for the Use of the Frequency Bands 21.2–21.8 GHz and 22.4–23.0 GHz by Fixed Services
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), on behalf of the Minister of Industry (the Minister), is hereby initiating a consultation on a policy, technical and licensing framework for the bands 21.2–21.8 GHz and 22.4–23 GHz to accommodate the fixed service in order to increase backhaul capacity.
BPR-10 issue 3 (draft) – Application Procedures and Rules for Digital Television (DTV) Broadcasting Undertakings
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the following broadcasting standard: BPR-10 issue 3 (draft) – Application Procedures and Rules for Digital Television (DTV) Broadcasting Undertakings.
BPR-10 issue 3 (draft) outlines the application procedures for broadcasting undertakings seeking to acquire a broadcasting certificate to operate a digital television station. The document also specifies technical and operational requirements.
SRSP-102, Band-Specific Technical Requirements for Earth Stations in the Fixed-Satellite Service
Standard Radio System Plan SRSP-102, Band-Specific Technical Requirements for Earth Stations in the Fixed-Satellite Service, issue 2, replaces SRSP-102, Band-Specific Technical Requirements for Earth Stations in the Fixed-Satellite Service, issue 1, dated August 2023.
The following are the main changes:
1. The addition of annex B, following the publication of SPB-001-25, Addendum to the Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework to include Spectrum in the 27.5-28.35 GHz Band , describing the technical requirements for earth stations operating in the 27.5-28.35 GHz band.
2. References to other applicable documents have been updated.
3. Editorial changes and clarifications have been made, as appropriate.
Consultation on the 26 GHz and 38 GHz Bands
ISED is initiating a consultation on the repurposing of the lower portion of the 26 GHz band (24.25-26.5 GHz) to flexible use.
In addition, this document is an addendum to the consultation entitled SPB-001-22, Consultation on a Policy and Licensing Framework for Spectrum in the 26, 28 and 38 GHz Bands (the 2022 Consultation) to change the proposed spectrum available for future mmWave auction and non-competitive local (NCL) licensing processes.
ISED consultation on technical and operational requirements in the mmWave band
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of the following technical and operational requirements in the mmWave band:
RSS-193, Issue 1 – Flexible Use Broadband Equipment Operating in the Band 27.5-28.35 GHz
RSS-102.IPD.MEAS, Issue 2 – Measurement Procedure for Assessing Incident Power Density (IPD) Compliance in Accordance with RSS-102
RSS-102.IPD.SIM, Issue 2 – Simulation Procedure for Assessing Incident Power Density (IPD) Compliance in Accordance with RSS-102
SRSP-522, Issue 1 – Technical Requirements for Non-Competitive Local Licensed Systems, including Fixed and/or Mobile Systems, and Flexible Use Broadband Systems, in the Band 27.5-28.35 GHz
SRSP-103, draft issue 1, Technical Requirements for Space Stations providing Supplemental Mobile Coverage by Satellite
ISED has requested RABC review the draft first issue of Standard Radio System Plan (RSS-103). Technical Requirements for Space Stations providing Supplemental Mobile Coverage by Satellite, specifies the technical requirements for efficient use of space stations to provide supplemental terrestrial coverage based on the Decision on a Policy, Licensing and Technical Framework for Supplemental Mobile Coverage by Satellite. This SRSP specifies system characteristics relating to efficient spectrum usage only and is not to be regarded as a comprehensive specification for equipment design and/or selection. The SRSP does not apply to SMCS user equipment. Instead, such equipment must comply with the provisions of the Radio Standards Specifications (RSSs) and SRSPs corresponding to the relevant bands of operation.