What’s New
Get the latest updates on Canada’s radio-frequency spectrum: policy news, technical standards, consultations and more.
ISED Client Procedures Circular, CPC-4-1-01, issue 2,– Application Procedures for White Space Database Administrators (WSDBAs)
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of CPC-4-1-01, issue 2, “Application Procedures for White Space Database Administrators (WSDBAs)”. This document outlines procedures to be followed by applicants who wish to be considered for designation by ISED to become white space database administrators (WSDBAs)
ISED Database Specification, DBS-01, issue 4,– White Space Databases (WSDB)
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of DBS-01, issue 4, “White Space Databases (WSDB)”. This document sets out the technical requirements for the designation of a database capable of identifying available channels for use by white space devices (WSDs) in the white space frequency bands (54-72 MHz, 76-88 MHz, 174-216 MHz, 470-608 MHz and 657-663 MHz).
ISED Radio Standards Specification, RSS-222, issue 4,– White Space Devices (WSDs)
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of RSS-222, issue 4, “White Space Devices (WSDs)”. This standard sets out the certification requirements for license-exempt, radio apparatus operating in the frequency bands 54-72 MHz, 76-88 MHz, 174-216 MHz, 470-608 MHz and 657-663 MHz, known as white space devices (WSDs).
ISED Radio Standard Specification, RSS-216, issue 3 (April 2024 draft) – Wireless power transfer devices.
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the following consultation: RSS-216, issue 3, “Wireless power transfer devices”. This standard sets out the requirements applicable to wireless power transfer devices, including sources (transmitters) and clients (receivers). Changes from issue 2 include: increased maximum separation distance; included limits in RSS-216 instead of referring to ICES-001, plus limits above 1 GHz; adoption of ANSI C63.30-2021; other clarifications and general editorial updates.
ISED Radio Standards Specification, RSS-123, issue 5, Wireless Microphones and Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of RSS-123, issue 5, “Wireless Microphones and Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems”. This Radio Standards Specification (RSS) sets out the requirements for the certification of licensed wireless microphones and Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS).
ISED Standard Radio System Plan, SRSP-500, issue 2 (draft), Technical Requirements for Land Mobile and Fixed Radio Services Operating in the Bands 138-144 MHz and 148-174 MHz
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of SRSP-500, issue 2 (draft), “Technical Requirements for Land Mobile and Fixed Radio Services Operating in the Bands 138-144 MHz and 148-174 MHz”.
SRSP-500 issue 2 sets forth the minimum technical requirements for the purpose of efficient spectrum utilization for land mobile and fixed point-to-point systems operating in the Very High Frequency (VHF) bands 138-144 and 148-174 MHz.
The latest edition of the newsletter is available.
Please enjoy the new format and latest edition of our newsletter. The latest news on spectrum management, technical standards, key issues and RABC meetings and activities.
ISED Standard Radio System plan, SRSP-510, issue 6, Technical Requirements for Personal Communications Services in the Bands 1850-1915 MHz and 1930 1995 MHz
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of SRSP-510, issue 6, “Technical Requirements for Personal Communications Services in the Bands 1850-1915 MHz and 1930-1995 MHz”. This Standard Radio System Plan (SRSP) sets out the minimum technical requirements for the efficient use of the bands 1850-1915 MHz and 1930-1995 MHz by personal communications services (PCS).
ISED Radio Standards Specification, RSS-133, issue 7, Personal Communications Service Equipment Operating in the Bands 1850-1915 MHz and 1930-1995 MHz
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of RSS-133, issue 7, “Personal Communications Service Equipment Operating in the Bands 1850-1915 MHz and 1930-1995 MHz”. This standard sets out the requirements for certification for Personal Communications Service (PCS) equipment operating in the bands 1850-1915 MHz and 1930-1995 MHz.
ISED Radio Standards Specification, RSS-210, issue 11, February 2024 – Licence-Exempt Radio Apparatus: Category I Equipment
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of RSS-210, issue 11, February 2024 – “Licence-Exempt Radio Apparatus: Category I Equipment”. This standard sets out the certification requirements for several types of licence-exempt radio apparatus.
ISED Standard Radio System Plan, SRSP-506, issue 3 (draft), Technical Requirements for Land Mobile and Fixed Radio Services, Including Broadband Systems, Operating in the Bands 896-901 MHz and 935-940 MHz
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of SRSP-506, issue 3 (draft), “Technical Requirements for Land Mobile and Fixed Radio Services, Including Broadband Systems, Operating in the Bands 896-901 MHz and 935-940 MHz”. SRSP-506 issue 3 sets forth the minimum technical requirements for the purpose of efficient spectrum utilization for land mobile and fixed point-to-point systems (narrowband systems), operating in the bands 896-901MHz and 935-940 MHz, as well as broadband systems in rural and remote areas in the bands 897.5-900.5 MHz and 936.5-939.5 MHz.
ISED Radio Standards Specification, RSS-295, issue 1, Licence-Exempt Radio Apparatus Operating in the Frequency Bands 116-123 GHz, 174.8-182 GHz, 185-190 GHz and 244-246 GHz
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the consultation of RSS-295, issue 1, “Licence-Exempt Radio Apparatus Operating in the Frequency Bands 116-123 GHz, 174.8-182 GHz, 185-190 GHz and 244-246 GHz”. This standard sets out the requirements for certification for license-exempt devices operating in the frequency bands 116-123 GHz, 174.8-182 GHz, 185-190 GHz and 244-246 GHz.
REC-LAB, Issue 8, December 2023 – Procedure for the Recognition of Testing Laboratories to Test/Assess to Canadian requirements; and Testing laboratory technical assessment checklist (Issue 2)
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the following consultations:
1) REC-LAB, issue 8, “Procedure for the Recognition of Testing Laboratories to Test/Assess to Canadian requirements” specifies the criteria and procedure for the recognition by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) of testing laboratories, either Canadian or foreign, to test/assess to Canadian requirements for telecommunications terminal equipment, radio apparatus and broadcasting equipment standards.
2) Testing laboratory technical assessment checklist (Issue 2) specifies items to be evaluated during the assessment of test laboratories by a recognized accreditation body.
REC-CB, Issue 2, December 2023 – Recognition Procedure and Requirements for Certification Bodies
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the following consultation: REC-CB, issue 2, “Recognition Procedure and Requirements for Certification Bodies” specifies the recognition criteria and procedures used by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) in the recognition of Canadian and foreign entities as certification bodies (CBs), under the terms of Mutual Recognition Agreements/Arrangements (MRAs) or any other equivalent agreement or arrangement, to certify products to Canadian regulatory requirements.
ISED Radio Standards Specification, RSS-287, issue 3, November 2023 – 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, issue 3, November 2023 – “Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT), Personal Locator Beacons (PLB), and Maritime Survivor Locator Devices (MSLD)”.
New Standing Committee Created
In June the Board created the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Committee to provide advice on matters regarding current and future spectrum requirements of UAV’s applications. The Board then sought volunteers to Chair the new committee. This month, Martin McCulloch (Waterloo Regional Police Service/Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police) was appointed Chair of the UAV Committee. Martin is a Transport Canada licenced (advanced) RPAS Pilot and Flight Reviewer for issuing licences.
A kick-off meeting is planned for November. It is anticipated the committee will perform a comprehensive review of available technical and non-technical information pertaining to the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (PAS) market, including radio frequencies used, spectrum management approaches, market size, use cases and regulatory issues. The information review could also be enhanced to include recommendations to ISED on ways to move forward in assisting to the development of spectrum and technical regulations for the use of UAVs in Canada. It is anticipated that ISED will issue a consultation regarding frequencies used by UAVs.
DGSO-003-23 Consultation on Amending CPC-2-0-20 — Radio Frequency (RF) Fields—Signs and Access Control
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), on behalf of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (the Minister), is hereby initiating a consultation on proposed amendments to Client Procedures Circular CPC-2-0-20, issue 1, Radio Frequency (RF) Fields – Signs and Access Control.
RABC Newsletter October 2023
Please enjoy the new format and latest edition of our newsletter. The latest news on spectrum management, technical standards, key issues and RABC meetings and activities.
RABC Industry Achievement Award
The 2023 Laureate is José Costa. José Costa’s career spans more than 45 years in the telecommunications industry. He received the Titles of Industrial Engineer (Electronics) and Dr. Industrial Engineer from the Universidad Politécnica de Barcelona, Spain, in 1971 and 1984, respectively, and the M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1973 and 1982, respectively.
2023 Scholarship Winners are Harvinder Lethal and Zoe Devries
The 2023 winners of the William Taylor Scholarship in Radiocommunications are Harvinder Lethal and Zoe Deveries. Congratulations to both of them.