Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) announced Tuesday it will begin accepting applications for spectrum licences in the 3900-3980 MHz band under the Non-Competitive Local Licensing (NCLL) framework starting on May 14.
NCLL is designed to simplify the spectrum licensing process for small operators and businesses to provide them with easy access to 5G wireless services. Licence applicants are expected to apply only for their specific, localized area of interest.
Use cases for NCLL might include adding targeted capacity for fixed wireless access systems in rural, remote and northern communities, including indigenous communities; private broadband networks on enterprise campuses, including universities, colleges, stadiums, shopping centres and office buildings; and private networks to support vertical industrial uses, including automation, in industries such as agriculture, manufacturing and mining.
In its May 2023 decision to make spectrum licences in the 3900 MHz band available under the NCLL framework, ISED said it would adopt a first-come, first-served (FCFS) spectrum licensing approach for NCLL. ISED has reserved a portion of the 3900 MHz band, from 3940-3980 MHz, for use by small operators including small commercial mobile service providers, non-traditional users and WISPs (wireless internet service providers). Operators with 100,000 or more retail mobile subscribers will be ineligible to hold non-competitive local licences for blocks in the 3940-3980 MHz portion of the band. In addition, ISED is implementing a spectrum limit of 20 MHz per licensee within any geographic area.
In general, renewable licences under the NCLL framework will be granted for one year, with licences expiring and renewable on March 31 each year.
Photo via SaskTel
