OTTAWA – Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, last week announced the launch of a consultation on a policy and licensing framework for the auction of spectrum licences in the 26, 28 and 38 GHz bands, which are key for 5G wireless networks.
The government is making “large amounts of high-frequency spectrum available to encourage the effective deployment of 5G technologies,” according to a press release.
The mmWave Licensing Framework Consultation seeks comments on several proposed measures intended to promote competition and foster innovation – as well as ensure spectrum is used by service providers in a timely manner.
The consultation document indicates ISED is more specifically looking for comments on pro-competitive measures, including the potential use of set-aside spectrum (ISED is proposing 800 MHz of set-aside spectrum across the 26/28 GHz and 38 GHz bands) or a spectrum cap (800 MHz cap across the 26/28 GHz and 38 GHz bands).
ISED is also looking for comments on conditions of licence it has proposed for flexible use spectrum licences in the 26, 28 and 38 GHz bands, including a 10-year term for such licences.
The department is further proposing that in the event set-aside spectrum is used, “transfers of mmWave spectrum will not be permitted where they will result in a set-aside-ineligible entity obtaining a set-aside spectrum licence for the first five years of the licence term,” the consultation document says.
Additionally, if spectrum caps are used, ISED is proposing “for the first five years of the licence term, a licence is not transferable where the Transfer would be contrary to the Spectrum Aggregation Limit established in the framework,” the document says. Two proposed exceptions are under spectrum sharing agreements that meet specific requirements and if there is an exchange of equal amounts of spectrum from the 26, 28 and 38 GHz bands.
ISED is also looking for comments on the auction format and rules, the auction process and licensing processes, including a proposal to make additional spectrum from the three bands available through a future non-competitive licensing process, which would support both new and non-traditional users.
The mmWave Licensing Framework Consultation follows a 2019 repurposing decision “and is the next major step in the lead-up to a mmWave spectrum auction planned for 2024,” the press release announcing the launch of the consultation says.
“Our government recognizes that high-quality telecommunication services are crucial in the everyday lives of Canadians,” Champagne said in the release. “That’s why we are continuing to make more spectrum available, with the right rules in place to improve competition, innovation and affordability in the industry. We are excited to hear how this spectrum can be put to good use to create innovative 5G applications to benefit Canadians.”
The closing date for comments is Sept. 6, 2022, while the closing date for replies is Oct. 7, 2022.
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