OTTAWA – After eight years of laying fallow and failed efforts to license high-capacity broadband wireless spectrum in the 28 GHz range, Industry Canada is again proposing to offer licences in this band. But this time around, the department is taking steps to ensure that the spectrum is put to use.
The 28 GHz band was first licensed in 1996, but little deployment ensued. All of the spectrum was eventually returned to the department in 2002. Given past experience with this particular band and the desire to make sure the spectrum is used, Industry Canada is proposing to attach several conditions to licensing process.
For example, blocks of spectrum will be licensed on an “as needed” basis; spectrum must be put into use within six months of receiving the licence; and multiple blocks covering large portions of a province will not be considered (below is a complete list of the licensing principles).
In DGTP 002-10, the department has proposed to license the 2100 MHz bandwidth on a first-come, first-served (FCFS) basis rather than through a competitive process such as an auction or a comparative review. “The department is of the view that the FCFS approach in the bands 25.25-26.5 GHz and 27.5-28.35 GHz is appropriate at this time given that demand is not anticipated to exceed supply,” Industry Canada states in the consultation document.
The department is considering two band plans with both proposing paired licences of 28 MHz each. There are slight differences to the lower part of the band in each option, but the upper part of the band would be the same in both plans (see pages 5 and 6 of the consultation document for more details).
Industry Canada is also contemplating two licensing approaches: spectrum licences or station licences. The spectrum licence would cover a geographic area, while a station licence is specific to each radio station deployed.
As opposed to previous spectrum licensing, Industry Canada is looking at offering licences on a user-defined geographic basis. Rather than have the department set the specific coverage area such as the city or town and surrounding area, the licence proponent would suggest an area that meets its needs. These user-defined service areas would still have to follow standard geographic coordinates, though.
Comments on the consultation are due July 28.
Licensing principles
(a) Assignments of blocks will be on an “as needed” basis. Licensees will be required to demonstrate their need for spectrum for each request.
(b) A second block will only be assigned to a licensee in the same service area when the original block assignment cannot be reused.
(c) Assignments will be brought into service within a period not greater than six months from receipt of an approval-in-principle/licence.
(d) A licensee will be assigned the same frequency blocks, to the extent possible, in all authorized service areas.
(e) Requests for wide area authorization, for example, large regions of a province, will not be considered.
(f) Point-to-point systems may have shared access where it is determined that their usage requirements are low.
(g) Should demand exceed supply in a particular area, the Department reserves the right to review the use and consider a competitive process at any time.
