Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) last week announced details of an upcoming auction of residual spectrum licences.
In total, 225 unallocated licences will be available in this auction, including one 600 MHz licence (Tier 2) in Newfoundland and Labrador, two 600 MHz licences (Tier 4) in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, three 2300 MHz licences (Tier 4) in Northern Quebec, Saskatchewan and Nunavut, 18 3500 MHz licences (Tier 4) in Northern Ontario, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon, and 201 3800 MHz (Tier 4) licences in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.
Licences in the 3800 MHz band were auctioned in November 2023, and the 201 licences in that band being made available in the upcoming auction are those that remained unallocated at the conclusion of the November auction, ISED explains in its notice of the residual spectrum auction.
ISED notes some licences in the 3800 MHz band are encumbered by fixed satellite service earth stations that have been permitted to continue operating in satellite-dependent areas. In areas where more than 10 per cent of the population is affected, two categories of licences were offered: “unencumbered” and “encumbered”.
ISED has announced key dates for the upcoming auction. Clarification questions from interested parties are due by April 15, and ISED will publish responses to questions on May 7.
The deadline for applications to participate in the auction and for the full pre-auction financial deposit is 12 p.m. EDT on June 4.
ISED will publish the list of applicants, beneficial ownership, affiliates and associated entities information within four business days of the June 4 application deadline. On June 20, the final list of qualified bidders will be published and auction documentation will be sent to qualified bidders.
The sealed bid deadline for the allocation stage is 12 p.m. EDT on July 16, while the sealed bid deadline for the assignment stage is 12 p.m. EDT on July 19.
ISED says it will announce the provisional licence winners on July 25.
An initial payment (20 per cent of the total final payment) will be due by 12 p.m. EDT on Aug. 9. The final payment (the remaining 80 per cent of the total) is due by 12 p.m. EDT on Sept. 11, at which time ISED will issue the licences.
ISED says time frames for the auction process may be updated from time to time.
Residual spectrum licences are defined as spectrum licences that remain unallocated at the conclusion of an auction process, licences that have not been renewed, licences that were previously assigned but have been cancelled by ISED, and licences that have been returned to ISED by a licensee prior to the end of the licence term.
Screenshot of Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne
