OTTAWA – Innovation Canada decided Wednesday on the parameters for its framework that will allow certain 5G spectrum bands to be allocated for use in local and small-scale applications without the need for users to go through a competitive auction process to obtain them.
The department launched a consultation last summer to determine how it should go about dedicating spectrum in the 3900 to 3980 MHz band and parts of the 26, 28 and 38 GHz bands for a non-competitive licensing framework, which it said would go to benefit various local sectors and innovations, including real-time monitoring of farming and mining operations and private broadband networks in universities, stadiums and shopping centres. The department said it is especially interested in rural, remote and indigenous communities.
On Wednesday, the department confirmed the details of how the framework would operate. It said it is adopting a first-come first-served first served (FCFS) model, in which spectrum sharing is managed by the department and provides for a specified level of interference protection to licensed operations in adjacent spectrum bands. It noted that a disadvantage is the system does not maximize the number of operators as an all-come all-served system, which would not provide the same level of interference protection and was also considered as part of its consultation.
The FCFS model was supported by major telecoms including Rogers, Bell, Telus, and TekSavvy, citing those interference protections. The Canadian Wireless Internet Service Providers association, however, expressed concern that such a model will not give operators the flexibility to expand and evolve their networks in response to changing tech and consumer demand.
The department had considered the use of a dynamic spectrum access model, a machine-based spectrum sharing system that assigns frequencies based on immediate availability and need. It said that the use of some automated process under the FCFS system could facilitate a future with a dynamic spectrum system, and the FCFS system’s adoption now should not be assumed to preclude that other system’s use in the future.
“In addition to facilitating access to new and non-traditional users, releasing this spectrum though an NCL licensing framework may support the development of 5G services by existing users, and may enable wireless broadband services and wireless Internet service providers (WISPs) to bolster connectivity in various regions across the country,” the consultation decision said.
“More and more Indigenous service providers, business and communities in Canada are taking an interest in access to spectrum,” the decision added. “In remote Indigenous communities, access to spectrum can have crucial benefits to accelerating broadband connectivity, establishing reliable cell service, improving access to emergency response services, building economic resiliency amongst Indigenous-led businesses and facilitating the participation and connectedness of remote Indigenous communities with the rest of Canada. A NCL licensing framework can provide access to spectrum to support Indigenous connectivity.”
