SPECTRUM: New rules for the 3500 MHz spectrum licences include urban, rural designations

OTTAWA – Industry Canada released its Consultation on 3500 MHz Licensing Approach Tuesday which includes a ‘first-come, first-served’ licensing process for rural broadband service providers.In keeping with the government's "use-it-or-lose-it" policy announced last November, where 3500 MHz licences would only be renewed where all conditions of licence have been met, including deployment, Industry Minister James Moore has proposed that 3500 MHz licence areas be designated as either "urban" or "rural" to support their differing requirements.In rural areas, the government is now consulting on a new licensing process for fixed wireless services (broadband Internet to the home) and proposes a first-come, first-served licensing approach....