OTTAWA — With the federal government’s consultation on repurposing the 3800 MHz spectrum band officially underway, Canadian satellite operator Telesat said Tuesday in a press release it welcomes the inclusion of Telesat’s proposal for reallocating the mid-band spectrum for 5G service use in the ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development’s consultation document.
Last Thursday, ISED Canada opened its consultation on repurposing 3800 MHz spectrum (also known as C-band spectrum, historically used by satellite providers), and released a 68-page consultation paper which included Telesat’s proposed approach to clear 400 MHz of spectrum in the 3650-4200 MHz band (referred to as the 3800 MHz band) so it can be used for 5G services.
Currently, the 3800 MHz band is used for not only fixed satellite services (FSS), and some fixed point-to-point links, but also wireless broadband service, primarily in rural and remote communities. The main FSS use is for satellite-based distribution of broadcast programming but also for connectivity in remote areas where fibre or terrestrial wireless connections are not feasible.
Telesat is the only satellite operator licensed to use 3800MHz spectrum in Canada, and it says its proposal “is the only plan that ensures that sufficient mid-band spectrum is made available on an expedited basis to Canadian wireless operators, providing strong support to achieving the Government’s objective of improved wireless affordability.”
Its press release goes on to say: “Telesat will ensure that the vital, mission-critical satellite services that must be relocated to clear the 3800 MHz band for 5G use will be transitioned to other satellite facilities at no cost and without interruption to the current users.”
What Telesat is proposing is a two-phased approach: First it will clear 200 MHz of spectrum (3700-3900 MHz band) by 2021, on the same timeline as the 3500 MHz clearing process already set out; then it will facilitate clearing an additional 200 MHz of spectrum (3900-4100 MHz band) by December 2025. The 4100-4200 MHz band would remain available for satellite services.
For the first stage of its plan, Telesat is asking ISED to repurpose the 3700-3900 MHz band for flexible use and grant Telesat flexible use licences for this 200 MHz of spectrum. Telesat will then take responsibility for clearing this portion of the band from incumbent users and would then make its flexible use licences available to other licensees (i.e., wireless carriers) in the secondary market, instead of via an ISED licensing process.
In the case of the 3900-4100 MHz band, Telesat proposes that once that 200 MHz of spectrum is cleared the converted spectrum band would be returned to ISED for a future auction licensing process.
In order to free up spectrum while protecting the continuity of service to current users of the 3800 MHz spectrum band, Telesat says it will invest in new facilities and satellites, particularly its low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. Telesat is proposing to use the net proceeds from its sale of the 3700-3900 MHz spectrum licences to invest in its new LEO satellites and facilities.
“Telesat’s proposal to clear 3800 MHz spectrum is the only actionable path to rapidly deploy true 5G service in Canada and to connect rural and remote Canadian communities with fast, affordable broadband, something we can achieve with the state-of-the-art Telesat LEO satellite constellation,” said Dan Goldberg, Telesat’s president and CEO, in the company’s press release. “In this regard, Telesat’s proposal will bring tremendous economic benefits and job creation to Canada through 5G and the fast-growing, export-driven New Space economy at a time when affordable, universal broadband connectivity and economic growth have never been more important. We welcome industry comments on our proposal and the opportunity to demonstrate how our proposed approach is in the best interests of all Canadians.”
To access Telesat’s proposal for clearing and repurposing the 3800 MHz spectrum band, first submitted to ISED in July, please click here.
Please click here for ISED’s consultation page. Comments are due by October 26, 2020.
