Notice No. DGTP-009-01

Industry Canada

November 21, 2001 - Industry Canada hereby announces that the deadline of December 11, 2001, for submissions in response to Canada Gazette Notice No. DGTP-009-01, has been extended to December 28, 2001, and that the December 28, 2001 deadline for the submission of reply comments on the initial submissions has been extended to January 13, 2002.

Gazette Notice No. DGTP-009-01 — Consultation on an Application to Use Mobile Satellite Spectrum to Provide Complementary Terrestrial Mobile Service to Improve Satellite Coverage

Radiocommunication Act

The Department has received an application from TMI Communications and Company, Limited Parternship (TMI) for approval of a joint venture with an Motient corporation, an American corporation, to develop and operate a new generation of multi-beam mobile satellites using part of the L-band (1525-1559/1626.5-1660.5 MHz) to replace the MSAT satellite. This notice announces the release of a consultation paper inviting comments on a particular aspect of TMI’s application, namely the proposal to deploy a digital terrestrial mobile service, as in-fill or complementary service, to the mobile satellite service.

The terrestrial component, which would be implemented in conjunction with the deployment of the next generation of satellites, would extend the service in urban areas where the satellite coverage may be blocked by high-rise buildings. The first of two satellites is planned to be in operation in about four years after the approvals have been granted by the Canadian and American regulators.

Invitation to Comment

The Department of Industry invites submissions, preferably in electronic format, from all interested parties on the issues raised for comments in the consultation paper. This Notice is available electronically at the following address:

World Wide Web (WWW)
http://strategis.gc.ca/spectrum

or can be obtained in hard copy, for a fee from:

Tyrell Press Ltd.
2714 Fenton Road
Gloucester, Ontario K1T 3T7
Email: sales1@tyrellpress.ca
1-800-267-4862 (Canada toll-free telephone)
1-800-574-0137 (United States toll-free telephone)
(613) 822-0740 (Worldwide telephone)
(613) 822-1089 (Facsimile)

and

DLS, St. Joseph Print Group
45 Sacré-Coeur Boulevard
Hull, Quebec K1A 0S7
1-888-562-5561 (Canada toll-free telephone)
1-800-565-7757 (Canada toll-free facsimile)
(819) 779-4335 (Worldwide telephone)
(819) 779-2833 (Worldwide facsimile)

Respondents are strongly encouraged to provide their comments in electronic format (WordPerfect, microsoft Word, Adobe PDF or ASCII TXT) to facilitate posting on the Department’s Web site. Documents submitted should be sent with a note specifying the software, version number and operating system used. All comments should make reference to "Comments - Gazette Notice DGTP-009-01" at the following Internet address: Wireless@ic.gc.ca.

Written submissions should be addressed to the Director General, Telecommunications Policy Branch, Industry Canada, 300 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C8. All representations should cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, publication date, the title, and the Notice reference number (DGTP-009-01). To ensure there is time to consider all comments, submissions should be received no later than December 11, 2001.

Shortly after the close of the comment period, all comments received in response to this Notice will be posted on Industry Canada’s Spectrum Web site: (http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/spectrum).

Reply comments on these initial submissions will then be invited and should be sent to the Internet address Wireless@ic.gc.ca no later than December 28, 2001. Reply comments will also be made available to the public via Industry Canada’s Web site. All submissions must cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, publication date, the title and the Notice reference number (DGTP-009-01). Submissions can also be submitted to the Director by mail at: 300 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C8.

October 19, 2001

Michael Helm
Director General
Telecommunications Policy Branch