Gazette Notice DGTP-011-06

Department of Industry

Radiocommunication Act

Notice No. DGTP-011-06 - Consultation on Air-to-Ground Services in the Bands 849-851 MHz and 894-896 MHz

The intent of this notice is to initiate public consultation on proposed changes to Industry Canada's policy on the use of the bands 849-851 MHz and
894-896 MHz for Air-to-Ground Services through the release of the
above-mentioned document.

Discussion

The bands 849-851 MHz and 894-896 MHz have been used to provide Air-to-Ground Public Telephone Services such as two-way voice, fax and data on board aircraft. The designation of this spectrum is harmonized regionally to allow the provision of the service across North American airspace.

The conditions of operation in these bands have recently been modified in the U.S. to facilitate the provision of new enhanced Air-to-Ground Services such as broadband Internet access. This consultation provides an opportunity for comments on the future of this band pair in Canada, including designation, band plan, technical characteristics, and licensing information.

Submitting Comments

Respondents are requested to provide their comments, within 60 days of the publication of this notice, in electronic format (WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF or ASCII TXT) to the following e-mail address: wireless@ic.gc.ca, along with a note specifying the software, version number and operating system used.

Written submissions should be addressed to the Director General, Telecommunications Policy Branch, Industry Canada, 300 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C8.

All submissions should cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, publication date, the title, and the notice reference number (DGTP-011-06).

Obtaining Copies

Copies of this notice and documents referred to are available electronically on the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website at: http://strategis.gc.ca/spectrum.

Official versions of Canada Gazette notices can be viewed on the Canada Gazette website at: http://canadagazette.gc.ca/publication-e.html. Printed copies of the notices can be ordered by calling the sales counter of Canadian Government Publishing at (819) 941-5995 or 1 800 635-7943.

October 20, 2006

___________________________
Leonard St-Aubin
A/Director General
Telecommunications Policy Branch
Industry Canada