About Us - Spectrum Management and Telecommunications

The Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Sector (S/T) of Industry Canada facilitates access to the radio frequency spectrum by issuing authorities for its use, securing Canada's access to it through international negotiations and by ensuring its continued health, in Canada, through the preparation and enforcement of standards. Three of the sector's branches share this responsibility with the regional and district spectrum offices of the Operations Sector.

The Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulatory Branch (DGRB) provides national leadership and program direction for the delivery of the Spectrum/Telecom Program across Canada. Under the authority of the Radiocommunication Act and the Broadcasting Act, the Branch:

• develops spectrum management regulatory and operational policies and procedures;
• plans, authorizes and manages radio spectrum use by Canadian operators and licence holders, and certifies broadcasting facilities;
• ensures appropriate access to the radio frequency spectrum by as many users and for as many uses as possible;
• ensures Canadians have access to a reliable communications and information technologies infrastructure (including cybersecurity) during times of emergency; and
• provides a fair return to the government for the use of the radio frequency spectrum.

The Telecommunications Policy Branch is responsible for the exercise of the government's responsibilities under the Telecommunications Act, and for those powers under the Radiocommunication Act which relate to the allocation of radio spectrum. This branch:

• develops spectrum allocation, utilization and service policies, to support a full range of radiocommunication services, with respect to mobile telephone, personal communications, satellites, microwave systems and subscriber wireless access, used by government, Canadian industry and the public;
• provides ongoing reporting and analysis of CRTC proceedings and decisions to ensure consistent implementation of government policy goals, including recommendations to the Minister on appeals of CRTC decisions;
• provides advice on the domestic policy and regulatory framework for new media, convergence policy and Internet content policy issues; and
• develops, coordinates and represents Canadian telecommunications and trade policies, strategies and interests abroad in treaty-based organizations (e.g. ITU, INTELSAT, etc.), in multilateral fora (e.g. OECD, la Francophonie, APEC, CITEL, etc.) as well as bilaterally with key trading partners.

The Spectrum Engineering Branch is responsible for:

• negotiating and implementing international treaties, agreements, and arrangements for terrestrial and satellite telecommunication services and apparatus;
• developing and harmonizing national and international standards for spectrum/telecom services and equipment and issuing channel allotment plans for broadcasting services;
• ensuring the technical integrity and quality of engineering planning which is the basis for the orderly regulation, management and exploitation of the radio frequency spectrum for all telecommunication services in Canada;
• carrying out the technical and strategic planning which underpins Canadian telecommunication regulations, testing, certification and accreditation procedures;
• developing technical standards, procedures, regulations and sharing requirements for new and existing telecommunication services and apparatus and for electromagnetic compatibility requirements;
• testing and certifying radio and telecommunications terminal equipment and developing related procedures;
• organizing, representing and promoting Canada's interests in various international forums including the International Telecommunication Union, CITEL, ISO/IEC JTC 1, CISPR and related industrial forums;
• providing secretariat and web site support to the Telecommunications Standards Advisory Council of Canada (TSACC) and its working groups;
• developing automated spectrum management systems and related informatics infrastructure;
• providing technology transfer mechanisms with respect to spectrum management technologies for Canadian industry;
• providing technical support to Canadian companies actively engaged in spectrum management and related business to improve their export performance;
• providing technical substance and liaison for government to government exchanges with respect to spectrum management as set out in bilateral MOU's and other agreements; and
• managing the spectrum research program.