OTTAWA, June 27, 2005 — Industry Canada announced today the signing of a new agreement with the United States to set aside a significant portion of the 700 megahertz (MHz) frequency band for use by public safety agencies, including emergency first responders, along both sides of the Canada-United States border. This agreement will help meet the communication needs of police, ambulance, firefighters and other public safety officials.
This spectrum will help Canadian public safety agencies improve their effectiveness. For example, they will be able to access the latest electronic tools and applications, such as downloading fingerprint data into police cars, or maps of buildings for use by firefighters.
The sharing of the radio spectrum between 764-776 MHz and 794-806 MHz will allow public safety personnel in Canada to communicate with their American counterparts during times of crises along the border. This new capacity will lead to better integration and coordination of emergency services, resulting in greater protection for citizens along the Canada-United States border. Nine out of 10 Canadians live near the border.
Industry Canada is working closely with the public safety community to develop the final spectrum policies, technical standards, band plans, and licensing guidelines to open the spectrum for public safety users.
Canada and the United States have a long history of sharing the radiofrequency spectrum. These arrangements ensure that the spectrum is used in a coordinated, interference-free way. These types of agreements also accommodate the growth of wireless systems and services in Canada.
The agreement can be found on Industry Canada's Spectrum Management and Telecommunications webpage, http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/home.
For more information, please contact:
Media Relations
Industry Canada
(613) 943-2502