Gazette Notice DGTP-007-03

Industry Canada

Radiocommunication Act

Notice No. DGTP-007-03 — Consultation on the Spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services and Review of the Mobile Spectrum Cap Policy

This Notice announces the publication of a consultation paper, under the above title, which proposes the allocation and designation of spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services (AWS). Advanced Wireless Services include a wide range of services, such as third generation cellular, multimedia and broadband Internet. The industry has supported Industry Canada in its plans to identify spectrum for advanced mobile wireless services so as to keep Canada in step with developments in the United States and Europe on licensing activities. Consequently and pursuant to the work plan published in Radio Systems Policy-020, Guidelines on the Licensing Process and Spectrum Release Plan -2001 Edition (RP-020), this first consultation document includes proposals and invites comments on spectrum allocations and band designations. In order for incumbents of mobile spectrum to access these new bands in a future licensing activity, a full review of the spectrum cap policy is also initiated. The consultation paper also invites comments on measures to promote advanced mobile telephony services in rural Canada.

The service capabilities envisaged from Advanced Wireless Services (new mobile and fixed applications) are very promising and could provide people on-the-move full participation in the knowledge-based economy. The public benefits of these advanced service offerings support the Department’s initiative in proposing changes to spectrum allocations and designations which are laid out in this consultation paper.

Industry Canada invites interested parties to provide their views and comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper announced through this Notice. Interested parties should submit their comments no later than January 19, 2004 to ensure consideration. Shortly after the close of the comment period, all comments received will be posted on Industry Canada’s Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Web site at: http://strategis.gc.ca/spectrum.

Submitting Comments

Respondents are requested to provide their comments 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 Manager, Mobile Services, Telecom Policy Branch, Industry Canada, 1604A, 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-007-03).

Obtaining Copies

Copies of the consultation paper are available electronically on the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Web site at: http://strategis.gc.ca/spectrum.

Official printed copies of gazette notices can be obtained at the Canada Gazette Web site at: http://canadagazette.gc.ca/index-e.html or by calling the sales counter of Canadian Government Publishing at
(613) 941-5995 or 1 800 635-7943.

October 10, 2003

____________________________
Larry Shaw
Director General
Telecommunications Policy Branch