Pacific Spectrum Connection - Spectrum and Telecommunications
Branch, SITT Pacific
Client Notice on Spectrum Issues and Activities
June 2007
Welcome
Pacific Spectrum Connection shares information with our regional clients
on spectrum issues, policies, and regional activities and provides feedback
on topics raised by clients.
News
Spectrum Auction in the 2 GHz Range including
Advanced Wireless Services
Notice
No. DGTP-002-07 outlines the results of the consultation on Advanced
Wireless Services (AWS) and requests comments on a number of technical,
operational and licensing issues. This paper also announces changes to
band plans, AWS spectrum, PCS expansion, and addresses eligibility, competition
and auction design issues.
AWS applications include cellular telephony, data, multimedia, IP-based
applications and broadband internet access using third generation (3G)
cellular and other technologies. All comments received are posted on Industry
Canada's Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website and
interested parties are now given an opportunity to respond to comments
submitted from other parties. Reply comments will be accepted until June
22, 2007.
Dedicated Short Range Communications-Based Intelligent
Transportation Systems
Industry Canada is asking for your comments on this recently released
document: Proposed
Spectrum Utilization Policy, Technical and Licensing Requirements to Introduce
DSRC-based ITS Applications in the Band 5850-5925 MHz. Dedicated Short
Range Communications (DSRC) systems provide short-range, wireless links
to transfer information between vehicles and roadside units or other vehicles.
Examples of such transfers include traffic light control, travel alerts,
toll collection, emergency vehicle pre-emption of traffic lights and electronic
inspection of moving trucks.
More information on ITS can be found at http://www.itscanada.ca
and http://www.transportcanada.ca.
Regional Activities
This aircrane is taking part in heli-logging operations located on Vancouver
Island, between Port Alberni and Youbou.
Land-Mobile Frequencies in Aircraft
Use of land-mobile frequencies in aircraft is restricted and subject
to radio licensing. A document outlining when these frequencies can be
used and the relevant restrictions will be available soon. In the meantime,
please contact your local district office for further information.
Summary of Regional Activity
Pacific Region completed these licensing and spectrum control activities
from April 2006 to March 2007.
Licensing:
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2,111 Variable Parameter (land mobile)
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1,362 Fixed Parameter (mobile, ship, air)
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442 Microwave
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1,401 US Coordination Requests
Control:
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51 Broadcast events
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166 Radiocommunication (interference)
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309 Directed investigations
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829 Inspections
Survey of Recently Licensed Stations
Pacific Region's 2006/07 Land Fixed Survey (LFS) found discrepancies
in more than half the stations installed within the previous year. Of
167 stations surveyed 94 had at least one discrepancy.
The most common discrepancies were:
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Antenna characteristics different than applied for.
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Unauthorized frequencies installed.
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Incorrect location.
It's important for suppliers to install equipment exactly as indicated
on the radio license application and for licensees to advise us of any
changes. This information is important - it is used to protect all
stations from interference and to assess frequency sharing and coordination
issues for new stations.
Let your local district office know about proposed changes to your radio
station - it's the right way to keep the spectrum clean for
the benefit of us all.
Joint Enforcement Road Checks
Road checks are ongoing in Pacific region and were held recently in Lac
La Hache and McLeese Lake. 48 vehicles were inspected and 21 warnings
were issued. 3 amateur radios were seized because the operators were not
certified amateurs and because the radios had been illegally modified
to operate in the land mobile band.
Resource Road - Pilot Implementations
New resource road frequencies will be in place as early as fall 2007
in two areas of BC. Industry Canada, the Ministry of Forests, BC Timber
Sales, and the BC Forest Safety Council are working together to conduct
pilots in the Vancouver Island/Sunshine Coast and Tumbler Ridge areas.
Pilots will roll out with forty-two new channels operating at reduced
power levels of five watts or less. Fourteen new narrowband frequency
assignments combined with three sub-audible tones have been used to create
the forty-two channels. Pilots will test the new channel designations
and their technical parameters. New assignments will initially be applied
to resource roads under provincial jurisdiction where there are significant
pressures for channels. Public information sessions are scheduled for
June 2007 and will be hosted by the BC Forest Safety Council's Forestry
TruckSafe initiative. Included will be presentations from Ministry of
Forests, BC Timber Sales and Industry Canada. Details of these sessions
will be forwarded as available to two-way radio suppliers, installers
and other interested parties.
Proposed signage for new Resource Road channel assignments
Client Corner
This section answers questions posed by clients. Should you have a specific
topic or question that you would like to see in a future issue, please
send it to us. For a more immediate response, please phone your nearest
district office.
Do wireless Internet distribution systems need
licensing?
Most wireless Internet services don't require radio licensing because
they operate in licence-exempt bands. However, the equipment must still
be certified for use in Canada under RSS-210.
When offered for sale this equipment must be labelled with its certificate
number; the manual must also contain this number. Installation or use
of non-certified equipment can result in seizure of the equipment and
enforcement action against the operator, vendor or manufacturer.
Why does Industry Canada need to know that I've
moved my base station?
The location of your station is important to us! We use this information
to:
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Protect your station from interference.
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Select frequencies for new stations in your area.
-
Coordinate frequency use with the US.
Let your local district office know if you're planning to move
your station. Help us keep the frequency you use in peak condition!
Contact Us
Your feedback is important to us. Please send your questions, comments and
suggestions.
Phone us at 1-800-667-3780 (your call will be routed to
the district office in your area), or e-mail us at
Lower Mainland District Office:
vancouver.district@ic.gc.ca
Vancouver Island District Office:
victoria.district@ic.gc.ca
Okanagan Kootenay District Office:
kelowna.district@ic.gc.ca
Northern B.C. / Yukon District
Office: princegeorge.district@ic.gc.ca
SITT Branch Presentations
