Government of Canada Announces Additional Spectrum to Support Improved Connectivity and Innovative 5G Applications
March 26, 2025
Access to fast, reliable and affordable Internet and mobile services is essential for Canadians. That is why the Government of Canada continues to make spectrum available to support better connectivity and access to the latest wireless technologies.
On March 6, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced new measures to make fifth generation (5G) millimetre wave spectrum available for innovative new services. This spectrum will be made available through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework, as well as through an upcoming spectrum auction following a public consultation.
Millimetre wave spectrum is high-frequency spectrum that can carry large quantities of data over short distances. It can support highly localized mobile services, new applications such as automation in manufacturing and transportation, and fixed wireless services for Internet in homes typically located in rural or remote areas.
Service providers, businesses and industries require spectrum to provide a broad range of new wireless services to Canadians. The millimetre wave spectrum that the government is making available will continue to improve the quality of wireless networks, promote innovation, and boost productivity by supporting services such as smart agriculture, industrial automation and private networks.
Quotes
“The emergence of new wireless technologies is supporting the creation and expansion of new spectrum applications across different industries, including manufacturing, health care, public safety and more. Making new millimetre wave spectrum available will encourage the development of new and disruptive business models, drive ongoing investment in networks, increase competition and improve affordable connectivity options for Canadians across the country.”
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“Whether for accessing health care, enhancing safety in communities or growing a business, reliable connectivity is a necessity, no matter where you live in Canada. Making additional spectrum available will improve connectivity for Canadians in rural and remote areas, enabling them to grow their potential in this digital world.”
– The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Quick facts
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is publishing an addendum to the Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework that will add millimetre wave spectrum in the 27.5–28.35 GHz band.
- On May 3, 2023, ISED published the Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework to provide localized access to shared spectrum to smaller users, including wireless Internet service providers, innovative industries, and rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
- This licensing framework uses a simple, automated licensing system that lets users apply for licences in a custom-defined area of their choosing. This allows them to get easy access to spectrum covering areas as small as a single farm, factory, university campus or shopping centre.
- ISED will be consulting from March 06 to June 04, 2025, on millimetre wave spectrum in the 26 GHz and 38 GHz bands for an upcoming spectrum auction. This would include the rules of the auction, competitive measures and deployment conditions, as well as whether additional spectrum should be made available for non-competitive local licensing.
- Fixed wireless refers to Internet broadcast from towers within a certain radius through airwaves to receivers that the service provider installs on the user’s property.
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