In March 2019, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) released the decision SMSE-003-19 on Technical, Policy and Licensing Framework for Wireless Microphones.

The decision gives information on the spectrum access and way of licensing for wireless microphones operating in the following frequency bands:

• 54-72 MHz  
• 76-88 MHz  
• 174-216 MHz  
• 470-608 MHz  
• 614-617 MHz  
• 652-663 MHz  
• 941.5-952 MHz  
• 953-960 MHz  
• 6930-6955 MHz  
• 7100-7125 MHz

The decision was prepared baseв on the consultation process in SMSE-019-17.

The following decisions were made:

D1

• It enables the use of wireless microphones operating in the guard band (614-617 MHz) and duplex gap (652-663 MHz) according to final technical rules.

D2

• Wireless microphones can operate in the frequency bands 941.5-952 MHz, 953-960 MHz, 6930-6955 MHz, and 7100-7125 MHz according to the applicable technical rules.

D3

• When wireless microphones are used with white space devices at the frequency bands 941.5-952 MHz, 953-960 MHz, 6930-6955 MHz, and 7100-7125 MHz, eligible applicants for licensing are defined as: “Broadcasters and other program producers, large venue operators and owners, professional sound companies, and theatre, music, sporting venues, and other similar event organizations that require high-quality audio wireless microphones as part of their productions or events.”

D4

• If you have valid voluntary licensees, it is possible to use them whether they meet the new criteria or not. It is also possible to use these voluntary licenses for the replacing or renewing process. However, the replaced or renewed licenses must be within the spectrum shared with white space devices that can be voluntarily licensed.

D5

• There is no need to get a license for the wireless microphones that operate at the TV broadcasting bands (54-72 MHz, 76-88 MHz, 174-216 MHz, and 470-608 MHz) as well as within the 600 MHz guard band (614-617 MHz) and duplex gap (652-663 MHz) according to the new technical rules.

D6

• It is possible to apply for a voluntary license for the wireless microphones that operate at the TV broadcasting bands (54-72 MHz, 76-88 MHz, 174-216 MHz, and 470-608 MHz).

It enables the use of wireless microphones that operate within the upper portion of the duplex gap (657-663 MHz) on a voluntarily license basis. However, remember that in this case it is necessary to register operation with a white space database in order to be protected from harmful interference caused by white space devices.

D7

• In case when the wireless microphones operate in the frequency bands 941.5-952 MHz, 953-960 MHz, 6930-6955 MHz, and 7100-7125 MHz, it is necessary to apply for licenses.

D8

• ISED removes a ban on applications for voluntary licenses for the wireless microphones operating within the TV broadcasting bands (54-72 MHz, 76-88 MHz, 174-216 MHz, and 470-608 MHz). However, it is still not possible to get a voluntary license for wireless microphones operating at the upper portion of the duplex gap (657-663 MHz) shared with white space devices and those that operate in the band 657-663 MHz. However, it will be possible to obtain voluntary licenses for both types of microphones once new technical rules are established.

Thus, according to this Decision, wireless microphones are permitted to use at the following frequency bands:

The full text of the Decision you can find here.

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