FCC and Industry Canada Agree On New Spectrum Sharing Arrangements Along the US-Canada Border

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Industry Canada have agreed on three interim spectrum sharing arrangements covering a range of wireless communications operations along the US-Canada border. The arrangements, which govern various spectrum bands, will enable greater wireless broadband deployment, improved general aviation air-to-ground communications services, and more efficient use of spectrum for specialized mobile radio services.

The three spectrum sharing arrangements are:

1. Fixed Services – Arrangement V – 71-76, 81-86, and 94.1-95 GHz. This new Arrangement among the FCC, NTIA and Industry Canada will facilitate deployment of fixed services within the border area, and will allow licensees to provide a broad range of products and services, including backhaul for mobile broadband networks, high-speed wireless local area networks and broadband Internet access over high bandwidth point to point links. It governs the sharing and coordination of spectrum in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, 92-94 GHz and 94.1-95 GHz bands.
2. Air-to-Ground Services – Statement of Intent for the Frequency Bands 454.6625-454.9875 MHz and 459.6625-459.9875 MHz. This new Statement of Intent allows for creation of a nationwide digital system covering the sharing and coordination of spectrum for the establishment and operation of general aviation air-ground services. It provides for sharing of spectrum when operations are located within various distances (ranging from approximately 490 – 580 kilometers) of the common border, specifically air-to-ground and fixed services in the 454.6625-454.9875 MHz and 459.6625-459.9875 MHz bands.
3. Specialized Mobile Radio Services – Arrangement U – 896-901 and 935-940 MHz. The 896-901 and 935-940 MHz bands are used by the Specialized Mobile Radio Services (SMR) and the business/industrial radio services primarily for voice communications. This new Arrangement, which governs the sharing and coordination of such services operating within 100 kilometers of the common border, simplifies the criteria for permitting secondary users in the band, thus enabling more efficient use of the spectrum while protecting primary users. Because Arrangement U may become part of a larger treaty or replacement agreement governing services operating above 30 MHz, the operational provisions of Arrangement U will be applied on an interim basis pending further review by legal officers.