ISED mulling set-asides for 600 MHz spectrum

Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada is looking to bolster wireless competition by potentially setting aside spectrum in the 600 MHz auction for a “certain sub-set of entities,” it said in a consultation document released Friday. “There are various measures available in an auction to promote a competitive marketplace if required, notably set-asides and spectrum aggregation limits,” ISED said in the document, which seeks comment on technical, policy and licensing framework for the 600 MHz spectrum. “These measures can address issues of market power and support competition.” Considering the “risk that competition in the post auction marketplace could suffer without measures to facilitate regional carrier’s access to spectrum” and the incumbent’s ability to “prevent other service providers from acquiring spectrum licences in an open auction,” ISED “proposes to adopt competitive measures in the form of a set-aside for the 600 MHz licensing process,” the document said. It is proposing to set aside 30 MHz. The document noted that the government reserved about 40 and 60 per cent of the 2008 AWS and the 2015 AWS-3 spectrum at auctions, respectively. In June, Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains announced that the government would begin consulting on the 600 MHz spectrum auction “in the coming weeks.” The government released a timeline in April on transitioning the spectrum from over-the-air television to wireless, the same month the United States wrapped up its own 600 MHz spectrum auction. ISED said in the consultation document that the additional spectrum will allow for increased network capacity and support next-generation wireless technologies while giving newer entrants an opportunity to obtain more low-band spectrum to compete against established providers. In order to determine eligible players, ISED is also proposing to define a national incumbent service as companies with 10 per cent or more of the wireless subscriber market share. All other companies will be considered regional service providers. ISED is also proposing that the set-aside licenses acquired not be transferable to those ineligible for the spectrum for the first five years of the licence term to “deter speculation” and “ensure the effectiveness of the set-aside.” The deadline for comments is Oct. 2, with replies to those accepted until Oct. 25.

ISED mulling set-asides for 600 MHz spectrum

Brief | August 4, 2017

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ISED mulling set-asides for 600 MHz spectrum

Brief | August 4, 2017

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