Canada.
A radio licence is required unless the device class is licence-exempt.
Spectrum regulator
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Spectrum
- Non-competitive local licence (NCL) 3900–3980 MHz · The route for a private LTE/5G network.
- NCL extension at 28 GHz 27.5–28.35 GHz · Extends NCL licensing on a no-interference, no-protection basis (SPB-001-25).
- 3500 and 3800 MHz flexible-use (through a licensee) 3800 MHz band 3650–3900 MHz; 3500 MHz band per L10 · Lease carrier spectrum with a subordinate licence or a transfer.
- Wireless broadband service (WBS) 3650–3700 MHz · Lightly licensed band now closing. Not an option for new deployments.
- 902–928 MHz licence-exempt (LoRaWAN) 902–928 MHz · Low-power sensor links; the LoRaWAN US902-928 plan covers Canada.
- 2.4 GHz licence-exempt (Wi-Fi) 2.4 GHz · Local Wi-Fi at the site.
- 6 GHz licence-exempt (RSS-248) 5925–7125 MHz · Wi-Fi 6E/7 indoors (LPI) and outdoors under automated frequency coordination (AFC).
Licensing
- Non-competitive local licence, 3900–3980 MHz Apply through ISED's automated system; first come, first served; technical rules SRSP-521, procedure CPC-2-1-31.
- Subordinate licence or transfer from a 3500 or 3800 MHz licensee A commercial agreement with the licensee, then ISED approval under CPC-2-1-23 §5.6; a subordinate licence cannot exceed the primary licence and is not divisible or transferable.
- Licence-exempt equipment (RSS-247, RSS-248) Approved equipment, no licence: 902–928 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under RSS-247; 6 GHz under RSS-248 Issue 3 with standard power under an automated frequency coordination system.
- 3650–3700 MHz wireless broadband service Closing: moratorium on new licences and stations in certain areas; displacement by 31 March 2025 in metropolitan and urban areas and by 31 March 2027 in rural and remote areas. Not offered for new deployments.
Siting
- Antenna systems follow CPC-2-0-03 Issue 6: land-use authority and public consultation; the 120-day clock starts when all required plans are submitted. The exclusion for new systems under 15 m does not apply to carriers, broadcasters or third-party tower owners.
- A May 2026 ISED consultation proposes extending that exclusion to all proponents; not decided.
- Near airports and air-navigation infrastructure, proposals go through the NAV CANADA land-use program; acceptance letters are valid 18 months and do not replace Transport Canada approvals.
Public safety
- Canada has no public-safety broadband network yet; a governance and legislative framework is being developed (2025 report), and the regulator closed one application as premature in June 2025.
Use cases in Canada
Industries
- ISIC A: Agriculture, forestry and fishing
- ISIC B: Mining and quarrying
- ISIC C: Manufacturing
- ISIC D: Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
- ISIC E: Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
- ISIC F: Construction
- ISIC G: Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
- ISIC H: Transportation and storage
- ISIC I: Accommodation and food service activities
- ISIC J: Information and communication
- ISIC K: Financial and insurance activities
- ISIC L: Real estate activities
- ISIC M: Professional, scientific and technical activities
- ISIC N: Administrative and support service activities
- ISIC O: Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
- ISIC P: Education
- ISIC Q: Human health and social work activities
- ISIC R: Arts, entertainment and recreation
- ISIC S: Other service activities
- ISIC T: Activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of households for own use
- ISIC U: Activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies