CPC-2-1-11 — Licensing Procedure for Licensed Wireless Microphones

Client Procedures Circular CPC-2-1-11, issue 4, Licensing Procedures for Licensed Wireless Microphones replaces CPC-2-1-11, issue 3, Licensed Low-Power Radio Apparatus, dated February 5, 2015.

Comments and suggestions may be directed to the following address:

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Spectrum Management Operations Branch
235 Queen Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0H5
Email: ic.spectrumoperations-operationsduspectre.ic@canada.ca

All spectrum-related documents are available on the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, through the Department of Industry Act, the Radiocommunication Act and the Radiocommunication Regulations, with due regard to the objectives of the Telecommunications Act, is responsible for spectrum management in Canada. As such, the Minister oversees the development of national policies and goals for spectrum resource use and ensures effective management of the radio frequency spectrum.

Section 5 of the Radiocommunication Act (the “Act”) specifies that the Minister may issue radio licences in respect of radio apparatus. Further, section 6 of the Act states that the Governor in Council may exempt radio apparatus from the requirement to be licensed.

The term “wireless microphones” is used generically and is meant to include not only wireless microphones, but also cue and control communications, synchronization of video camera signals and FM transmitters.

The requirement to obtain a radio licence for a wireless microphone is dependent upon the Radio Standards Specification (RSS) under which the wireless microphone has been approved for use in Canada:

• wireless microphones certified under RSS-210 are exempt from licensing requirements
• wireless microphones certified under RSS-123 require radio licences granted by the Minister subject to the Radiocommunication Act

This document outlines the licensing process and technical requirements for wireless microphones certified under RSS-123 for the frequency bands listed in table 1. Note that licensing requirements do not apply to low-power announcement service (LPAS) devices that allow operators to communicate informative or commercial messages to the general public by means of ultra-low-power transmitters (e.g. “talking signs”). These types of LPAS are exempt from the requirement to obtain a licence (see section 8 for more information).

Table 1 lists the frequency bands for devices commonly approved under RSS-123 and the maximum bandwidth and power allowed for the operation of these devices. For wireless microphones operating in the television broadcast bands as well as 614-616 MHz and 653-663 MHz, refer to CPC-2-1-28, Voluntary Licensing of Licence-Exempt Wireless Microphones in TV Bands.

Table 1 also indicates licensing eligibility as follows:

Licensing eligibility A: To be eligible to apply for licenses within the specified bands, holders of a licensed wireless microphone must meet the eligibility requirements in section 9 (1) of the Radiocommunication Regulations.

Licensing eligibility B: To be eligible to apply for licenses within the specified bands, holders of a licensed wireless microphone must meet the eligibility requirements in section 9 (1) of the Radiocommunication Regulations and operate as one of the following: broadcasters and other program producers, large venue operators/owners and professional sound companies, theatre, music and sporting events/similar organizations that require high quality audio wireless microphones as part of their productions/events.

This section explains the authorization and operational requirements for wireless microphones.

A wireless microphone system includes wireless microphones and associated monitors or receiving stations, and can operate only within a 500-metre radius.

All wireless microphones specified within this CPC must comply with the latest RSS for which they have been approved.

Frequencies for the operation of wireless microphones will be assigned such that interference is not caused to primary users of the band selected.

Licences for wireless microphone systems (considered secondary systems) will indicate that authorization is granted on a no-interference, no-protection basis regarding the primary radio services. It is the secondary licensee’s responsibility to resolve any interference problems caused to primary users, even to the point of ceasing operation if an alternate channel cannot be found. Conversely, a licensed wireless microphone system is not entitled to interference protection from primary radio services.

A single base-mobile radio licence will be issued for the wireless microphone system, including all microphones under the mobile section and a single fixed base representing the associated system monitors.

For simplex (one-way) wireless microphone systems: The mobile section of the licence will indicate all the authorized transmit frequencies and the fixed base will indicate all of the authorized receive frequencies. Licence fees will be charged for a single frequency regardless of bandwidth and the number of authorized channels.

For duplex wireless microphone systems: Both the mobile and base sections of the licence will indicate all the authorized transmit and receive frequencies. Licence fees will be charged for a duplex channel regardless of bandwidth and the number of authorized channels.

Fees for voluntary wireless microphone licences are charged according to RIC-42, Guide for Calculating Radio Licence Fees. For additional information, please contact your local district office via RIC-66, Addresses and Telephone Numbers of District Offices.

Wireless microphones operating in the 26.10-26.48 MHz, 450-451 MHz and 455-456 MHz bands are not required to use specific carrier frequencies. However, the assigned frequencies must be sufficiently far from the band edges to ensure that the occupied bandwidth falls entirely within the band.

In addition to the above, frequencies assigned to microphones operating in the 88-107.5 MHz band must be offset from the upper or lower band limit by 25 kHz or a multiple thereof. Furthermore, the frequencies for wireless microphones operating in the FM broadcast band must be selected to ensure that there is no disruption in the reception of other broadcast signals available in the immediate area.

Table 2 lists the preferred frequencies for wireless microphones operating in the 150-174 MHz frequency band.

Should none of the frequencies in table 2 be permissible, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) may consider selecting one of the broadcasting auxiliary use frequencies listed in table 3, on a special case basis.

* The 166.250 MHz and 170.150 MHz frequencies are reserved exclusively for nationwide use by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

The public information service is defined in the Radiocommunication Regulations as “a radiocommunication service that provides for communications in which the transmissions are intended for the public, but does not include transmissions by a broadcasting undertaking.”

Accordingly, a radio authorization can be issued for this type of service using radio apparatus certified under RSS-123 provided all of the following criteria are met:

• the transmitter uses FM carrier frequencies (frequencies spaced 200 kHz apart, i.e. 88.1, 88.3, 88.5 up to 107.5 MHz)
• the radio apparatus is not used for broadcasting as defined in the Broadcasting Act: “any transmission of programs, whether or not encrypted, by radio waves or other means of telecommunication for reception by the public by means of broadcasting receiving apparatus, but does not include any such transmission of programs that is made solely for performance or display in a public place”. Applicants should consult the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) if it is unclear whether their application meets this definition.
• the effective radiated power (e.r.p.) is limited to 1 W and the field strength at the public place boundary is limited to 100 microvolts per metre (µV/m) (boundary field strength levels can be controlled by reducing transmitter power or by changing the transmitter antenna’s gain, height or location (i.e. indoor vs. outdoor))
• the intended purpose of the radio apparatus is to provide an information service within the confines of a public place (e.g. shopping centre, museum, school, arena, drive-in theatre, parking lot)

In such cases, the following condition of licence will be added:

The radiated emission from this station shall be confined to the public place where this station is authorized to operate by limiting the field strength produced at the public place boundary to 100 microvolts per metre (µV/m). This authorization is granted on a no-interference, no-protection basis.

In a second scenario, other non-broadcasting services could involve, for example, the use of radio equipment for the distribution of information to employees working on company property. In this case, the transmissions are not intended to be received by the general public, nor are the transmissions made within a public place. Therefore, a land mobile radio station licence can be issued. The modulation, carrier frequency, power and field strength limitations noted above must still be respected. In such cases, the following condition of licence will be added:

The radiated emission from this station shall be confined to the private property where this station is authorized to operate by limiting the field strength produced at the property boundary to 100 microvolts per metre (µV/m). This authorization is granted on a no-interference, no-protection basis.

Radio apparatus operating with an e.r.p. of 0.01W or greater is subject to an FM/NAVCOM analysis as per section 2.6.2 of Broadcasting Procedures and Rules, BPR-3, Application Procedures and Rules for FM Broadcasting Undertakings. Coordination with NAV CANADA may be required if a potential for interference to NAVCOM services is identified (frequency bands relevant to frequency selection and coordination by NAV CANADA are outlined in appendix A of the Agreement Between Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada as Represented by the Minister of Minister of Industry and NAV CANADA Regarding Radio Frequency Spectrum Management). The regional and/or district office involved in broadcasting certification should be consulted to confirm this requirement.

As noted earlier, apparatus certified under RSS-210 and not used for broadcasting are exempt from radio licensing requirements. Such apparatus include personal audio devices equipped with short-range FM transmitters that send radio signals to nearby FM receivers.

If an installation’s radio transmissions are intended for reception by the general public and/or the signal is not confined to a public place, the installation is considered a broadcasting undertaking. In that case, the installation’s operator is required to obtain an ISED broadcasting certificate and a CRTC broadcasting licence. Such installations must also use radio equipment certified under appropriate Broadcasting Equipment Technical Standards (BETS). However, in accordance with ISED and CRTC policy, certain broadcasting undertakings may be exempt from these requirements. Refer to the CRTC Broadcasting Exemption Orders and ISED’s Broadcasting Certificate-exempt Radio Apparatus List for detailed information.

Low-power announcement service (LPAS) stations allow real estate agents, store owners, local authorities and others to communicate messages of an informative or commercial nature to the general public by means of ultra-low-power transmitters (e.g. “talking signs”). As a broadcasting service, an LPAS undertaking may require an ISED broadcasting certificate and a CRTC broadcasting licence. However, as noted in Public Notice CRTC 2000-10, in the section “Exemption order respecting low-power radio: Ultra low power announcement service (LPAS) undertakings,” there are conditions under which an LPAS undertaking is exempt from the requirement to obtain a licence.

If the LPAS radio apparatus is certified under BETS-1, the LPAS undertaking is exempt from the requirement to obtain an ISED broadcasting certificate. If the radio apparatus is not certified under BETS-1, the operator must apply for a broadcasting certificate by following the relevant Broadcasting Procedures and Rules (i.e. BPR-1 and BPR-3).

Annex A provides an overview of the authorization process for both broadcasting and non- broadcasting services in the 88-107.5 MHz band.