Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) 600 MHz Repurposing RABC 600 MHz Working Group Meeting Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada
1 Agenda: 600 MHz Repurposing Recap –Canadian Decision and Statement of Intent –U.S. incentive auction overview –Timeline Post Auction Formation of RABC 600 MHz Working Group
2 Following a public consultation, ISED published a decision to jointly repurpose the 600 MHz band with the U.S. (August 2015). –Repacking OTA TV broadcaster stations more tightly in lower frequencies and repurposing the upper portion of the band for commercial mobile service –Incentive auction determines the amount of spectrum –All regular power and virtually all low power existing Canadian TV stations will have spectrum (channel) to continue operations following the repacking –Maintain regular power station’s band of operation, minimizing possible impacts to TV viewers ISED and FCC signed Statement of Intent outlining principles to guide repurposing process 600 MHz Repurposing Recap
3 Repurpose the same amount of spectrum as U.S. –Incentive auction determines the amount of spectrum –No market variation implemented in Canada –No Canadian TV assignments in last TV channel adjacent to guard band, where possible –Clearing targets of 138 MHz and 144 MHz have been removed from consideration Canadian Key Decisions - Band Plan
4 New DTV allotment plan: –Preserve station’s coverage area and population served –Based on current operating parameters –Channel for all regular power TV stations, virtually all low power –Regular power TV stations will remain in their current band of operation –DTV stations: channel within current band –Analogue stations: channel within current DTV allotment plan Channel assignments in the new DTV Allotment Plan will be optimized New DTV Allotment Plan
5 Minimum Notifications Sequencing of channel changes for stations not known until end of incentive auction (final assignments) and transition plan
6 U.S. Incentive Auction (March 29, 2016) Incentive auction began March 29, 2016 U.S. broadcaster participation is voluntary Multiple bidding options: Licence relinquishment, changing bands Clearing target expected to be announced end of April
7 Application Procedures released for broadcast incentive auction Bidding procedures released. U.S. broadcasters file reverse auction application express interest to participate in incentive auction 12/8/15 -1/12/16 Determination of initial clearing target Oct 2015 Nov 2015 Dec 2015 Jan 2016 Feb 2016 March 2016 April 2016 May 2016 June 2016 July 2016 August 2016 Sept 2016 Oct 2016 Nov 2016 Forward auction bidder application period 1/26-2/9* Dec 2016 U.S. TV broadcasters file initial commitments 3/29 New Joint DTV Allotment Plan: Validation 5 days after TV channel reassignments become available. FCC Incentive Auction Timelines: Bidding in the Clock Rounds Begins: Specific date to be provided to each applicant qualified to bid by confidential status letter after initial clearing target announced
8 ISED and FCC actively engaged; continue collaborating –Joint new DTV Allotment Plan –Validation: Ensures Canadian interests / constraints are met –Phase-in method for new DTV Allotment Plan implementation –Transition plan, scheduling and dependencies –Monitoring system to track transition progress –Cross-border coordination –Framework for TV station transition to new DTV Allotment Plan –Digital TV broadcasting (steady state) –Mobile broadband service within repurposed UHF spectrum Next Phase: Post Auction
9 Formation of an RABC 600 MHz working group –Stakeholders: –Broadcasters, RRBS, licensed and unlicensed users, manufacturers, tower crews, etc. –ISED (technical, operational and policy), CRTC and PCH –Series of 1 hour working meetings / teleconferences on specific topics –Overall transition planning and scheduling –Technical transition considerations / factors (during, after) –Transition implementation, procedures and notification mechanisms –Capacity and timelines –Stakeholder information / input / feedback Stakeholder 600 MHz working group
10 Stakeholder Input and Feedback Seek specific input at various intervals and stages throughout the process –Information will be used in transition planning and implementation, technical rules, as well as negotiations with the FCC –Transition: –Technical rules, considerations, factors (during / after) –Planning and Implementation –Industry capacity –Manufacturing, installation work –Constraints and limitations –Current equipment and capabilities
11 Thank You Questions?
12 Clarifications: Band Plan