XXVMEETING OF PERMANENT

CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE II:
RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS

INCLUDING BROADCASTING

February 23-27, 2015
Medellin, Colombia / OEA/Ser.L/XVII.4.2
CCP.II-RADIO/doc.3732/15
9 February 2015
Original: English
REPLY TO Draft Decision PCC.II/DEC. 172 (XXIV-14)
“Request for information on the use of the band2700-2900 MHz in the americas”
(Item on the Agenda: 3.2)
(Document submitted the delegation of Canada)

1

SITT-STIT-#506788-v5-2700-2900_MHz_CITEL_QuestionnaireP2!R-3406_i.doc11.02.15

This contribution is in response to Draft Decision PCC.II/DEC. 172 (XXIV-14), which seeks information on current and planned use of the band 2700-2900 MHz and parts thereof by the OAS/CITEL Administrations for Aeronautical Radionavigation service and terrestrial services.

Canada invites the Rapporteur (Dr. Veena Rawat) to compile any information received and make it available to CITEL administrations.

Annex 1

USE OF THE BAND 2700-2900 MHz IN CANADA

1) What is the current and planned use of the 2700-2900 MHz band for aeronautical, meteorological and other radar applications?

In Canada, the aeronautical radionavigation service has a primary allocation in the band 2700-2900 MHz. FN 5.337 restricts use of the band for ground-based radars and their associated airborne transponders. The Department of National Defense (DND) operates fixed radars for air surveillance and air-traffic control with a bandwidth of 10 MHz in 6 locations: Comox, ColdLake, Trenton, Bagotville, Greenwood and GooseBay. DND also has an additional fixed radar for area surveillance with a bandwidth of 13 MHz in GooseBay. No new radars are forecasted in this band for DND use.

FN 5.423 provides for the use of meteorological radars on an equal basis to aeronautical radionavigation radars. The Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) is in the process of procuring new radar systems for the modernization of the weather radar network, two thirds of which is beyond its lifespan. With the vast expanse and diverse climatology, the MSC is strongly considering the merits of adding S-band systems to its network(currently C-band only). Given that 2700-2900 MHz is the usual S-band rangeused for meteorological radars, MSC will very likely be operating in Canada at that range. The current radar network consists of 31 sites across the country south of 60 degrees latitude (most south of 55). At this time, the number of sites that may be converted from C-band to S-band is unconfirmed. Additionally, MSC continues to explore the potential for operating high-frequency S-band at a number of select sites. This is to allow the narrow beam widths required to reliably pick up low-level weather like snow squalls without the requirement of a huge reflector.

The maritime radionavigation service also has a primary allocation in the band 2850-2900 MHz for use by (and limited to) shore-based radars via FN 5.424.

2) What applications, other than radars, use the 2700-2900 MHz band, or parts thereof?

Canadian footnoteC54 provides for the use of the band 2750-2850 MHz for the operation of the 10.7 cm solar radio flux monitoring program at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) located near Penticton, British Columbia. Other users of the band are urged to give all practicable protection to this passive operation.

In Canada, no new applications other than radars are forecasted on this band.

3) Is there any information regarding adjacent band operations that would assist in the consideration of the 2700-2900 MHz band with respect to discussions under WRC-15 agenda item 1.1?

From an adjacent band perspective, the radiolocation and radionavigation services have primary allocations in the 2900-3100 MHz in Canada. The use of the band 2 900-3 100MHz by the aeronautical radionavigation service is limited to ground-based radars via FN 5.426. According to the “Study of future demand for radio spectrum in Canada 2011-2015” ( the radionavigation and radiolocation service (2900-3100 MHz) is used on government aircrafts and ships. Based on this study, 128 frequency assignments across Canadawere noted within the frequency range 2900-3100 MHz.

DND has also confirmed the use or planned use of land transportable and/or shipborn radars in the frequency range 2900-3500 MHz.

Information on party surveyed:

Name of organization: / Industry Canada
Country: / Canada
Party responsible for survey: / Christine HSU
E-mail address: /
Contact telephone: / +1.613.990.4717

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