Radio licence fees

Learn about issuance and annual fees prescribed for radio licences under the Radiocommunication Regulations.

On this page:

• Overview of radio licence fees
• Issuance and renewal of licences
• Other factors that affect licence fees
• How to calculate your fees
• Additional information

Overview of radio licence fees

Under the Radiocommunication Act, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry is responsible for the orderly development and efficient operation of radiocommunication in Canada, while respecting the policy objectives set out in the Telecommunications Act.  The Radiocommunication Act allows the Minister to issue licences, certificates, and other types of authorizations. It also empowers the Governor in Council to set out fees for radio authorizations.

During the authorization process, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) can issue, renew, or amend radio licences that authorize the use of radio apparatus and associated frequencies. A radio licence fee is the fee payable for the issuance, renewal, or amendment of a radio licence.

Here’s what you need to know about these fees:

• fee calculations are based on the monthly or annual fees listed in Schedule III, Parts I to VI, of the Radiocommunication Regulations
• fees are adjusted annually according to the Service Fees Act
• the licence fee is the sum of all the individual fees that apply to the licence 

Issuance and renewal of licences

The term of a licence (its duration) can either be renewable or temporary based on your requirements. This section provides details on fees for both renewable and temporary licences.

• Issuance of a renewable radio licence: The monthly fee for new, renewable radio licences is based on the number of months from the date of issuance until March 31 (the end of the fiscal year). Although the term “monthly fee” is used, payment is required in one lump sum once the licence has been authorized.
  • Example: If you are authorized to begin operations starting July 10, the radio licence fee will be the sum of the nine monthly fees from July 10 until March 31.
• Issuance of a temporary, non-renewable licence: The fee for a temporary radio licence depends on the duration of the licence (the period from the in-service date to the expiry date).
  • For durations of 30 days or less:
    • temporary licence fee = monthly licence fee (even if 30 calendar days span multiple months or fiscal years)
  • For longer durations of up to 11 months:
    • temporary licence fee = monthly licence fee x number of months for which the licence is valid

If a temporary licence spans two different fiscal years, the licence fee is based on the fees effective from the date that the licence went into effect.
Note: A temporary licence cannot be renewed or converted to a renewable licence. However, a renewable licence can be transitioned into a temporary radio licence before the renewal invoice is paid.

• Renewal of renewable radio licences: The annual fee for the renewal of a radio licence is payable before the radio licence expires on March 31 of each year.
• Amendment of radio licences: If an amendment to a licence results in a higher licence fee, you must pay an amendment fee, which is calculated by subtracting the original monthly fee from the new monthly fee. If the amendment does not lead to a higher fee, no fee is charged nor is a credit given. In general, fees increase when new frequencies, radios, locations, or bandwidth are added.

Note: Changes in operating parameters can result in interference with other systems, including those across the US border. Therefore, you must inform ISED before you modify the operating parameters of the radio station, such as the station’s location, frequency, power level, antenna height or pattern. You may also be required to submit a revised application for further review and approval by ISED.

Other factors that affect licence fees

Other factors can affect how the licence fee is calculated, such as:

• the type of station being licensed (e.g. fixed or mobile)
• the type of radiocommunication service used
• the amount of spectrum required
• the number of frequencies assigned for fixed stations
• the number of identical stations for mobile stations
• the location of operation

For fixed stations, the geographical coordinates of the antenna system determine the location of the station.

A transmitter and its associated receiver are located at the same site; however, if they are located at different sites, and each makes use of a distinct antenna, they are considered to be separate stations, and are licensed and charged accordingly. Different sites are antenna locations that are more than 30 metres apart. In cases where the applicant has two antenna installations on or in the same building, separated by more than 30 metres, ISED will determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether to authorize each site individually.

Duplicate facilities shall not be subject to duplicate licences or fees when they are established at the same site for circuit protection purposes and when they have the same frequency complement. Facilities that are not duplicates for circuit protection but are on the same site will be charged the sum of the fees applicable to the complement of radio apparatus located at that site.

In all cases, licence fees must be paid in full before the radio licence can be issued. Once issued, the licence is valid until its expiry date. No portion of the licence fee is refundable.

The Service Fees Act and the Consumer Price Index

In accordance with the Service Fees Act, ISED’s Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector updates its fees to account for the consumer price index (CPI) adjustment on April 1 of each year. When calculating or recalculating licence fees, you must use the individually adjusted rates, which are published on the Spectrum and telecommunications fees web page. The CPI adjustment is applied individually to both the monthly fee and the annual fee on April 1 of each year.

How to calculate your fees

Consult RIC-42 — Guide for Calculating Radio Licence Fees for information on how to calculate radio licence fees for both renewable and temporary licences for radiocommunication systems operating in the land mobile, fixed, and point-to-point services. 

Additional information

For information on how to calculate radio licence fees for radiocommunication systems not covered by RIC-42 (such as public information, developmental, and radiodetermination stations), refer to the Radiocommunication Regulations or contact your local Spectrum Management District Office.