SAB-002-26 — Opening of the Indigenous Priority Window for Access Spectrum Licences in the PCS and Cellular Bands

January 16, 2026

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), on behalf of the Minister of Industry (the Minister), is publishing this Spectrum Advisory Bulletin (SAB) to outline key dates regarding decisions set out in SPB-001-24, Decision on New Access Licensing Framework, Changes to Subordinate Licensing and White Space to Support Rural and Remote Deployment (Access Licensing Framework) and SPB-001-26, Access Licensing Framework: Decision on the Indigenous Priority Window Policy. The IPW Framework will provide eligible Indigenous applicants with priority access to the unused portions of the 800 MHz Cellular (Cellular) and 1900 MHz Personal Communications Services (PCS) spectrum bands made available through the Access Licensing Framework.

Interested applicants and current Cellular and PCS licensees should take note of the following dates:

Note to Current Cellular and PCS Licensees

As stated in the Access Licensing Framework, access spectrum licences for the unused licenced Cellular and PCS spectrum will be issued for Tier 5 service areas, as defined in the Service areas for competitive licensing. ISED also decided that prior to the start of any application window for access spectrum licensing (including an Indigenous priority window), ISED will create a bank of available licences in its Spectrum Management System (SMS) where applicants may apply for them during the application window timeframe.

In order to determine which licences are to be included in the final bank of available licences, ISED will use a snapshot of available site data at 12:00 PM (noon) ET, February 16, 2026. After this date, as stated in the Access Licensing Framework and in the Cellular and PCS conditions of licence, any deployments by an existing licensee during an application window (including the IPW) must not cause interference to, and will not be protected from, an access spectrum licensee’s operations in the same Tier 5 service area and same frequency block.

As a result, any new deployments by an existing licensee will be made at the existing licensee’s risk until the application window closes and access spectrum licences are no longer available, in relation to operations within the same frequency block and Tier 5 service area. When the application window closes, any incumbent deployments will revert to the regular protection level if no access spectrum licence was granted.

Cellular and PCS licensees are required to upload their site data each month, as part of their conditions of licence. Since ISED will use site data to determine available ASL licences, it is important that all licensees provide accurate information before the snapshot is generated. Licensees are encouraged to contact Spectrum Operations at spectrumoperations-operationsduspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca if they have questions about the process or run into issues.

Similarly, licensees should contact ISED through the above email address by July 9, 2026 if they identify an issue with the list of available licences published on June 9, 2026. The email must include corresponding evidence demonstrating why a licence should or should not be included in the list. For instance, ISED may remove a licence from the list if an incumbent licensee offers proof that the site was included in a site upload prior to the snapshot date, or provides evidence that the licensee contacted ISED regarding issues with the upload process.

Note to Interested IPW Applicants

To participate in the IPW process, applicants must be successfully screened for eligibility prior to applying for an access spectrum licence. Eligibility screening is now open and will remain open until 2 months before the IPW closes. Please refer to the IPW Framework for details on eligibility and screening. To initiate the screening process applicants are required to submit a completed eligibility screening form. Eligibility screening forms are available upon request from the Indigenous Spectrum Policy Team (ISPT). If interested applicants require assistance filling out the form or have general questions related to the process, they are encouraged to reach out to the ISPT for support.

All interested applicants must follow the process outlined below to acquire an available access spectrum licence in the Cellular and PCS bands through the IPW.

Step 1: Eligibility screening

• request an eligibility screening form by emailing the Indigenous Spectrum Policy Team (ISPT)

• submit the eligibility screening form with appropriate documentation through an email to the ISPT

  • if you do not have an existing Spectrum Management System (SMS) account, create your web profile/ SMS account, and please enter your account number when submitting your eligibility screening form to the ISPT team; or,
  • if you are a potential applicant with an existing SMS account, please enter your account number when submitting your eligibility screening form to the ISPT team

Step 2: Apply for an available Cellular or PCS licence

Once the IPW is open:

• navigate to: Apply for an available terrestrial spectrum licence and click “Apply for an available terrestrial spectrum licence” to find a spectrum licence that is available
• log in using your web profile credentials, and select an eligible account
• in this first-come, first-served process, once an application is received, the area/frequency is reserved and will not be available to others unless the application is rejected
• if the application is approved, the applicant will get an invoice for the licence, per the fees established in the Decision

Step 3: Licence payment

• payment is required prior to ISED issuing the licence
• once payment is received, licence will be granted and valid
• for more information on the associated fees, consult: Spectrum and telecommunications fees
• to browse your invoices or make a payment, go to: Online Payment and View Invoices

Step 4: Get your virtual licence (optional)

• once the above steps are successfully completed, you can view or print your licence using the Search for Virtual Licence or Certificate option in SMS
• the licence will include all applicable conditions

Once an access spectrum licence has been granted, the licensee will have a high expectation of renewal unless there has been a breach of licence condition, a fundamental reallocation of spectrum to a new service is required, or an overriding policy need arises. These conditions include deployment requirements which state that the licensee must deploy at least one station per 10,000 population within 3 years. For additional details on the conditions of licence attached to the licence, please refer to Annex B of the Access Licensing Framework.

Geoff Colman
Senior Director, Spectrum Operations Directorate
Spectrum Management Operations Branch