Better Spectrum Access for Ontario’s Public Safety

Reliable communications are an indispensable part of modern emergency response. Police, fire services, paramedics and other public safety organizations increasingly depend on broadband connectivity to share information, access real-time data and coordinate operations. Public Safety Broadband Networks (PSBNs) can support these requirements by providing secure, reliable connectivity for applications such as real-time video, mapping, location services and data sharing.

Developing these networks requires access to suitable radio frequency spectrum. While Canada has designated spectrum for public safety broadband and has additional frequency bands that could support local 5G networks, existing federal licensing rules and technical restrictions can create barriers to practical and affordable deployment, particularly for municipalities.

A more flexible approach to spectrum access could help municipalities develop networks that combine dedicated public safety connectivity, local private networks and commercial carrier services. In this article, we will discuss three frequency bands that warrant particular attention: 700 MHz Band 14, 3.9 GHz and 4.9 GHz.

700 MHz Band 14: Improving Access to Designated Public Safety Spectrum

Canada has designated 20 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band (Band 14) for public safety broadband. However, regional and municipal public safety organizations do not currently have a clear pathway to access this spectrum and deploy their own supporting infrastructure.

Establishing a more flexible licensing framework could allow qualified public safety organizations to access Band 14 for regional and municipal deployments, particularly in areas where additional coverage is required. This could include arrangements that allow local and regional entities to operate under a coordinated licensing structure while maintaining interoperability between networks.

Any framework would need to preserve public safety priority and pre-emption capabilities, ensuring emergency communications can take precedence over lower-priority traffic during periods of network congestion.

3.9 GHz: Enabling Local Outdoor 5G Networks

The 3.9 GHz band (3900–3980 MHz), associated with 5G n77, offers potential for municipalities to establish local private 5G networks supporting public safety operations and critical infrastructure.

However, current federal licensing conditions restrict outdoor deployments in urban and metropolitan areas. These include low transmission power limits, antenna height restrictions, small licence areas and limits on available bandwidth. Wider bandwidth exceptions are available in certain circumstances but are restricted to indoor use in urban areas.

These restrictions can significantly affect network coverage and deployment costs. Lower transmission power and antenna height limits may require municipalities to install more sites to achieve the necessary coverage, increasing infrastructure, installation and operating expenses.

A revised licensing framework or public safety exception could allow higher outdoor transmission power, taller antennas, larger contiguous coverage areas and wider channels where operational requirements and available spectrum justify them. Appropriate safeguards would remain necessary to protect adjacent commercial services operating around 3800 MHz and aviation radio altimeters.

4.9 GHz: Modernizing Existing Public Safety Spectrum

The 4.9 GHz band (4940–4990 MHz), associated with 5G n79, is already designated for public safety use in Canada. However, its existing technical framework has not kept pace with modern wireless technologies.

The applicable equipment standard, RSS-111, was last updated in 2014 and limits channel bandwidths to 20 MHz. These restrictions can limit the availability and use of modern 5G equipment for public safety applications.

Reviewing the equipment standard and licensing framework could help enable broader use of the band for modern public safety broadband networks. Coordinated trials could also be authorized to evaluate compatible equipment and deployment requirements before wider implementation. Any changes would need to protect existing users, radio astronomy operations and cross-border coordination.

The Importance of Spectrum Policy for Municipalities

The conditions attached to spectrum licences directly influence the cost and feasibility of building wireless networks. For municipalities considering private 5G or public safety broadband deployments, restrictions on transmission power, antenna height, coverage areas and bandwidth can increase the amount of infrastructure required to deliver reliable service.

More practical access to spectrum could help reduce deployment costs while providing municipalities with greater flexibility to design networks around their operational requirements. It could also support connectivity for a broader group of emergency and secondary responders, including utilities, healthcare and transit organizations.

Moving forward, federal spectrum policy will be an important factor in determining how municipalities can access and deploy these networks. Greater coordination between federal and provincial governments, municipalities and public safety organizations can help identify operational requirements and provide practical evidence to support regulatory changes.

Establishing a clearer access framework for Band 14, allowing more flexible outdoor deployments in the 3.9 GHz band and modernizing the existing 4.9 GHz technical standards are three areas where regulatory changes could support the development of more affordable and resilient public safety broadband networks.