Canada ISED SRSP-522 26 GHz Rules: Draft Issue 2
Canada ISED SRSP-522 26 GHz Draft: Local Licensing Rules for 24.25–25.1 GHz Open Until January
Canada ISED SRSP-522 26 GHz rules are taking shape. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has released draft Standard Radio System Plan SRSP-522, Issue 2, which adds the 24.25–25.1 GHz band to the technical requirements for non-competitive local (NCL) licensed systems. Issue 1, published in September 2025, covers only the 27.5–28.35 GHz band. Comments on the draft are due by 15 January 2027.
Background: Canada's non-competitive local licensing
ISED's NCL licensing framework lets businesses, industry verticals and smaller operators get spectrum for a defined local area through an automated, first-come, first-served process, without an auction. It started with the 3900–3980 MHz band and was extended to 27.5–28.35 GHz in March 2025 (SPB-001-25). In July 2026, ISED published SPB-005-26, an addendum that applies the framework to 24.25–25.1 GHz, following its decision to repurpose the 26 GHz band (SPB-003-26).
SRSP-522 is the technical companion to those policy decisions. It sets the power, antenna height and coexistence rules that NCL licensees must follow, and it tells equipment makers which radio standard applies.
Key Changes in the Canada ISED SRSP-522 26 GHz Draft
A new 26 GHz NCLL band
The draft adds 24.25–25.1 GHz as the "26 GHz NCLL band". It's split into 17 unpaired 50 MHz blocks (BB1 to BB17) for time division duplexing (TDD) systems, mirroring the 17 blocks of the 28 GHz band. Blocks can be aggregated. SPB-005-26 caps each licensee at 400 MHz in any licensed area of this band.
Same power and area limits
The draft applies the 28 GHz limits to both bands:
Licence type | Max e.i.r.p. | Outdoor antenna height | Area per licence |
Low power | 52 dBm/100 MHz | 15 m | Up to 1 km² |
High power | 75 dBm/100 MHz | 50 m | 5 to 50 km² |
Indoor-only blocks next to radionavigation
Radionavigation keeps priority in 24.45–24.65 GHz. Blocks BB5 to BB8 in that range are licensed for indoor-only use, and only where no other 26 GHz block can be licensed in the area. They're on a no-protection, no-interference basis, so a licensee may have to reduce power, move or shut down if a conflict arises. The draft adds a definition of indoor-only operations: equipment in locations completely enclosed by permanent walls and a ceiling.
Edge blocks and earth stations
Blocks AA1, AA2, BB16 and BB17, which sit next to the Upper 26 GHz band (25.1–27.5 GHz), also operate on a no-protection basis relative to flexible use services there. Coexistence with radiolocation-satellite and fixed satellite earth stations is handled by the automated licensing system on a first-come, first-served basis.
Equipment and airborne use
Equipment used under NCL licences in both bands must be certified to the latest issue of RSS-193, which the draft refers to as covering 24.25–28.35 GHz and 37.6–40 GHz. Airborne operations, such as drones, aren't permitted in either band.
What This Means for Manufacturers
Makers of mmWave base stations, small cells, fixed wireless and customer equipment get a second NCL band in Canada, aimed at private and local networks.
Products will need RSS-193 certification covering 24.25–25.1 GHz. ISED's standards list still shows RSS-193 for 27.5–28.35 GHz only, so the timing of the wider RSS-193 is to be confirmed.
Indoor products are the natural fit for blocks BB5–BB8, but those blocks are a last resort and carry no protection.
There's no rush to market: SPB-005-26 says ISED won't issue 26 GHz NCL licences until existing fixed Tier 3 licences expire on 31 March 2029.
Equipment for the US market should note that Canada–US coordination arrangements for these bands are still under negotiation.
Certification Impact Summary
Area | Before (Issue 1) | After (draft Issue 2) | Impact level |
Bands covered | 27.5–28.35 GHz | 24.25–25.1 GHz and 27.5–28.35 GHz | High |
Power, height, area limits | Low and high power classes | Unchanged, applied to both bands | Low |
Indoor-only operation | Not defined | Defined; BB5–BB8 indoor-only | Medium |
Equipment standard | RSS-193 (27.5–28.35 GHz) | Latest RSS-193 (24.25–28.35 GHz and 37.6–40 GHz); update to be confirmed | High |
Airborne use | Not eligible at 28 GHz | Not permitted in either band | Low |
Licensing start | 28 GHz open | 26 GHz after Tier 3 licences expire (31 March 2029) | Medium |
Timeline and Required Actions
Key Dates
Date | Milestone |
September 2025 | SRSP-522 Issue 1 published (27.5–28.35 GHz) |
July 2026 | SPB-005-26 extends NCL licensing to 24.25–25.1 GHz |
21 October 2026 | Draft SRSP-522 Issue 2 released for comment |
15 January 2027 | Comments due |
31 March 2029 | Fixed Tier 3 licences expire; 26 GHz NCL licensing can start after this |
Required Actions for Manufacturers
Check whether your mmWave radios and customer equipment support 24.25–25.1 GHz with TDD.
Review the power, indoor-only and edge-block rules against your product designs.
Follow the RSS-193 update and plan certification for the 26 GHz band once it's published.
Send any comments on the draft by 15 January 2027.
Talk to customers planning private networks in Canada about the 2029 licensing timeline.
Conclusion
Draft SRSP-522 Issue 2 gives Canada's local licensing model a second mmWave band and sets the rules equipment will have to meet in it. Licences won't be issued in the 26 GHz band before 2029, which gives manufacturers time to plan RSS-193 certification and comment on the draft now. Contact our team for support with ISED certification.
