Chairman Pai Signs Cross-Border Radio Frequency Spectrum Coordination Arrangement with Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai today signed an arrangement to implement a modernized framework for cross-border radio frequency spectrum coordination between the United States and Canada.  This Transitional Arrangement with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) facilitates the provisional application of the new General Coordination Agreement which the two countries signed earlier this week on January 12 and 13. The agreement on the use of the radio frequency spectrum by terrestrial and earth stations, after almost two decades of negotiations, modernizes the existing spectrum coordination framework.

“This agreement will improve our nations’ effectiveness in eliminating harmful interference along our shared border and enable rapid deployment of new communications services to consumers,” said Chairman Pai.  “We have long had a strong cooperative relationship with our northern neighbor, and this will only continue and further that success.  For communities along the border and cross-border travelers and businesses, this spectrum coordination is vital.  I thank our FCC team, our federal agency partners, and our friends in Canada for their hard work on this agreement.”

The FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), along with the Department of State, have led the negotiations and the spectrum management and coordination modernization effort.  The General Coordination Agreement and the Transitional Arrangement will enable the FCC, NTIA, and ISED to continue to facilitate rapid deployment of radio communications systems while minimizing harmful interference, as well as strengthen both countries’ ability to manage their spectrum resources efficiently and effectively along the United States-Canada border.

The modernized agreement supersedes, among other existing instruments, the Above 30 MHz Agreement which has not been updated since 1962 and restricted the types of arrangements available for spectrum coordination.  Under the new framework, the FCC, NTIA, and ISED will have flexibility to create and update spectrum coordination arrangements in response to rapidly evolving communications needs.  These decisions also ensure that all stations and frequencies coordinated prior to GCA’s entry in force maintain their coordinated status.

Source: FCC media announcement