Satellite and Earth-Station Spectrum Fees

Summary#

This Canada Gazette notice lists a batch of federal appointments and announces two new fee orders from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. The fee orders set annual and prorated charges for radio spectrum licences used by space stations and earth stations, taking effect April 1, 2023 (space stations) and October 1, 2023 (earth stations).

What it does#

• Lists appointments to federal boards, commissions and courts (many individual names and positions are shown). These are routine government appointments.
• Introduces Notice No. SMSE-001-23 — Fee order for space stations:
  • Annual fee for most space-station licences is the assigned spectrum multiplied by $124.84/MHz.
  • For non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) constellations there are two phased fees: $62.42/MHz up to the full-deployment deadline, then $124.84/MHz thereafter.
  • Flat fees: amateur-service space stations and developmental space station licences are $300 per year.
  • A minimum annual fee of $300 applies per assigned frequency band when the calculated fee would be lower.
  • Fees apply once a satellite is deployed; licences for already-deployed satellites are billed immediately.
  • Prorated fees use 1/12th of the annual fee per calendar month (any part of a month counts as a full month). The licensing year runs from April 1 to March 31.
• Introduces Notice No. SMSE-002-23 — Fee order for earth stations:
  • For earth stations that need individual site approval, annual fees are the assigned spectrum multiplied by band-specific base rates:
    • ≤ 1 GHz: $2,000/MHz

    • 1 GHz and ≤ 3.4 GHz: $100/MHz

    • 3.4 GHz and ≤ 7.075 GHz: $20/MHz

    • 7.075 GHz and ≤ 17.3 GHz: $10/MHz

    • 17.3 GHz and ≤ 51.4 GHz: $5/MHz

    • 51.4 GHz: $1/MHz

  • For generic fixed, transportable and earth stations in motion (ESIMs): $5/MHz.
  • For mobile earth stations: ≤ 3.0 GHz: $1,500/MHz; > 3.0 GHz: $5/MHz.
  • Flat fees: amateur telemetry/telecommand and radio-astronomy earth stations are $160 per year.
  • Developmental earth-station licences have a flat fee of $160.
  • A minimum annual fee of $160 applies per assigned frequency band when the calculated fee would be lower.
  • Prorating rules are the same as for space stations (monthly 1/12th basis). The earth-station fees take effect October 1, 2023.

Who's affected#

• Companies that operate or plan to operate satellites or satellite constellations (commercial satellite operators).
• Companies and organizations that run earth stations: broadcasters, satellite internet providers, mobile-satellite service providers, and other telecom operators.
• Amateur radio satellite operators and radio-astronomy sites (noted flat fees apply).
• Researchers and startups using developmental licences for testing or demonstrations.
• The broader public could see indirect effects if service providers pass fees into prices. The Gazette notice does not estimate the total cost impact on specific companies or customers.

Why it matters#

• These orders put clear, band- and service-specific prices on the radio spectrum used for space and ground satellite operations. That changes a routine operating cost for satellite and earth-station operators.
• The NGSO phased fee gives a lower initial fee ($62.42/MHz) during early deployment, which could help new constellations in their roll-out phase.
• The banded rates for earth stations are much higher in some low-frequency ranges (for example $2,000/MHz below 1 GHz), which could affect the economics of services that depend on those bands.
• Developmental and amateur fees are kept low ($300 or $160), which keeps space and earth testing and hobby uses affordable.
• The notices replace older fee rules and set consistent, published fees that operators and planners can use to budget for licences.