CanWISP and BCBA Secure Key Policy Shift on Rural Spectrum Use in 3.9 GHz Band
April 2026The Canadian Association of Wireless Internet Service Providers (CanWISP), alongside the BC Broadband Association (BCBA), have successfully advocated for meaningful changes to Canada’s 3.9 GHz spectrum policy, delivering a clear win for rural connectivity. Following sustained engagement with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the department has confirmed updates to the Non-Competitive Local (NCL) licensing framework that will allow up to 40 MHz of spectrum to be licensed in rural and remote Tier 5 service areas, double the current limit.
Policy Change Reflects Rural Reality
This outcome directly responds to concerns raised by CanWISP and BCBA members, who have long identified that the existing 20 MHz channel restriction was ill-suited to rural deployments.
In its joint submission with BCBA, CanWISP emphasized that:
- Rural Tier 5 areas are typically spectrum-rich and interference-light, unlike congested urban markets
- Artificially small channel sizes limit network performance and increase costs
- Greater flexibility is essential to support scalable, economically viable rural broadband infrastructure
Implementation Timeline and Next Steps
Please see the updated SAB-03-25 — Notice of amendment to spectrum limit condition of licence in the 3900 MHz band under the non-competitive local (NCL) licensing framework. While the policy change is significant, implementation is expected in early 2027 as ISED completes the necessary system updates to support the new licensing approach. In the interim, operators can continue to apply for 20 MHz licences, allowing ongoing deployment and planning to move forward. CanWISP appreciates ISED’s efforts to evolve the framework in a thoughtful and deliberate manner. The clear direction toward greater flexibility provides valuable certainty for rural operators, and we look forward to the enhanced capabilities this change will enable once implemented.
Equipment Ecosystem Still a Barrier
The associations also continue to press on the issue of equipment availability. Even where spectrum policy improves, deployment is constrained if vendor ecosystems do not align. ISED has acknowledged these concerns and indicated it will encourage vendor support, though structural limitations remain.
Advocacy That Delivers Results
This decision demonstrates the impact of coordinated, evidence-based advocacy. By bringing forward real-world operational challenges from rural network operators, CanWISP and BCBA have helped drive a policy adjustment that better reflects on-the-ground conditions.
However, this is not the finish line.
CanWISP will continue to advocate for:
- Faster implementation timelines
- Greater flexibility across additional spectrum bands
- Policies that prioritize rural-first deployment realities, not urban assumptions
The ability to access wider channels in the 3.9 GHz band will ultimately mean better performance, lower costs, and more sustainable networks for rural Canadians. But continued progress will depend on maintaining momentum. CanWISP remains committed to ensuring that spectrum policy evolves in a way that fully supports the providers building and operating networks in Canada’s hardest-to-serve communities.