Industry Canada's Spectrum Engineering Branch develops procedures, processes, and incentives that promote an economically efficient use of radio frequency spectrum. The Branch is responsible for bilateral and international negotiations for the shared use of the radio spectrum, multilateral mutual recognition agreements in conformity assessment, and the negotiation and implementation of telecommunications aspects of Canada's treaties with its trading partners. Spectrum Engineering provides engineering guidance on radio policy and licensing issues, including advice on technology and service evolution, deployment timing, international harmonization and potential for interference to existing and planned telecommunication and broadcasting services.

NPSTC's Governing Board and participants expect to learn more about how spectrum is managed in Canada, the various domestic challenges being faced in Canada, and how Industry Canada and the FCC work together and individually. Ms. Wharram will provide an overview of highlights related to public safety and radio spectrum use, the status of cross-border coordination efforts between Canada and the United States, and ongoing Industry Canada initiatives.

 

NPSTC is a volunteer council of 15 state and local public safety organizations recognized by the FCC as leaders and policymakers for the broader nationwide public safety communications community. In 2007 the organizations that make up NPSTC celebrated ten years of this important collaborative partnership that works to improve interoperability and public safety spectrum allocation. For more information on NPSTC, please visit www.npstc.org. To learn more about IC, visit www.ic.gc.ca.