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Demand for wireless technology
has grown, largely due to increased Internet usage. Because of this,
increased amounts of data are being placed on wireless frequencies,
which has necessitated the creation of regulations to enable fair
sharing of wireless frequencies between all users and wireless technology
types. The policies regarding frequency
division are evolving, however Spectrum
Management Advisory Group publishes updated information regarding
frequency allocation policy.
Frequencies in Canada are either licensed, or
unlicensed. Industry Canada looks after the licenced wireless frequencies,
and licences within this regulated band can be quite expensive.
Within the licensed spectrum, specific frequencies are set aside
for specific purposes. For example, 2.5GHz is set aside for Educational
purposes.
Usage within the unlicenced bands is cheaper,
however the power of the actual devices that can be used within
these bands is regulated. Because of the power regulation, it means
that there is a trade-off between the speed and the distance that
the data can be transmitted by one device without additional wireless
"hops." By "power regulation" it means that
the amount of amplification of the signal given out by a given device
is limited. If compared to a human voice, power regulation would
mean that some devices in the licenced range may be allowed, by
regulation, to "shout", whereas other devices in the non-licen
ed range, are allowed, by regulation, only to "whisper."
Examples to illustrate power regulation within
the unlicensed spectrum are as follows:
- Portable phones - transmit at 915MHz (MegaHertz),
which allows them to transmit about 8 - 10 kilometres
- Some portable phones and microwaves transmit
at 2.4 GHz (GigaHertz), which allows them to transmit about 20Km.
(Note that this includes microwave ovens. If an older microwave
oven leaks, it may effect wireless data transmission.)
Further information on wireless broadband in
Canada, including specifics on devices and frequencies, is available
on the Industry Canada website. The following Industry Canada PDF
can also be found on this website and provides an excellent overview
of wireless broadband in Canada. "Understanding
Wireless Broadband Access" (Industry Canada PDF - 52KB).
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