The 5150–5250 MHz band contains channels 36, 40, 44 and 48. It is one of the most used bands in Wi-Fi networks. With the new version of RSS-247 (Issue 4, July 2025), the rules around outdoor use and high power have been clarified by ISED.
This post goes deeper into this specific band and answers one simple question: do you need a license to use these channels, and if yes, how do you get it?
What Has Changed?
The big change is not really about the standard indoor use. Standard Wi-Fi in 5150–5250 MHz has always been indoor only at a maximum of 200 mW EIRP, and this is still the case in RSS-247 Issue 4.
Download the 5 GHz regulations in Canada (PDF, 90 kB)
What has been clarified is the outdoor and high power path. ISED has formalized that, if you want to use these channels outdoor or above 200 mW EIRP, you must follow a different framework: the HPOD (High Power Outdoor Devices) spectrum license under the R1 license category, based on the SMSE-013-17 decision.
In other words, the band now has two clear ways to be used:
- License-exempt (standard Wi-Fi) for indoor only, low power (under an EIRP of 200 mW).
- Licensed (HPOD) for outdoor and higher power usage.
Option 1 – Standard Wi-Fi (License-Exempt)
This is what 99% of deployments will use: off-the-shelf APs, laptops, smartphones, home routers, etc.
The rules are defined in RSS-247 Issue 4, Section 7.3.1:
- Indoor use only (including inside trains).
- Max EIRP: 200 mW (23 dBm).
- Max EIRP Spectral Density: 10 dBm/MHz.
- No license required.
- Special case: In-vehicle Wi-Fi installed by the vehicle manufacturer (OEM) is allowed, but limited to 30 mW EIRP.
If your deployment fits in this category, you do not need to ask for anything. You just use the equipment as designed.
Option 2 – High Power & Outdoor (Hpod, Licensed)
If you need to use these channels outdoor, or above 200 mW EIRP (for example for a point-to-point bridge, a campus-wide outdoor network, or a large outdoor deployment), then you must apply for a spectrum license.
The rules are defined in SMSE-013-17 and the R1 spectrum license:
- Outdoor use is allowed.
- Max EIRP: up to 4 W (36 dBm).
- Max power spectral density: 17 dBm/MHz for all device types
- A spectrum license (R1 / HPOD) is mandatory.
- The equipment must comply with strict elevation mask rules. The antenna cannot point too much power up toward the sky, to protect satellites.
- The equipment must be certified for HPOD use.
Technical limits
| Type of device | Max conducted power | Max antenna gain | Vertical elevation mask (from horizon) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor | 1 W | 6 dBi | Max 125 mW EIRP above 30° |
| Indoor | 1 W | 6 dBi | N/A |
| Point-to-point system | 1 W | 23 dBi | Max 125 mW EIRP above 30° |
How to Apply for the Hpod License
The R1 license is issued by ISED. Key facts:
- Eligible applicants: businesses and government organizations only.
- Cost: free of charge for standard HPOD deployments.
- Validity: expires March 31 annually and must renew each year.
Application process
- Confirm eligibility (business or government only).
- Verify equipment is certified for HPOD/R1. Not all enterprise APs qualify.
- Check ISED database for licensed earth stations within 25 km; coordinate if needed.
- Submit the R1 license application to your nearest ISED regional/district office (see RIC-66 for office list). Use the sample form in Annex C of CPC-2-1-23 and include a description of your intended radiocommunication services or business/government use.
- Renew before March 31 each year.
- Keep a device inventory (location + technical specs) available for ISED on request.
Recommendation
For most Wi-Fi deployments in Canada, the simplest path is to keep channels 36, 40, 44 and 48 for indoor use only, and to use other channels for outdoor APs. This avoids the licensing process completely and keeps the design simple.
The licensed HPOD path is mostly relevant for specific use cases: long outdoor point-to-point links, large outdoor coverage projects, or industrial deployments where these channels are required.
If you are not sure which path applies to your project, feel free to reach out to us. We will be happy to help you decide.
The Rest of the Series
This post is the second one from the seires. Here are links to the other ones:
- Updated 5 GHz Wi-Fi Regulations in Canada (RSS-247, July 2025)
- New DFS channels unlocked: 120, 124 and 128
- The 5850-5895 MHz band is now Wi-Fi spectrum in Canada
- The channel 144 and 169 case: when channels cross sub-bands
- What this means for Wi-Fi engineers: a practical checklist
Resources
All the information in this post is based on the official ISED documents. You can find them here:
- RSS-247 (Issue 3, July 2025) – Digital Transmission Systems, Local Area Network Devices, and Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint Equipment Operating in Licence-Exempt Frequency Bands
- SMSE-013-17 – Decision on the Technical and Policy Framework for Radio Local Area Network Devices Operating in the 5150-5250 MHz Frequency Band
- R1 – Spectrum Licence issued for High Power Radio Local Area Networks (RLANs) Devices, Indoor and Outdoor, Operating in the Band 5150-5250 MHz
- CPC-2-1-23 – Licensing Procedure for Spectrum Licences for Terrestrial Services
- RIC-66 – Addresses and Telephone Numbers of ISED Regional and District Offices