Two channels in the 5 GHz band deserve special attention: channel 144 and channel 169. Both sit at the boundary between two sub-bands, meaning part of their spectrum falls under one set of rules and part under another. The principle that applies in both cases is simple: the most restrictive rule wins.
Download the 5 GHz channels in Canada (PDF, 61 kB)
Download the 5 GHz regulations in Canada (PDF, 90 kB)
Channel 144: Straddling 5725 MHz
Channel 144 has a center frequency of 5720 MHz and a 20 MHz footprint from 5710 to 5730 MHz. The boundary at 5725 MHz splits this channel across two bands:
- 5710-5725 MHz falls in the 5470-5725 MHz band (DFS required).
- 5725-5730 MHz falls in the 5725-5850 MHz band (DFS not required).
Because the DFS requirement is more restrictive, it applies to the entire channel. The most restrictive rule wins. There is no exception for the 5 MHz slice that crosses into the non-DFS band.
| Parameter | 5710–5725 MHz | 5725–5730 MHz | Applies to channel 144 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band | 5470–5725 MHz | 5725–5850 MHz | — |
| DFS required | Yes | No | Yes |
| Max conducted power | 250 mW | 1 W | 250 mW |
| Max EIRP | 1 W | 4 W | 1 W |
Channel 144 is the anchor for the third 80 MHz block in the upper 5 GHz range (channels 132, 136, 140, 144). Without it, that 80 MHz block cannot be used. In some environments, 80 MHz can be a valid option. In those cases, channel 144 is required to access this third block.
Channel 169: Straddling 5850 MHz
Channel 169 has a center frequency of 5845 MHz and a 20 MHz footprint from 5835 to 5855 MHz. The boundary at 5850 MHz splits it across:
- 5835-5850 MHz in the 5725–5850 MHz band.
- 5850-5855 MHz in the 5850–5895 MHz band.
The key difference here is not DFS, neither band requires it. The constraint is the outdoor elevation mask that applies in the 5850-5895 MHz band. Because part of channel 169 crosses into that band, the elevation mask applies to the entire channel when used outdoors.
| Parameter | 5835–5850 MHz | 5850–5855 MHz | Applies to channel 169 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band | 5725–5850 MHz | 5850–5895 MHz | — |
| DFS required | No | No | No |
| Max EIRP (outdoor) | 4 W | 4 W | 4 W |
| Elevation mask (above 30°) | Not required | 125 mW max | 125 mW max |
Channel 169 is the gateway to the fourth 80 MHz block in the 5 GHz band: channel 171 (5815–5895 MHz), which groups channels 165, 169, 173 and 177. This 80 MHz block was simply not possible before the 5850–5895 MHz band opened in Canada. As with channel 144, this is most relevant in specific environments where 80 MHz channels are viable, not in typical enterprise deployments.
For outdoor deployments using channel 169 or the 80 MHz channel 171, the elevation mask is mandatory. This needs to be verified at the equipment level, not all APs expose elevation mask compliance as a configurable parameter.
Should You Use These Channels Now?
Channel 144 is a mature channel that has been in RSS-247 for some time. DFS-capable equipment widely supports it. If your gear handles DFS on the 5470–5725 MHz channels, channel 144 should work. Include it in your designs where an extra 80 MHz block is needed. One caveat: channel 144 is not authorized in all countries, so devices certified for other regulatory domains may not scan it. If your environment receives devices from around the world, such as an airport, a hotel, or a conference venue, be cautious about using it as a primary channel, as some visiting devices may simply not discover a network on it.
Channel 169 is newer and tied to the recently opened 5850–5895 MHz band. Client device support is still limited. I would not recommend using channel 169 or the 80 MHz channel 171 in production networks yet. Wait for broader client support before deploying them.
The Rest of the Series
This post is the fifth one from the series. Here are links to the other ones:
- Updated 5 GHz Wi-Fi Regulations in Canada (RSS-247, July 2025)
- 5150–5250 MHz: new outdoor & licensing rules
- New DFS channels unlocked: 120, 124 and 128
- 5850–5895 MHz is now Wi-Fi spectrum in Canada
- 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 4, July 2025) – Digital Transmission Systems, Local Area Network Devices, and Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint Equipment Operating in Licence-Exempt Frequency Bands