In July 2025, ISED published a new version of RSS-247. This document defines how Wi-Fi devices can operate in Canada. The changes are important and they affect how we design, deploy and operate Wi-Fi networks in the 5 GHz band.
This post is a quick overview. The two illustrations below tell most of the story. Take your time to look at them carefully. Feel free to download them and keep them handy.
5 GHz Channels Available in Canada
This illustration shows all the 5 GHz channels available for Wi-Fi in Canada, with their bandwidth (20, 40, 80 and 160 MHz):
Download the 5 GHz channels in Canada (PDF, 61 kB)
5 GHz Regulations in Canada
This illustration shows the rules that apply to each sub-band: Tx Power, EIRP, EIRP Spectral Density, and additional requirements (DFS, TPC, license, etc.):
Download the 5 GHz regulations in Canada (PDF, 90 kB)
The Changes
- 5150–5250 MHz: no outdoor use anymore. UNII-1 is now indoor only (without a license).
- 5150–5250 MHz: license required for high power and outdoor use. A HPOD license is now mandatory when used outdoor and with EIRP > 200mW.
- Channels 120, 124 and 128 are now available. More DFS channels to use in our designs.
- 5850–5895 MHz is now open for Wi-Fi. A new band at the end of the 5 GHz band is now available to be used in Canada.
- Channels 144 and 169 sit between two sub-bands. We must apply the most restrictive rule of the two.
Why This Matters
In practice, two points stand out for most Wi-Fi engineers in Canada.The main impact, is on channels 36, 40, 44 and 48 (5150–5250 MHz) used outdoor: if these channels are currently deployed outdoor in your network, you will either need to apply for a HPOD license to keep using them, or stop using them outdoor and move your outdoor APs to other channels.
The second point is about the new channels (120, 124, 128, 169, 173 and 177): even if they are now legally available, It might be safer not to use them yet in enterprise Wi-Fi networks, as not all client devices support them today. Using them could create coverage issues for some users.
If you design, deploy or operate Wi-Fi networks in Canada, you need to be aware of these changes. Feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions.
What Is Next in This Series
This post is the overview. Each topic above will be covered in its own short post:
- UNII-1 (5150–5250 MHz): new outdoor and licensing rules
- 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