How much funding can be received?

The Developmental Licence Playbook provides innovators in Canada with temporary access to wireless spectrum for testing new technologies and services across sectors such as health care, transportation, smart cities, and more. While the program does not specify a maximum funding amount, it enables eligible research and technology advancement activities by granting developmental licences for up to one year, renewable, with certain licence categories offered at no cost.

Financing terms and conditions

Fees for developmental radio licences are determined by the Radiocommunication Regulations and are adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Updated fees can be found on the Spectrum and telecommunications fees web page.
No fees currently apply to developmental spectrum licences.
Developmental earth/mobile satellite licences are subject to the fee schedule described in the Guidelines for the Submission of Applications to Provide Mobile Satellite Services in Canada.

Eligible projects & activities

Testing and validation of new wireless technologies and services.
Deployment and assessment of fixed and mobile radio systems using innovative equipment.
Piloting advanced mobile, IoT, and smart city solutions using wireless spectrum.
Trialing satellite technology or earth/space station systems for communication advancements.
Conducting research-oriented trials in sectors such as healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, public safety, and academic research.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 500,000

Establishing a wireless communication network for manufacturing

$ 350,000

Implementing wireless satellite technology in remote health care centers

$ 250,000

Testing new land mobile wireless systems for public safety

$ 500,000

Testing an innovative smart city wireless network

$ 450,000

Creating a wireless network for smart agriculture

$ 300,000

Developing a wireless communication system for smart transportation

Eligibility criteria of the Developmental Licence Playbook program

The project must relate to research and development activities.
The project must focus on advancing technology.
The project must have a defined, limited duration.
The project must not interfere with current or anticipated systems.
The project must not be used for a commercial trial involving financial cost recovery from users.

Who is eligible?

Wireless technology innovators
Companies developing new communication services
Organizations involved in research and development of wireless systems
Businesses creating solutions in sectors such as health care, transportation, smart cities, manufacturing, agriculture, or public safety
Academic and research institutes testing wireless technologies or satellite systems

Who is not eligible

Projects intended for commercial trials involving financial cost recovery from users.

Eligible expenses

Fees for developmental radio licences as set out in the Radiocommunication Regulations (covering all authorized transmit and receive frequencies for each station).
Fees for developmental earth/mobile satellite licences as per the specified fee schedule in the Guidelines for the Submission of Applications to Provide Mobile Satellite Services in Canada.

Eligible geographic areas

All regions within Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Developmental Licence Playbook program

The project must relate to research and development activities.
The project must focus on advancing technology.
The testing or trial must be time-limited.
The project must not interfere with current or anticipated systems.
The project must not be used for a commercial trial that involves financial cost recovery from users.

How to apply to the Developmental Licence Playbook program

Complete Letter of Intent

Access the Letter of Intent form on the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) website.
Provide detailed information about your testing plan, including project objectives, timelines, and technical specifications.

Submit Letter of Intent

Submit the completed Letter of Intent through the ISED website.

Assessment of Intent

ISED will review your submitted Letter of Intent.
ISED will communicate with you to ensure the issuance of a suitable licence for your testing activity.

Payment and Issuance of Licence

Pay the associated fees for the licence, depending on the type of testing.
Receive the developmental licence from ISED.

Conduct Testing

Proceed with the testing activities under the conditions specified in the licence.

Renewal and Submission of Test Results

Renew the licence if the conditions continue to be met and if needed.
Optionally submit the results of your testing to ISED to help them evolve their technology framework.

Additional information

Developmental licences are generally granted for up to one year and may be renewed if conditions continue to be met.
No fees currently apply to developmental spectrum licences.
Applicants are invited, on a voluntary basis, to submit final test results upon completion of the trial.
All project technical information provided at the time of application is held in confidence by ISED.