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Ottawa, 9 July 2013

Mr. Bhupinder Bola (OBCI)
4 Island Grove
Brampton, Ontario
L6X 0W6

BY E-MAIL: pipbola@rogers.com

Re: Hybrid-Digital (HD) radio experiment in Markham, Ontario (Reference number 613536)

Dear Mr. Bola:

This is in response to your email of 6 February 2013, in which you request the authority to experiment with digital radio on the 105.9 MHz frequency (channel 290A) using the Hybrid-digital Radio™ (HD Radio) technology as part of your approved service in Markham, Ontario (Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-487). You indicate that you would be using two digital channels (HD1 and HD2) to rebroadcast, on a time-shifting basis, the programming to be provided on your Markham analog radio station.

The Commission notes that digital radio has been adopted in a number of other jurisdictions and considers that the Canadian broadcasting system may benefit from the adoption of this technology. The Commission acknowledges the important role that broadcasters play in the development of new technologies. Consequently, provided that the Department of Industry’s technical requirements are met, the Commission considers that you may undertake a temporary experimentation, by broadcasting the programming described in your proposal.

In the CRTC Three-Year Plan 2013-2016, the Commission announced that it would review its Commercial Radio Policy in 2013-2014, and that through this review process, it could address the deployment of terrestrial digital technologies. The Commission invites Bola to submit its written comments regarding the issues and questions raised by digital radio technologies in that context. Your application and a copy of this letter will be made available for public examination as part of this process.

The trial period will expire on 31 December 2014, date at which the above-mentioned review process should be complete. At that time, should you wish to continue to operate a digital radio service on the side bands of your Markham station, you may be required to file any document requested by the Commission in which you confirm your intention to continue offering your HD Radio service, in conformity with the new policies set out by the Commission, if any.

Should you not wish to continue digital broadcasting on HD Radio, you will be required to submit a letter in which you confirm the date when you will have ceased any HD Radio broadcasting.

You are reminded that this is a temporary authority which should not be considered as an indication of how the Commission may rule on such applications in the future.

In order for the Commission to be informed of the opportunities and impacts of HD Radio technology, the Commission requests that you inform it by letter of the date on which you will begin broadcasting on the digital channels. The Commission also requires that you submit a report of your findings within 60 days of the completion of the first six months of experimentation.

 

Sincerely,

Original signed by:

John Traversy
Secretary General

c.c. Line Perron
Director
Regulatory and Program Planning
Industry Canada

Gwen Buck
Application and Certification Officer
Broadcasting, Emergency Telecom and
Space Services
Industry Canada

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