Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada has officially rescheduled the auction for 26 GHz and 38 GHz mmWave spectrum to January 25, 2028. The update includes a revised timeline for all licensing, application, and mock auction milestones for the affected bands.
The multi-year delay for the 26 GHz and 38 GHz bands stalls the deployment of high-capacity, low-latency wireless infrastructure essential for dense urban streaming and live event broadcasting. For the streaming ecosystem, this postponement limits the immediate availability of ultra-wideband 5G, which is critical for delivering 8K video and immersive AR/VR content at scale. The shift suggests a cooling of immediate regulatory urgency or a need for further technical alignment with satellite protection zones. Industry observers should monitor the July 2027 deadline for Tier 3 license transitions as the next indicator of carrier readiness for these high-frequency bands.
In May 2026, ISED released its Policy and Licensing Framework for the 26 GHz and 38 GHz bands, establishing the regulatory foundation for the auction that has now been rescheduled to January 2028. The framework designates 4.8 GHz of mmWave spectrum for flexible use and introduces measures to promote competition, including spectrum caps per bidder and small licence areas that allow operators to acquire targeted geographic coverage. ISED also confirmed that an additional 850 MHz in the 26 GHz band will be made available through a separate non-competitive licensing process, expanding the total mmWave opportunity beyond the auction itself.
The revised timeline published on June 16, 2026 sets the auction start date at October 19, 2027, with application deadlines in July 2027 and mock auctions beginning in September 2027. The Government of Canada framed the auction as essential for supporting 5G innovation and future 6G technologies, noting that mmWave spectrum can carry large amounts of data over short distances for applications including industrial automation, smart agriculture, private networks, and fixed wireless in rural and remote communities. The government simultaneously announced modernization of its tower siting process, proposing a standardized digital approval workflow with a publicly accessible online portal.
TERAGO, which holds approximately 91% of Canada's existing mmWave spectrum in the 24 GHz and 38 GHz bands, welcomed the framework as providing regulatory clarity for its fixed wireless and enterprise connectivity operations. The company noted that existing fixed service licences will remain valid until March 31, 2029, giving current licensees a multi-year transition period to evolve their networks toward flexible use. ISED's framework permits existing Tier 3 licensees who meet new conditions to transition their holdings to flexible use licences, with a transition application deadline of April 19, 2027.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada has rescheduled the 26 GHz and 38 GHz mmWave spectrum auction to January 25, 2028. This multi-year delay stalls the deployment of high-capacity 5G infrastructure, potentially limiting the immediate availability of ultra-wideband connectivity required for 8K video streaming and immersive AR/VR content delivery.
The auction for the 26 GHz and 38 GHz bands is now scheduled to commence on January 25, 2028.
The delay postpones the deployment of high-capacity, low-latency wireless infrastructure, which is essential for supporting 8K video streaming and immersive AR/VR content at scale.
Applications for existing Tier 3 licensees to transition to flexible use Tier 5 licences are due by July 26, 2027.
TERAGO holds approximately 91% of Canada's existing mmWave spectrum in the 24 GHz and 38 GHz bands and has welcomed the regulatory framework for providing clarity on its operations.
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