What you'll find in this help

These help pages should provide all the information you need to either apply for a radiocommunication microwave licence, or search Industry Canada's Assignment and Licensing System (ALS) database.

The help can be accessed in a number of ways:

• By clicking the Help button on a black page heading bar on the interior of the site, you will be brought to the topic that provides an overview of the page from which you accessed the help. The topic provides links to detailed descriptions of each section of the page.
• By clicking the Help button on a olive section heading bar within the page, you will be brought to the topic that describes that section in detail.
• By clicking the Contents link on the main contents page of the site, you will be brought to the contents page of the help. From there, you can access any section or topic within the help.

Once you have accessed the help, each topic provides navigation buttons and links to move to other topics. Also, the main sections in the help are available as links on the left of the page.

For help on land mobile applications, refer to our new Land Mobile Applications On-line Help.

Help Sections

Information in this help file has been organized into the following sections:

• Important Notices
  Refer to this section for a list of recommended or required software, or if you are having problems with the site. This section also contains information on security of the site, and describes recent changes to the site.

• About this Help
  This section contains topics that describe the audience for this help file, along with a description of all of the sections of the help file, and how to access them. Also, you'll find other information available to support your use of the site, and a list of contacts at the Department to help you deal with specific issues related to the Spectrum Direct site.
• The Licensing Process
  In this section you'll learn about the Spectrum Management organization -- who we are, and what our role is in the management of Canada's radio spectrum -- and about radiocommunication licensing in general. We'll also help you determine if you require a licence for your planned use of radio spectrum. If you've determined that you do require a licence, read this section to learn the components of an on-line radiocommunication licence application, and how those components fit together to form a complete application. You'll find a step-by-step description of the on-line application process, and hints and tips for when each component should be completed to help you plan the schedule of your application process. Finally, you'll find a link to a detailed description of radiocommunication licensing fees.
• Getting Started
  In this section, you'll learn how to apply for and obtain a Web Profile account, which will grant you access to the licence application and account information areas of Spectrum Direct. You'll find out what information you need to gather before conducting a search, or applying for a licence, and you'll also be told what information and software you'll need to have in order to access the secure application areas of the site.
• The Radio Frequency Database
  This section discusses the ALS database, and provides information on the specific data you can find in ALS. It also details the procedure for gaining download access to the entire database (except protected information), and discusses how the data is stored in ALS.
• How do I?...
  Go to this section for step-by-step instructions for most of the procedures you'll use while searching the ALS database or applying on-line for a radiocommunication licence. You'll learn how to:
  • Get an account
  • Apply for a licence
  • Conduct radio frequency searches
  • Modify an application in progress
  • Print an application/invoice
  • Browse and search account information
  • Get help
  • Licence Applications: Forms and Fields
    This section describes every page used to used to create, edit, and submit applications for radiocommunication licences.
  • Radio Frequency (TAFL) Search: Forms and Fields
    This section will help you to use the search tools provided on the site that allow users to access non-protected technical radio frequency data in Industry Canada's ALS Database.
  • Account Information: Forms and Fields
    In this section, you'll find help on the forms used to browse your ALS accounts, including your licences, frequencies, and invoices.
  • Invoice Payment: Forms and Fields
    Here you'll find information on the forms used to pay Industry Canada Radio Licence invoices on-line.
  • Web Profile: Forms and Fields
    Here you'll find help on the forms and fields to create and maintain a Web profile, and to review information about your user account.
  • Security and Encryption
    This section explains security issues in general, and gives links to the Government of Canada's security policy. You will also find information on Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption.
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    Look here for answers to the most common questions received at the Department about the Spectrum Direct site and about the licensing process in general.