This section details the steps involved in a microwave licence application, and provides some helpful strategies for application preparation and submission.

The Typical Web Application Process

A complete microwave licence application has many components, but two principal parts: the letter of intent, and the licence application. Generally, the process to be followed is:

1. Prepare and submit the letter of intent.

The letter of intent provides the Department with a summary of the needs and objectives of the applicant. It is part of every licence application.

If you would like to determine whether the application is acceptable in principle, you can simply complete, save, and submit the letter of intent without appending technical information. (Optionally, if you feel that the application will not incur issues with spectrum utilization policies, you can submit all technical information related to the application with the letter of intent.)

Upon receipt, the Department will review the letter of intent, and respond with a decision. The response to the letter of intent, displayed on the Microwave Application List page, will be either "Approved in Principle" or "Rejected". If the letter of intent is approved in principle, the applicant can complete and submit a full licence application (with a new letter of intent).

2. Perform all required studies and analyses, and design the system.

Once the letter of intent has been approved in principle, the investment required to actually design the system can be made more confidently. While designing the system and performing the required studies, use the various radio frequency search tools on the site to determine if the required frequencies are available. These tools will also reveal if coordination with other carriers (including protected carriers) is required, to ensure non-interference.

3. Submit the licence application.

Once the system is designed, and the specific frequencies identified, the complete licence application can be submitted.

In cases where municipal, environmental, or other studies are required, the application cannot be submitted for approval by the Department until you can attest that these required studies have been satisfactorily completed. Once the studies are complete, complete the attestation area, then submit the completed licence application.

Upon receipt of the completed and attested licence application, the Department will perform any required U.S. coordination. Approval of the application typically takes place immediately upon receipt of a satisfactory response from the U.S. on coordination issues. (U.S. coordination typically takes approximately six weeks from date of submission to the U.S.)

Issues to Consider

The approach you take to the licence application process will doubtless be impacted by:

• the complexity of your application,
• the associated cost of designing the physical system, and
• your experience with the application process.

For applications that are straightforward, however, or that you feel in your experience will be approved without issue, you can combine all of the steps above for a single submission. That is, you can design your site, perform any required studies, frequency searches, and domestic coordination, and prepare and submit the letter of intent and licence application, and all associated components at the same time.

As an applicant, you will need to weigh the risks involved in proceeding with potentially expensive design without first obtaining approval in principle of your proposed use. Approval of the letter of intent/licence application package can potentially take less than one month, if:

• no U.S. coordination is required,
• the frequency is available and doesn't cause interference, and
• all studies have been completed and attested.