The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada has published RSS-247 Issue 4, titled Digital Transmission Systems (DTSs), Frequency Hopping Systems (FHSSs), and Licence-Exempt Local Area Network (LE-LAN) Devices, on 24 July 2025.
This updated standard officially replaces Issue 3, introducing several key technical and procedural revisions for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth device manufacturers.
This is a friendly reminder that the transition period ends on 24 January 2026 — after this date, only products compliant with RSS-247 Issue 4 will be accepted for certification, import, distribution, or sale in Canada.
What Manufacturers Need to Know
If your products utilise Wi-Fi (DTS / LE-LAN) or Bluetooth (FHSS) technologies, this update directly affects your certification status and test documentation.
To remain compliant, manufacturers and suppliers should take the following actions:
Review existing certifications under Issue 3 and identify any potential technical or documentation gaps.
Re-test affected products following the ANSI C63.10-2020 measurement standard, covering key parameters such as output power, power spectral density (PSD), bandwidth, and out-of-band emissions (OOBE).
Update test reports and supporting documentation to align with Issue 4 requirements before the transition deadline.
Failure to transition by 24 January 2026 may result in certification delays or the inability to market affected devices in Canada.
Highlights of RSS-247 Issue 4
While the overall framework remains consistent with Issue 3, several technical areas have been revised, including:
Updated references to ANSI C63.10-2020 for measurement methods.
Clarified emission limits and reporting criteria for both DTS and FHSS devices.
Refined test conditions and channel bandwidth definitions.
Revised power spectral density and out-of-band emission requirements to align with current international practices.
These updates ensure better alignment with FCC standards and improve consistency across North American regulatory expectations. For more information, read the official notification below.
More detailed updates from RSS-247 are as follows:
1. Expanded Frequency Band Use — 5600-5650 MHz Now Allowed
One of the biggest changes: the previous prohibition on operation in the 5600–5650 MHz band has been removed. This opens up additional spectrum — notably extending opportunities for Wi-Fi and other license-exempt wireless devices to operate in that range, bringing Canadian rules more in line with international (e.g. US) practices.
2. Clearer Definitions & Better Structure
Issue 4 reorganises and clarifies the document structure:
Definitions formerly scattered (e.g. in section 7.3.5) are now consolidated into a dedicated definitions section.
The standard’s title now explicitly states the covered frequency ranges.
Requirements for Digital Transmission Systems (DTS), Frequency Hopping Systems (FHS), and hybrid systems are grouped by operating band (e.g. 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz), improving clarity for manufacturers and test labs.
3. Clarified Rules for Hybrid Devices & Combinations
Hybrid devices — those combining DTS and FHS functionality — are now clearly distinguished from devices that simply integrate separate modules. The certification requirements for hybrids have been clarified, ensuring their RF emissions and behavior comply under unified criteria.
4. Emissions & Unwanted Emissions Updated — Tighter Controls
Issue 4 revises unwanted-emission limits, especially for certain frequency bands (e.g. 5150–5250 MHz, 5250–5350 MHz). It also introduces new indoor-use labeling requirements for devices, helping mitigate interference risks in dense RF environments (e.g. residential/commercial indoor deployments).
5. Transmitter Power Control (TPC) & Reporting Requirements Updated
For devices implementing Transmitter Power Control, Issue 4 adds explicit reporting requirements. This helps ensure that devices dynamically adjust their output power as needed, reducing interference while preserving performance — a critical feature for many modern Wi-Fi and IoT devices.
6. Enhanced LE-LAN / Vehicle-Use Rules
For Licence-Exempt Local Area Network (LE-LAN) devices — such as Wi-Fi routers / access points — Issue 4 offers clarified guidelines, particularly for equipment intended for or capable of installation in vehicles. This is important for mobile or vehicular Wi-Fi / connectivity solutions.
7. Antenna / Directional Gain Calculation Simplified
The previous separate requirement for directional antenna gain calculations has been removed. Instead, antenna characteristics are now handled via standard test procedures under ANSI C63.10 and related guidelines, simplifying certification while maintaining compliance rigor.
At C-PRAV, we ensure your wireless products meet the latest ISED requirements with precision, efficiency, and confidence—keeping you ready for every market opportunity.
