Wi-Fi rules in Canada: 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz

ISED rules let Wi-Fi run on a plant floor in 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz, but 5150-5250 MHz is indoor-only, the DFS channels must give way to radar, and every 6 GHz class except very low power is barred from automobiles, trains and vessels in wording that never names an AGV or AMR.

Ben RutterIndustrial network engineer

Updated Oct 5, 2026
Reviewed Oct 6, 2026
6 sources

Regulator: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Rules last verified: Oct 5, 2026

A summary of published rules for planning, not legal advice. Each line quotes the rule's own scope and cites where it is; read the instrument before you rely on it, and confirm your equipment's certification.

Permitted. The rule allows it, within the limits shown.
Conditional. Allowed only under the conditions in the text.
Not permitted. The rule does not allow it.
Unclear. The rule does not address this case. The text quotes what it does say; this site does not interpret it.
Pending. A proposed rule, not yet in force.

At a glance

Band segment	Indoor	Outdoor	On a vehicle
2.4 GHz ISM band2400 to 2483.5 MHz	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted
5150-5250 MHz5150 to 5250 MHz	Permitted	Not permitted	Unclear
5250-5350 MHz (DFS)5250 to 5350 MHz	Permitted	Conditional	Unclear
5470-5725 MHz (DFS)5470 to 5725 MHz	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted
5725-5850 MHz5725 to 5850 MHz	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted
5850-5895 MHz5850 to 5895 MHz	Conditional	Conditional	Unclear
5925-6875 MHz5925 to 6875 MHz	Permitted	Conditional	Unclear
6875-7125 MHz6875 to 7125 MHz	Permitted	Conditional	Unclear

Rules by band segment

2.4 GHz ISM band 2400 to 2483.5 MHz

Indoor: PermittedRSS-247 section 6 sets no indoor-only limit for digital transmission systems in 2400-2483.5 MHz.RSS-247, 6.1, 6.3
Outdoor: PermittedPermitted; fixed point-to-point systems may exceed 4 W EIRP only through higher-gain directional antennas, not higher transmitter power.RSS-247, 6.5 a) and b)
On a vehicle: PermittedRSS-247 section 6 sets no vehicle restriction for 2400-2483.5 MHz.RSS-247, Section 6

Power limits, 2.4 GHz ISM band
Device	Power (EIRP or conducted)	Power density	Where
Access point	1 W peak conducted and 4 W EIRP	8 dBm in any 3 kHz, conducted	6.3.1, 6.3.2
Client	Same limit as an access point; section 6 does not separate the two	8 dBm in any 3 kHz, conducted	6.3.1, 6.3.2

5150-5250 MHz 5150 to 5250 MHz

Indoor: PermittedPermitted; LE-LAN devices in 5150-5250 MHz are restricted to indoor operation, including inside trains.RSS-247, 7.3.1.1
Outdoor: Not permittedLE-LAN devices in 5150-5250 MHz are restricted to indoor operation, and the user manual must say they are for indoor use only.RSS-247, 7.3.1.1, 7.3.7
On a vehicle: UnclearUse inside trains counts as indoor operation, and OEM devices installed in vehicles by vehicle manufacturers are permitted (at most 30 mW EIRP), none on airplanes; a vehicle is a machine carrying people or cargo "on a road", and AGVs and AMRs on a plant floor are not addressed.RSS-247, 3, Vehicle; 7.3.1.1; 7.3.1.2
Radar detection (DFS): PermittedNo DFS requirement; section 7.3.6 applies DFS to 5250-5350 and 5470-5725 MHz.RSS-247, 7.3.6
Power control (TPC): PermittedTPC is required only of in-vehicle OEM devices above 15 mW EIRP.RSS-247, 7.3.1.2

Power limits, 5150-5250 MHz
Device	Power (EIRP or conducted)	Power density	Where
Access point	Lesser of 200 mW or 10 + 10 log10 B dBm EIRP (B is the occupied bandwidth in MHz)	10 dBm/MHz EIRP	7.1, 7.3.1.2
Client	Same limit as an access point	10 dBm/MHz EIRP	7.3.1.2

5250-5350 MHz (DFS) 5250 to 5350 MHz

Indoor: PermittedPermitted at the limits below, with DFS.RSS-247, 7.3.2.1, 7.3.2.2
Outdoor: ConditionalFixed outdoor devices above 200 mW EIRP must meet the elevation mask in Table 1; other devices above 200 mW must meet the mask or support a firmware power cut that ISED can order.RSS-247, 7.3.2.4, Table 1
On a vehicle: UnclearIn vehicles "only in-vehicle OEM devices installed by vehicle manufacturers are permitted", none on airplanes, and a vehicle is a machine carrying people or cargo "on a road"; AGVs and AMRs on a plant floor are not addressed.RSS-247, 3, Vehicle; 7.3.2.1
Radar detection (DFS): ConditionalDFS required; 60 s channel availability check, cease within 10 s of a detection, 30-minute non-occupancy period, detection threshold -62 or -64 dBm by power class; clients without radar detection follow only the move and closing times.RSS-247, 7.3.6.2, Table 2; 7.3.6.3
Power control (TPC): ConditionalDevices above 500 mW EIRP must be able to operate at least 6 dB below 1 W; in-vehicle OEM devices above 15 mW also need TPC.RSS-247, 7.3.2.2

Power limits, 5250-5350 MHz (DFS)
Device	Power (EIRP or conducted)	Power density	Where
Access point	Lesser of 1.0 W or 17 + 10 log10 B dBm EIRP; conducted lesser of 250 mW or 11 + 10 log10 B dBm	11 dBm/MHz, conducted	7.3.2.2
Client	Same limit as an access point	11 dBm/MHz, conducted	7.3.2.2

5470-5725 MHz (DFS) 5470 to 5725 MHz

Indoor: PermittedPermitted at the limits below, with DFS.RSS-247, 7.3.3.1, 7.3.3.2
Outdoor: PermittedSection 7.3.3 sets no indoor-only limit or elevation mask for 5470-5725 MHz; DFS still applies.RSS-247, 7.3.3
On a vehicle: PermittedSection 7.3.3 sets no vehicle restriction for 5470-5725 MHz.RSS-247, 7.3.3
Radar detection (DFS): ConditionalDFS required as in 5250-5350 MHz; Issue 4 removed the former 5600-5650 MHz restriction, but DFS there must be shown with the ETSI EN 301 893 procedure, and devices tested only to FCC KDB 905462 must stay out of 5600-5650 MHz.RSS-247, Preface; 7.3.6.1
Power control (TPC): ConditionalDevices above 500 mW EIRP must be able to operate at least 6 dB below 1 W.RSS-247, 7.3.3.2

Power limits, 5470-5725 MHz (DFS)
Device	Power (EIRP or conducted)	Power density	Where
Access point	Lesser of 1.0 W or 17 + 10 log10 B dBm EIRP; conducted lesser of 250 mW or 11 + 10 log10 B dBm	11 dBm/MHz, conducted	7.3.3.2
Client	Same limit as an access point	11 dBm/MHz, conducted	7.3.3.2

5725-5850 MHz 5725 to 5850 MHz

Indoor: PermittedPermitted at the limits below.RSS-247, 7.3.4.3
Outdoor: PermittedPermitted; fixed point-to-point devices may use antennas above 6 dBi without reducing conducted power.RSS-247, 7.3.4.3
On a vehicle: PermittedSection 7.3.4 sets no vehicle restriction for 5725-5850 MHz.RSS-247, 7.3.4
Radar detection (DFS): PermittedNo DFS requirement in 5725-5850 MHz.RSS-247, 7.3.6
Power control (TPC): PermittedNo TPC requirement in 5725-5850 MHz.RSS-247, 7.3.4.3

Power limits, 5725-5850 MHz
Device	Power (EIRP or conducted)	Power density	Where
Access point	1 W conducted, reduced dB for dB by antenna gain above 6 dBi (fixed point-to-point exempt)	30 dBm in any 500 kHz, conducted	7.3.4.3
Client	Same limit as an access point	30 dBm in any 500 kHz, conducted	7.3.4.3

5850-5895 MHz 5850 to 5895 MHz

Indoor: ConditionalIndoor access points must be wired-powered, not battery powered, with a permanent antenna, no weatherized enclosure and a direct connection to the Internet; indoor clients work under an indoor access point or indoor subordinate device.RSS-247, 7.3.5.1
Outdoor: ConditionalOutdoors only fixed access points and fixed clients, which are not used while in motion; a fixed outdoor access point may radiate no more than 125 mW (21 dBm) EIRP above 30 degrees elevation.RSS-247, 3; 7.3.5.1; 7.3.5.3
On a vehicle: UnclearSection 7.3.5 names no vehicle rule, but fixed outdoor devices may not be used while in motion and indoor access points must be wired-powered and not battery powered; AGVs and AMRs are not addressed.RSS-247, 3; 7.3.5.1
Radar detection (DFS): PermittedNo DFS requirement in 5850-5895 MHz.RSS-247, 7.3.6
Power control (TPC): PermittedNo TPC requirement in 5850-5895 MHz.RSS-247, 7.3.5

Power limits, 5850-5895 MHz
Device	Power (EIRP or conducted)	Power density	Where
Access point	36 dBm (4 W) EIRP for an indoor access point or indoor subordinate device	20 dBm/MHz EIRP	7.3.5.3
Access point	36 dBm (4 W) EIRP for a fixed outdoor access point; 21 dBm (125 mW) above 30 degrees elevation	23 dBm/MHz EIRP	7.3.5.3
Client	30 dBm (1 W) EIRP for an indoor client	14 dBm/MHz EIRP	7.3.5.3
Client	30 dBm (1 W) EIRP for a fixed outdoor client	17 dBm/MHz EIRP	7.3.5.3

5925-6875 MHz 5925 to 6875 MHz

Indoor: PermittedLow-power indoor access points, standard-power access points and very low-power devices may all operate here.RSS-248, 4.2
Outdoor: ConditionalOutdoors only as standard power under an AFC system, or as very low power not on fixed outdoor infrastructure; low-power indoor devices must be completely enclosed by walls and a ceiling.RSS-248, 3; 4.2; 4.8.5; 6.1
On a vehicle: UnclearDevices other than very low power "shall not be used on automobiles", trains or maritime vessels; AGVs and AMRs are not addressed.RSS-248, 4.8.1
Power control (TPC): ConditionalVery low-power devices must be able to operate at least 6 dB below their maximum EIRP PSD limit.RSS-248, 4.5.6

Power limits, 5925-6875 MHz
Device	Power (EIRP or conducted)	Power density	Where
Low power indoor access point	30 dBm EIRP (low-power indoor access point or indoor subordinate device)	5 dBm/MHz EIRP	4.5.2
Client	24 dBm EIRP for a low-power client	-1 dBm/MHz EIRP	4.5.3
Standard power access point	36 dBm EIRP, or less as the AFC system directs; a device not enclosed by walls and a ceiling is held to 21 dBm above 30 degrees elevation	23 dBm/MHz EIRP	4.5.4, 6.1
Client	30 dBm EIRP for a standard client, and at least 6 dB below its standard-power access point	17 dBm/MHz EIRP	4.5.5
Very low power device	14 dBm EIRP	-5 dBm/MHz EIRP	4.5.6

6875-7125 MHz 6875 to 7125 MHz

Indoor: PermittedLow-power indoor and very low-power devices only; ISED limited standard power to 5925-6875 MHz and opened 5925-7125 MHz to low-power indoor and very low-power use.SMSE-006-21, Decisions D3, D4 and D5
Outdoor: ConditionalOnly very low-power devices may operate outdoors here, and not on fixed outdoor infrastructure.RSS-248, 4.2; 4.8.5
On a vehicle: UnclearDevices other than very low power "shall not be used on automobiles", trains or maritime vessels; AGVs and AMRs are not addressed.RSS-248, 4.8.1
Power control (TPC): ConditionalVery low-power devices must be able to operate at least 6 dB below their maximum EIRP PSD limit.RSS-248, 4.5.6

Power limits, 6875-7125 MHz
Device	Power (EIRP or conducted)	Power density	Where
Low power indoor access point	30 dBm EIRP (low-power indoor access point or indoor subordinate device)	5 dBm/MHz EIRP	4.5.2
Client	24 dBm EIRP for a low-power client	-1 dBm/MHz EIRP	4.5.3
Very low power device	14 dBm EIRP	-5 dBm/MHz EIRP	4.5.6

6 GHz device classes

Low power indoor (LPI): ConditionalLow-power indoor access points may use 5925-7125 MHz only where completely enclosed by walls and a ceiling, wired-powered, not battery powered, with a permanently integrated antenna and no weatherized enclosure, and never on oil platforms.RSS-248, 3; 4.2; 4.8.1; 4.8.3
Standard power (SP): ConditionalStandard-power access points may use 5925-6875 MHz indoors or outdoors only on the frequencies and power an ISED-designated AFC system grants, must recheck at least every 24 hours, and after a day without contact may run only until 11:59 p.m. local time the next day.RSS-248, 4.2; 6.1 to 6.4
Very low power (VLP): ConditionalVery low-power devices may use 5925-7125 MHz indoors or outdoors and are exempt from the automobile, train and vessel bans, but may not use fixed outdoor infrastructure or operate on oil platforms.RSS-248, 4.2; 4.8.1; 4.8.5
Automated frequency coordination (AFC): PermittedISED lists four designated AFC system administrators under DBS-06 Issue 1, the first approved from August 21, 2023.List of designated Dynamic Spectrum Access Sy..., Automated Frequency Coordination System Administrators table
Client to client: ConditionalStandard and low-power clients may not connect directly to each other; very low-power devices may have a peer-to-peer connection capability.RSS-248, 3, Very low-power device; 4.8.2

Equipment certification

ConditionalCategory I equipment needs an ISED certificate (a technical acceptance certificate or a certification body certificate) and a Radio Equipment List entry before sale, and each unit is labeled with its ISED certification number after "IC:".RSS-Gen, 3.4.1; 9.4.4.1; RSS-247 and RSS-248 section 2.2 classify these devices as Category I

What these rules mean on a plant floor

On the DFS channels (5250 to 5350 and 5470 to 5725 MHz), a radar detection forces a device off its channel within 10 seconds and keeps it off for 30 minutes, and a new channel needs a 60-second check before use.
5150 to 5250 MHz is indoor-only, and 6 GHz low-power indoor devices must be completely enclosed by walls and a ceiling.
RSS-248 bars every 6 GHz class except very low power from automobiles, trains and vessels, and RSS-247 permits 5250 to 5350 MHz radios in vehicles only when a vehicle maker installs them; neither standard says whether an AGV or AMR on a plant floor counts.
These standards certify radios and cap their power; they do not approve a network design or make any machine safe.

The instruments

RSS-247, Digital Transmission Systems, Frequency Hopping Systems and Licence-Exempt Local Area Network Devices in 902-928 MHz, 2400-2483.5 MHz, 5150-5350 MHz, and 5470-5895 MHz bands. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Issue 4, July 24, 2025 (Notice SMSE-006-25); Issue 3 accepted for six months after publication. In force from Jul 24, 2025. Read Oct 5, 2026.
RSS-248, Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) Devices Operating in the 5925-7125 MHz Band. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Issue 3, October 11, 2024 (Notice SMSE-011-24); Issue 2 accepted for six months after publication. In force from Oct 11, 2024. Read Oct 5, 2026.
Decision on the Technical and Policy Framework for Licence-Exempt Use in the 6 GHz Band (SMSE-006-21). Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. May 2021. Read Oct 5, 2026.
RSS-Gen, General Requirements for Compliance of Radio Apparatus. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Issue 6, July 30, 2026, with Amendment 1, September 15, 2026; Issue 5 accepted for one year after publication. In force from Jul 30, 2026. Read Oct 5, 2026.
List of designated Dynamic Spectrum Access System Administrators (DSASAs). Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Certification and Engineering Bureau. Page modified 2026-07-13. Read Oct 5, 2026.

About this page

Built from 6 sources: 6 regulators and government sources. Researched and drafted with AI assistance, then reviewed and approved by Ben Rutter on Oct 6, 2026. How pages are made

First published: Oct 6, 2026
Last updated: Oct 5, 2026

Change history (1)

Oct 6, 2026 First published

Cite this page

Plain

Ben Rutter. "Wi-Fi rules in Canada: 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz." OT Wireless, published October 6, 2026, updated October 5, 2026. https://otwireless.com/regulatory/ca/

APA 7

Rutter, B. (2026, October 6). Wi-Fi rules in Canada: 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz. OT Wireless. https://otwireless.com/regulatory/ca/

BibTeX

@misc{rutter2026ca,
  author = {Rutter, Ben},
  title = {{Wi-Fi rules in Canada: 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz}},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://otwireless.com/regulatory/ca/}},
  organization = {OT Wireless},
}