Basic International Telecommunications Services (BITS) Licensees
Transmitting Traffic Internationally
BITS licensees are entities that the CRTC has authorized to carry telecommunications traffic between Canada and any other country. Only telecommunications providers that have a BITS licence may carry traffic internationally.
Responsibilities and obligations
View BITS applications filed with the Commission
For applications filed before 2020, select the year
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Complete the BITS Licence Cover Sheet to apply for a BITS licence
- The Form 503 - BITS Licence Application Cover Sheet, is issued in DCS
- Form 503 is issued once when applying for a new BITS licence
- Only the entity's designated Response Manager or a designated Survey Respondent may complete Form 503
- Form 503 must include a signed and notarized affidavit, which should be uploaded and attached to the form. The affidavit attests that the entity intends to carry telecommunications traffic between Canada and another country. A copy of this affidavit must be kept at the entity's head offices pursuant to Telecom Circular 2005-4.
Template of the BITS affidavit [Sample]
Copies of the completed BITS application, and any correspondence related to the BITS application are placed in the CRTC's public examination rooms for a period of 30 days. They are available for inspection by the public before the licence is issued.
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