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.
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.
Template of the BITS affidavit : [Example]
I, __________________ (individual's name), OF THE __________________ (City/Town, etc.)
of __________________ (name) in the __________________ (Province/Territory/State, etc.)
of __________________ (name) in the country of __________________ (Country)
MAKE OATH AND SAY / SOLEMNLY AFFIRM AS FOLLOWS:
1. I have personal knowledge of the matters hereinafter deposed to and I believe the same to be true.
2. As of the date of this Affidavit, I am an officer of the applicant with the title
of __________________ (corporate title) / legal counsel to the applicant.
3. The applicant is a company incorporated __________________ (insert date of incorporation), under the laws
of __________________ (insert jurisdiction of incorporation: Province/ Territory/ State/ Country, etc.).
4. The legal name of the applicant is: ____________________________________
5. The applicant operates as a telecommunications services provider under the following brand / trade name(s):
(complete if applicable)
___________________________________________________________________________
6. The address of the applicant is:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7. The applicant intends to manage or operate or resell or convert from analog to digital (or vice-versa) telecommunications service traffic between Canada and another country.
8. Pursuant to section 16.4 (2) of the Telecommunications Act, the applicant consents to the revocation of any Basic International Telecommunications Services licence previously issued to it, upon the issuance of the licence requested in this application.
SWORN/SOLEMNLY AFFIRMED BEFORE ME
(City/Town, etc.)
(name)
(Province/Territory/State, etc.)
(name)
(name)
(day)
(month)
(year)
____________________________________
a Notary etc.
a Commissioner etc. (Canada only)
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