August 10, 2005

First Report of "Study Group on Telecommunications Numbers in the IP Era" Released

MIC has been holding a "Study Group on Telecommunications Numbers in the IP Era" (Chair: Mr. SAITO Tadao, Professor Emeritus, the University of Tokyo) in order to deliberate upon desirable roles of telecommunications numbers.
After a series of meetings, the Study Group has compiled its findings as the "first report of Study Group on Telecommunications Numbers in the IP Era." MIC has released the first report and the results of public comments on the (draft) first report.
Although the Study Group was scheduled to conclude the work at its fifth meeting on August 4, 2005, the Study Group has decided to continue deliberating upon telecommunications numbers, etc. of "Fixed Mobile Convergence" (FMC), until March 2006.

[Schedule]
Although the Study Group was scheduled to conclude the work at its fifth meeting, it continues to hold its meetings for deliberating upon the following items, until March 2006.

1. Items to be deliberated upon (planned)
i1) Telecommunications numbers of FMC
With regard to the convergence of fixed and mobile communications, or FMC, which will be put into practical use in years to come, the Study Group will i) clarify specific systems images thereof and ii) deliberate upon telecommunications numbers to be used therefor.

ii2) On 1XY telecommunications numbers (short code)
- On telecommunications numbers for consultation with administration
Since opinions on regulatory reforms were filed, requesting three-digit numbers (short code) exclusively for consulting with administration call centers, the Study Group will consider thereof.
- On the use of 1XY telecommunications numbers, etc. for accepting application for new services
With respect to the use of 1XY telecommunications numbers, etc. for accepting application for new services, the Study Group will deliberate upon i) which degree of priority shall be placed on how many digits to be assigned, and ii) even if any, its level of influence on consumers.

iii3) On transfer to IP telephony terminals
Because there are some telecommunications carriers who the provision of transfer services to so-called public Internet telephones, the Study Group will deliberate upon assumable methods for transfer to IP telephony terminals.

2. Deliberation period (planned)
The Study Group will compile its outcomes as a report by the end of March 2006.

 



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International Policy Division,
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Telecommunications Bureau, MIC
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