Outcome of International Telecommunications Union (ITU) 2012 World Radio Conference (WRC-12)

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) 2012 World Radio Conference (WRC-12) was held in Switzerland (Geneva) from January 23 to February 17, 2012. The main outcomes of the meeting are as per the announcement below.

1. Outline of meeting

(1) Dates :

January 23 to February 17, 2012

(2) Location :

Switzerland (Geneva)

(3) Purpose :

to facilitate regulation of “international frequency distribution” between many countries.

(4) Participants :

Approximately 3,000 participants from around 170 countries. From Japan, approximately 70 participants from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), private businesses and research organizations, etc.

2. Main outcomes of meeting

(1) Agenda relating to safety and peace of mind :

[Agenda for guarantee of frequencies used by ocean radar for observation of ocean flotsam and tidal waves, etc.]

Aim to acquire frequencies necessary for application of ocean radar equipment used in safe navigation of harbors and observation of tidal waves, etc.

The frequency bands wanted by Japan for wireless assessment work (24450-24600kHz, etc.) were newly secured.

(2) Agenda relating to future space research

　 [Agenda for guarantee of frequencies used by satellites for space exploration]

　　   Aim to acquire new frequencies for satellites used in future space exploration (moon-orbiting satellites (SELENE2), etc.).

The frequency bands wanted by Japan for space research business use (signals, etc. for ground instruction and control of moon-orbiting satellites) (22.55-23.15GHz) were newly secured.

(3) Agenda on dealing with future increase of aviation demand

[Agenda relating to introduction of regulatory procedure to guarantee frequencies used for air traffic control]

　　   Agenda for study of procedure, etc. for frequency allocation accompanying increase of aviation demand. Aiming for flexible frequency regulation of Japan's multi-purpose transport satellite.

“Objective calculation method for prerequisite frequency volumes” and “Opening a meeting of post-evaluation in cases where there is dissatisfaction with current regulation results” were prescribed, and new regulation procedures was established to guarantee Japan's required frequencies.

(4) Agenda relating to future of the WRC

[New agenda relating to additional distribution of frequencies to “IMT-Advanced: 4G Mobile Communications System”]

　　   Study of additional distribution of frequencies to IMT-Advanced.

[Latest agenda regarding “leap seconds”]

　　   Study of the state of “leap seconds”.

Results from January 2012 “Survey of Communications and Broadcasting Industry Trends”

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has compiled results (quick report) from the “Survey of Communications and Broadcasting Industry Trends” (general statistics) carried out in January 2012. Highlights from the results of this survey are as outlined below.

1. Highlights from survey results

(1) Sales forecast index*1 for the communications and broadcasting industry turns to “negative” movement.

Looking at types of industry, while the telecommunications industry has retained positive movement in Q4 of FY 2011 and Q1 of FY 2012, the commercial broadcasting industry has shown “negative” movement in both quarters and the cable television industry has also shifted into “negative” movement as of the first quarter of this year, resulting in an overall trend for decline. The sales forecast index for the entire communications and broadcasting industry has shifted to “negative” movement.

(2) Financing forecast index*2 shifts from “steady” to “negative” movement.

Looking at types of industry, while the financing forecast index for the telecommunications industry was shifting to “positive” movement in Q4 of FY 2011, in the first quarter of this year it again shifted to “steady” movement. The commercial broadcasting industry has shown “negative” movement in both quarters and the cable television industry has also shifted from “steady” into “negative” movement. The entire communications and broadcasting industry has shifted from “steady” to “negative” movement.

(3) Industry condition forecast index*3 turns to “negative” movement.

Looking at types of industry, all industries in both quarters showed mostly “negative” movement, and the industry condition forecast for the entire communications and broadcasting industry has shifted to “negative” movement.

*1 Sales forecast index (DI) = “Proportion of businesses predicting increase (%)” - “Proportion of businesses predicting decrease (%)”

*2 Financing forecast index (DI) = “Proportion of businesses predicting a surplus (%)” - “Proportion of businesses predicting difficulties (%)”

*3 Industry condition forecast index (DI) = “Proportion of businesses predicting ascent (%)” - “Proportion of businesses predicting descent (%)”

2. About the Survey of Communications and Broadcasting Industry Trends

In order to understand management trends in communications and broadcasting industries (telecommunications and broadcasting businesses), the Survey of Communications and Broadcasting Industry Trends has been carried out since April 1995 in the form of a questionnaire survey (surveys are mailed out, with responses returned via fax or the Internet) looking at sales forecasts, etc. This is the only survey that ascertains communications/broadcasting industry sales predictions, etc.

[How survey targets are selected]

Based on the results of the FY 2009 Survey of Communications and Broadcasting Industry Trends, the survey sample number is established to cover 160 companies so as to provide statistical significance, while specific sample numbers for each industry sector are established according to the sales share of each type of industry (telecommunications, commercial broadcasting, etc.). Survey targets for each type of industry are selected by separating the entire group from sampled businesses, with businesses that generate high levels of sales sampled until the number of selected industries reaches the established sample number, and random sampling carried out from the remaining population.

[Survey items]

Sales, financing and industry condition forecasts, etc. (four times annually)

[Response rate (Entire communications and broadcasting industry)]

No. of businesses targeted : 158

No. of replies : 113

Response rate : 71.5%

Official Announcement of Final Report on the Maintaining Communications Capabilities during Major Natural Disasters and other Emergency Situations

In April 2011, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) initiated the “Study Group on Maintaining Communications Capabilities during Major Natural Disasters and other Emergency Situations” (Chairman: Shun Sakurai, Director-General of the Telecommunications Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)), which has studied the state of guaranteed means of communication in states of emergency.

　A final report concerning the “State of Guaranteed Means of Communication in States of Emergency Including Large-scale Disasters” was compiled at the eighth meeting, held on December 27, 2011, and is officially announced herein.

1. Background, etc.

In April 2011, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) initiated the “Study Group on Maintaining Communications Capabilities during Major Natural Disasters and other Emergency Situations” in order to study the state of guaranteed means of communication in states of emergency.

　A final draft report was compiled at the seventh meeting, held on November 28, 2011, and an appeal for opinions on this draft report was held from December 1 to 14, 2011, in response to which 14 opinions were submitted.

　A final report concerning the “State of Guaranteed Means of Communication in States of Emergency Including Large-scale Disasters” was compiled at the eighth meeting, held on December 27, 2011, based on the results of the appeal, etc., and this is officially announced herein.

2. Final report

　Please see the following website: http://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000146938.pdf