MPHPT Communications News

Outline of "International Network Interconnection Experiments for Promoting Advanced Use of IT in Asia"
Successful results of Japan-Singapore large-volume international network interconnection experiments

1. Background
In consideration of Asia's characteristics such as a multilingual environment, MPHPT since FY2001 has been conducting international joint network interconnection experiments for developing technologies that enable transactions of large-volume video content, etc. over the Internet securely and easily. The purposes of the joint experiments are to put international e-transactions of large-volume video content into practical use and to contribute to widespread use of said technologies within Asia.

In order to realize international distribution/e-transactions, etc., it is vital to establish network technologies and application key technologies for supporting international distribution/e-transactions through international verification experiments. In FY2002, MPHPT in collaboration with the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) implemented the "International Network Interconnection Experiments for Promoting Advanced Use of IT in Asia."

2. Results achieved in FY2002
Based upon the results of FY2001, MPHPT in FY2002 carried out experiments on i) management technology of metadata for international distribution of large-volume video data, and ii) high-quality video IP multicast delivery technology.
Results of these experiments will be used not only for international e-transactions of large-volume video data, etc. but also for various fields including international distance learning (telelearning)/telemedicine; thus, advantages for the future such as multipurpose characteristics and applicability are huge.
In addition, these key technologies will bring about foundations for creating new markets in the future and contribute to strengthening Japan's international competitiveness and promotion of structural reforms. Through use of the results of these experiments, it is anticipated that international distribution markets of large-volume video data, etc. will be formed and at the same time overseas deployment of Japan's video industries will be promoted, resulting in growth/expansion of those industries.
(See "Outline of experiments" in FY2002)

3. Goal
The final purpose of these experiments is to put an international distribution model of large-volume video data, etc. over international networks mainly in Asia.

[Outline of experiments]
Results of verification experiments in FY2002 are as follows:
(1) Experiments on management technology of metadata for international distribution of large-volume video data
At present, there is a business model for content distribution. For these experiments, technology verification focuses upon international distribution of large-volume video data under a multilingual environment.
More specifically, recognizing that it is essential to cope with a multilingual environment, particularly in Asia, i) metadata management technology (the first attempt to be compliant with the specification "Metadata (Normative)" ^*1 as defined by the "TV-Anytime Forum," ^*2 an association of organizations which seeks to develop specifications) and multilingual translation technology were technologically combined, ii) a BtoBtoC model environment ^*3 which manages/distributes large-volume video data over international networks was constructed, then, iii) pseudo-transactions and -delivery of content were realized.

(2) High-quality video IP multicast delivery technology
i) Verification of optimal delivery system
The Protocol Independent Multicast - Sparse Mode (PIM-SM) ^*4, one of Internet Protocol (IP) multicast ^*5 protocol delivery technologies, was verified. As the world's first attempt, international high-quality video IP multicast delivery between Japan and Singapore was realized utilizing the PIM-SSM (Protocol Independent Multicast - Source Specific Multicast) ^*6, the latest version of PIM-SM. Through these experiments, it was verified that PIM-SSM could be put into practical use for a broadcasting-type content delivery service model, suitable for international content delivery networks (iCDN), under a fluctuating delivery environment on a daily basis.

For these experiments, i) a model that delivers high-quality video (6 Mbps) from Japan and receives the video at multiple points in Singapore was constructed, ii) under the environment of the model, data were delivered through the above-mentioned two multicast protocols, iii) at the same time, influences were verified caused by new entries into/withdrawals from networks and route changes upon network faults, iv) comparison of PIM-SM and PIM-SSM was carried out, and v) data evaluations were conducted on the delivery status under various conditions, including influences of dynamic route recovery, etc. Through these experiments, proposals were made on standard designs for high-quality video IP multicast delivery toward realization of international content distribution networks.

ii) Verification of affinity for existing public networks
IP multicast delivery, as an "iCDN compliant with IP multicast," was realized from Japan to end users subscribing to Internet service providers (ISPs) through Singaporean domestic public networks (non-compliant with IP multicast).
WithIn these experiments, it was verified that it is possible to deliver large-volume digital content from Japan to general subscribers by interconnecting Singaporean existing public networks via Singaporean ISPs.

"Principle of Media Ownership Rule" Pertaining to BS Digital Broadcasting to Be Relaxed
-- In Line with Radio Regulatory Council Report and Public Comments --

On May 14, 2003, MPHPT received a report from the Radio Regulatory Council (Chair: Prof. YASUDA Yasuhiko, School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University), stating that proposed amendments to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcast Law (Radio Regulatory Commission Rules No. 10 of 1950) and the Essential Standards for Establishing Broadcasting Stations (Radio Regulatory Commission Rules No. 21) are appropriate. Those amendments include relaxation of the "Principle of Media Ownership Rule" pertaining to BS digital broadcasting, with the purposes of strengthening managerial foundation of BS digital broadcasters, improving their capabilities of program production and thereby promoting diffusion of BS digital broadcasting.

During the period from March 19 through April 15, 2003, MPHPT invited public comments on the draft amendments to the ministerial ordinances and the "Examination Standards concerning the Broadcast Law (MPHPT Instruction No. 68 of 2001)." In response to the invitation, five parties including broadcasters submitted comments. Outlines of these comments and the view of MPHPT are described in Annex. There is no objection against the draft amendments.
MPHPT will, paying due consideration to this report and results of public comments, prepare provisions without delay.

1. Background
The Final Report (announced on February 27, 2003) of the "Study Group on Broadcasting Policy" (Chair: Prof. SHIONO Hiroshi, Department of Correspondence Graduate Studies, University of East Asia) says that regarding the "Principle of Media Ownership Rule," it is appropriate to relax the current upper limit of capital investment in BS digital program-supplying broadcasters by terrestrial broadcasters from "less than one-third of voting rights" to "one-half of voting rights or less." Following the Final Report, after comprehensive consideration on influences, etc. derived from the review of the "Principle of Media Ownership Rule," MPHPT reached a conclusion that in order to strengthen managerial foundations, improve program production capabilities and thereby encourage diffusion of BS digital broadcasting, it is indispensable to relax the "Principle of Media Ownership Rule" without delay. Thus, MPHPT will amend the "Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcast Law," etc.

2. Outline of amendments
(1) With respect to the term "control" under the provisions related to the "Principle of Media Ownership Rule," the control of a BS digital program-supplying broadcaster through possession of voting rights by a terrestrial broadcaster (including persons controlling such terrestrial broadcaster; hereinafter the same shall apply) shall mean that a terrestrial broadcaster possesses more than one-half of voting rights of a BS digital program-supplying broadcaster.
(2) Other provisions shall be prepared.

3. Outline of draft amendments
(1) Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcast Law
As a result of obtaining approval, etc. of program-supplying operations, a BS digital program-supplying broadcaster comes to be controlled by a terrestrial broadcaster, in cases where voting rights of said BS digital program-supplying broadcaster possessed by said terrestrial broadcaster possesses are less than one-half of the voting rights, approval, etc. of program-supplying operations may be granted to said BS digital program-supplying broadcaster.

(2) Essential Standards for Establishing Broadcasting Stations
In cases where opening a broadcasting station for conducting terrestrial broadcasting operations, if a terrestrial broadcaster pertaining to said broadcasting station controls a BS digital program-supplying broadcaster, where voting rights of said BS digital program-supplying broadcaster possessed by said terrestrial broadcaster possesses are less than one-half of the voting rights, said broadcasting station may be opened.

(3) Examination Standards concerning the Radio Law
With regard to treatment of possession (indirect possession) through subsidiaries, etc. pertaining to a BS digital program-supplying broadcaster, in line with the amendment to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcast Law, relevant provisions shall be prepared.

[Related press releases]
"Partial amendments to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcast Law and the Essential Standards for Establishing Broadcasting Stations -- On relaxation of Principle of Media Ownership Rule pertaining to BS digital broadcasting --" (March 19, 2003)
http://www.soumu.go.jp/s-news/2003/030319_9.html

"Invitation of public comments on partial amendments to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Broadcast Law, etc. -- On relaxation of Principle of Media Ownership Rule pertaining to BS digital broadcasting --" (March 19, 2003)
http://www.soumu.go.jp/s-news/2003/030319_10.html