February 12, 2004,Vol. 14, No. 21 ISSN 1346-5317

* The Council for Safety and Reliability:A council established for ensuring safety/reliability of telecommunicationssystems through coordinated efforts among telecommunications carriers,and consists of 16 telecommunications carriers.  Its secretariat islocated within the Telecommunications Carriers Association.

I. Major efforts implemented by carriers toensure important telecommunications
1. Major efforts implemented by them to ensure important telecommunications
In order to ensure important telecommunications during disasters, sincethe recommendations proposed by the report from the Important TelecommunicationsStudy Group, mobile communications carriers have been taking the followingcountermeasures:

1) Measures for ensuring emergency reports and important communicationsfrom mobile terminals

i) Measures for treating emergency reports as priority communicationsin air sections
In order to ensure emergency reports from mobile terminals during trafficcongestion, it is expected that emergency reports can be barely controlledeven in air sections.
NTT DoCoMo, Inc., Vodafone K.K. and TU-KA Group have already introducednew terminals that enable emergency reports to be transmitted without control(as for 3G terminal equipment, NTT DoCoMo and Vodafone plan to introducethem in or after FY2004).  KDDI will introduce 3G terminals in thespring of 2004.
ii) Effective communications control measures for ensuring emergencyreports and important communications
When a large-scale disaster occurs, the degree of packet traffic congestionis generally lower than that of voice communications.  Thus, it iseffective for the control of packet communications to be based upon anindependent control rate from other communications as to the purpose ofattaining a higher rate of complete mail calls.
NTT DoCoMo in April 2004 will introduce functions for enabling independentcommunications control on voice and packets on a separate basis (for thetime being, effective only for 2G terminals; as for 3G, DoCoMo will proposea change to international standard specifications.).  KDDI will followin the spring of 2005.

2) Measures for an inquiry after someone's well being; Measuresfor relaxing traffic congestion

i) Measures for an inquiry after someone's safety utilizingthe Internet and e-mails
Upon traffic congestion during disasters, etc., it is effective forgeneral users to use the Internet or e-mails that are comparatively tolerantagainst traffic congestion, so as to ensure inquiries after someone's wellbeing.
NTT DoCoMo launched the "i-mode Disaster Dengon Mail" in January 2004. KDDI has been developing a similar system for inquiring after someone'ssafety.
ii) Measures for relaxing traffic congestion
Upon traffic congestion, because of the control covering general voicecalls in order to ensure important communications, calls for inquiriesafter someone's well being can barely be completed.  Thus, in orderto make the most of the "Nationwide-use Emergency Voice Mail (171)," itis effective for a voice guidance to be announced to lead callers uponuse of the 171 service.  NTT DoCoMo will introduce voice guidancefor encouraging callers to use the "i-mode Disaster Dengon Mail" and the"Nationwide-use Emergency Voice Mail (171)."  Other carriers willfollow suit.

2. Efforts to carry out awareness campaigns on methods for useof telephones in cases of disaster, etc.
In response to the recommendations from the Important TelecommunicationsStudy Group, the Council for Safety and Reliability established a workinggroup on guidelines for important telecommunications with the purpose ofcompiling methods for general users to use telephones during a disaster,etc., that are to be widely known during regular time.  The outcomesof the working group will be released to mass media and general users.

1) Content of methods to use telephones in cases of disaster,etc.

i) Catch phrase

¥ For general subscribers: Your "No call" will spare emergencycommunications in disaster-stricken areas.
¥ For organizations engaged in disaster relief, etc.: Do you know? "Priority telephone sets to be used in disaster, etc."

ii) "On methods to use telephones when an earthquake, etc. occurs"

2) Concrete methods for awareness campaigns
Taking opportunities of the "Disaster Prevention and Volunteer Week(January 15 - 22)," the Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA) announceda news release concerning the methods (January 13, 2004), and the followingmeasures were taken:
 

i) Posting of the "On methods of using telephones when an earthquake,etc. occurs" on the websites of TCA and TCA Member Companies.  Thosesites include links to "How to Use Nationwide-use Emergency Voice Mail(171)."
ii) Proposal to mass media, etc. on methods to use telephones whenearthquake, etc. occurs

¥ The Council made proposals to NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.),the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Japan Cable andTelecommunications Association on methods for use of telephones when anearthquake, etc. occurs (January 6 and 7).

II. "On methods for use of telephones whenan earthquake, etc. occurs"

Upon occurrence of disasters, such as earthquakes, accidents, etc.,if a huge number of calls concentrate within a disaster-stricken area,telephone calls will hardly be completed.  Because of traffic congestion,inquiries after someone's safety, emergency reports to police and firedepartments are being in difficulty.
We, telecommunications carriers, are striving to ensure communicationsthrough various methods, including appropriate network control, in additionto offerings of priority telephone sets for relevant organizations, theprovision of "Disaster Emergency Dengon Dial 171" services and installationof disaster-resistant temporary public telephones free of charge.
Dear telephone users, in order to efficiently make calls for inquiryafter your acquaintances, etc., please be advised that you should use telephonesin accordance with the following manners.  Thank you for your understandingand assistance.
 

MPHPT commenced verification experiments for administrative serviceprovision via terrestrial digital broadcasting.  From February 1 toMarch 14, 2004, these experiments are being carried out to i) verify effectivenessthereof and administrative services that are broadcast, and ii) realizean administrative information provision system through use of data broadcastingand two-way (interactive) functions of terrestrial digital broadcasting. The administrative information provision system will be constructed forlocal public entities.
[Outline of the verification experiments]
1. Overview
Utilizing the terrestrial digital broadcasting started in December2003, during the verification experiments, i) administrative information,etc. held by local public entities and ii) administrative services, suchas reservation for public facilities, are being provided.

Fig. Verification experiments set-up

2. Location
Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture

3. Number of monitor households
About 150

4. Period
43 days (from February 1 to March 14, 2004)

5. Contractor of the verification experiments
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

6. Broadcaster
Chukyo TV Broadcasting Co., Ltd.

7. Verification Experiments Promotion Council
MPHPT established the Verification Experiments Promotion Council ConcerningProvision of Administrative Services Utilizing Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting(Chair: Prof. HATORI Mitsutoshi, National Institute of Informatics) topromote the verification experiments.
The Council is to:
¥ deliberate upon the verification experiments plan; evaluate/analyzeresults thereof
¥ provide information on the verification experiments to the "NationalConference for Promotion of Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting," etc.
 

With the purposes of i) promoting mutual understanding in the ICTfield between Japan and Sweden, and ii) strengthening collaborative relationshipsbetween the two countries, MPHPT and the Swedish "National Post and TelecomAgency (PTS)" and the "Ministry of Industry, Employment and Communications"held the Sixth Japan-Sweden Policy Dialogue on January 20, 2004, and the"Japan-Sweden Joint Seminar on Regulatory Issues" on January 21. At the two events held in Tokyo, both parties exchanged information onvarious topics.
At the Policy Dialogue level, both sides exchanged information on "pro-competitivepolicy," "ICT strategy," "mobile communications," "Internet and ICANN"and "digitalization of terrestrial broadcasting and spectrum trading,"among others.  The two parties agreed to develop concrete cooperativeprojects between Japan and Sweden in these fields.
At the Joint Seminar, representatives of the Japanese and Swedish governmentsgave keynote speeches and held a panel discussion with people from boththe public and private sectors, on appropriate regulatory frameworks, andthe pros and cons thereon in the telecommunications field.  The twosides agreed that, in the future, the Japanese and Swedish governmentsshould make further efforts to prepare an ideal competitive environment.
I. Policy Dialogue
[Participants]
Japanese side: Mr. ISHIDA, Director-General, International AffairsDepartment, MPHPT; and others
Swedish side: Mr. Nils Gunnar BILLINGER; and others
[Results]
1. Pro-competitive policy
The two governments exchanged information and opinions on the amendedTelecommunications Business Law of Japan, frameworks for competitive evaluationin the telecommunications field that the two countries are trying to introduce,new Swedish regulatory frameworks including the Electronic CommunicationsAct.
Then, the two sides agreed, from now on, to further promote competitionand cooperate in ensuring users' benefit.

2. ICT strategy
The two parties exchanged information and opinions on Japanese ICTpolicies, including the "e-Japan Strategy II," and Swedish IT strategiesin accordance with the "e-Europe."
Both sides agreed to cooperate in promoting actual use of well-preparedinfrastructures, and to continue to exchange opinions for realizing aninformation society for all.

3. Mobile communications
Both parties exchanged information and opinions on the current statusof the 3G mobile communications systems and future perspectives of 4G.
The two sides agreed to promote further cooperation between the twocountries, already having been carried out at the Yokosuka Research Park,etc., and to continue to exchange opinions on R&D and standardization.

4. Internet and ICANN
The two sides exchanged information and opinions on major efforts concerningIPv6 and the Internet governance.  Then, the two governments agreedto continue to exchange opinions thereon at various international conferences.
Note: Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN):A not-for-profit private organization administering resources over theInternet, such as IP addresses.

5. Digitalization of terrestrial broadcasting and spectrum trading
The two parties exchanged information and opinions on the policiesand current status on digitalization of broadcasting in the two countries. The two agreed to promote further cooperation toward the penetration ofdigital broadcasting through exchanges of information thereon.
In addition, the two sides exchanged information on basic conceptsof the Japanese government on spectrum trading, and the review of Swedishregulatory frameworks for radio spectrums.  Both sides agreed thatthey should make efforts to effectively and efficiently use radio spectrums,and that for realizing a ubiquitous network society, the two countriesshould cooperate in ensuring frequencies needed for introducing radio systemsthat comprise such a society.

II. Joint Seminar
[Participants]
Japanese side: Mr. TAKAHARA, Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination(International Affairs), MPHPT; Mr. ARITOMI, Director-General, TelecommunicationsBureau; and others
Swedish side: Mr. Nils Gunnar BILLINGER; Mr. Mikael LINDSTROM, Ambassadorto Japan; and others
 

Mr. Mikael LINDSTROM	Mr. TAKAHARA

[Other participants]
Telecommunications carriers, manufacturers, etc.
[Themes]
"Regulation, or deregulation" (ideal regulatory frameworks)
[Results]
A panel discussion was held concerning the pros and cons on regulationsin the telecommunications field.  The governments of Japan and Swedenprovided keynote speeches introducing the current status in the telecommunicationsfield and future trends in regulations in both countries.
At the panel discussion, representatives of the private and publicsectors in the two countries actively deliberated upon questions, including"Whether communications policies to date were successful or not?" and "Whatwere the roles of governments?"; one of topics actively deliberated uponwas a new service field, such as IP telephony.  With respect to sucha new field, some participants said, "A market environment of the telecommunicationsfield are being dynamically altered through technological innovations,etc.  Thus, governments shall accurately evaluate the service developmentsituations on a country-by-country basis."
During discussions among participants that included the audience, opinionswere offered on i) concerns about lowering of the quality of service (QoS)and insufficient customer services, through competition; ii) intergovernmentalcooperation on issues concerning SPAMs; iii) significance of selectionsby market mechanisms; and iv) international harmonization.
At closing, even though solutions for the topic, "regulation or deregulation,"are not necessarily simple, those participants agreed that the two countriesshould expend further efforts to prepare an ideal competitive environment.