October 18, 2004,Vol. 15, No. 14 ISSN 1349-7987

1. Schedule and participants

From September 19 through 24, 2004 (during September 19 through 21,related workshops, etc. were held.)
Some 300 people from administrations, etc. and private entities inAPEC member economies participated in APEC TEL 30.
Participating from Japan were some 35 people, a delegation headed byDirector NINOMIYA, Multilateral Economic Affairs Office, MIC, and includingother government officials as well as executives from private entities.

2. Major points of discussions

i) On the next-generation network
The Japanese side emphasized on the significance of ubiquitous networkas the next-generation network.  Discussions were made on clarificationof new technologies and issues, themes and problems to be deliberated uponat TEL, etc.

ii) On promotion of liberalization of telecommunications
At the Liberalization Steering Group (LSG: Vice-Chair, Director NINOMIYA),discussions were made on the "Best Practices for Implementing the WorldTrade Organization (WTO) Telecommunications Reference Paper" as a contributionto the WTO Roundtable negotiations.
Note: The term "best practices" means best cases as targets to be achievedin corporations, etc.

iii) On promotion of information security
The Japanese side introduced a variety of activities, including security-relatedactivities of the National Institute of Information and CommunicationsTechnology (NICT) at the wireless security workshop; and reported activitiesto date of the Information Security Center established by NICT at the e-SecurityTask Group (eSTG).

iv) On distribution of digital content
The Japanese side introduced the "Common Metadata System J/Meta" forfacilitating complicated and diversified rights management online necessaryfor distribution of digital content, including broadcast programming, onnetworks at the Business Facilitation Steering Group (BFSG).

v) On cooperation on technological development
At the Development Cooperation Steering Group (DCSG), deliberationswere made upon preparation of information and communications infrastructures,bridging of the digital divide, promotion of broadband, etc.  TheJapanese side introduced R&D projects, including the Asia Pacific InformationInfrastructure (APII), and activities to implement verification experimentson IPv6.

• In the 800 MHz band, there is no new frequency assignable to cellular telephones,in addition to frequencies already licensed to mobile telephone carriers.
• By accelerating the shift of assigned frequencies in the 800 MHz band,MIC will ensure frequencies in the 700/900 MHz band for cellular telephonesby 2012.
• MIC will study the measures regarding the shifting of assigned frequenciesin the 800 MHz band (MIC has taken procedures for inviting the public commentson the measures of the shifting of assigned frequencies in the 800 MHzband).

ii) 1.7 GHz band

• With regard to frequencies in the 1.7 GHz band additionally allocated tofrequencies for the use of mobile telephones at the World RadiocommunicationConference 2000 (WRC-2000), the shifting of assigned frequencies in the1.7 GHz band is to be promoted.  If all goes as planned, bandwidthsof 15 MHz X 2 will be used for cellular telephones from FY2006 on a nationwidescale.

iii) 2 GHz band

• At the Telecommunications Council, deliberations upon technical requirementshave already been started for introducing the time division duplex (TDD)system in 2010-2025 MHz bands.

iv) 2.5 GHz band

• With regard to frequencies in the 2.5 GHz band additionally allocated forthe use of mobile telephones at WRC-2000, the International TelecommunicationUnion (ITU) has been considering methods to use those frequencies. However, a pair of frequencies necessary for the frequency division duplex(FDD) system is not ensured under current circumstances surrounding frequencyallocation in Japan .

2. Candidate frequencies to be assignedto new entries
Candidate frequencies for new entries are following bands:

• 1.7 GHz band being enabled to ensure some bandwidths for the FDD system
• 2010-2025 MHz band being enabled to ensure some bandwidths for the TDDsystem

3. Consideration for facilitating new entries
Henceforth, MIC will set up a forum for exchanging open opinions amongstakeholders on the following matters:

• To contribute to deliberations upon licensing guidelines for facilitatingnew entries through the use of 1.7 GHz band (FDD system) and 2 GHz band(TDD) system
• To contribute to deliberations upon guidelines for the use of 700/900 MHzband frequencies after 2012
• In addition, to exchange opinions on the smooth shift in the 800 MHz bandand other frequency bands

Notes:

1. World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC): At WRC, international allocationof frequencies, methods to use geostationary satellite orbits, operationsof radio stations, etc. are deliberated upon.
2. Time Division Duplex (TDD): A communications method to use the same frequencyboth in transmission and reception
3. International Telecommunication Union (ITU): A UN organization specializingin the telecommunications field
4. Frequency Division Duplex (FDD): A communications method to use differentfrequencies in transmission and reception (a pair of frequencies is needed.)

2. Major themes to be deliberated upon
´ Basic conceptsof security measures for telework
´ Technological aspects of security measures(security measures, etc. in communications and at terminals)
´ Operational and managerial aspects of securitymeasures (preparation of security policy, management system for preventinginformation leakage, etc.)
´ Indication of model systems

3. Schedule
The Study Group will compile its findings asa final report in December 2004.