January 28, 2005, Vol. 15, Nos. 19-20 ISSN 1349-7987

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Results of 28th Session of the APT Management Committee

-- Mr. YAMADA Toshiyuki, Director-General of MIC Institute for Information and Communications Policy Elected as Deputy Executive Director of APT --

The 28th session of the APT (Asia-Pacific Telecommunity) Management Committee was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from November 30 through December 4, 2004.
The work program and the budget for 2005 were discussed at the Committee, and the necessary decisions were made. In addition, elections were carried out for the APT Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director. As a result, Mr. YAMADA Toshiyuki, Director-General, the Institute for Information and Communications Policy of MIC, was elected as Deputy Executive Director of APT.

Mr. YMADA (second from left)

 

1. Committee term
November 30 through December 4, 2004

2. Attendees
There were about 120 attendees including representatives from the ICT administrations, telecommunications carriers and other private sector companies from 28 APT Members and three Associate Members, out of the 32 full Members and four Associate Members. There were five attendees from MIC, including Mr. ISHIDA Naohiro, Director-General of the International Affairs Department, Telecommunications Bureau.

3. Outlines of the results
(1) 2005 work program and budget
In order to further the development of telecommunications in the Asia-Pacific region, various meetings were organized, such as an ASTAP Forum, Preparatory Meeting for WRC, a Policy and Regulatory forum, the workshop on e-government, and workshop on network security and spam. In addition, various methods for the capacity building and human resources development (HRD) were settled upon.

(2) Election of the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director of the APT for the next term
The selection of the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director of the APT for the next term (three years from February 2005; the limit on reelection is two full consecutive terms) were carried out successfully. Mr. Amarendra Narayan and Mr. YAMADA Toshiyuki were elected as the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director respectively for the next term. Mr. YAMADA has been contributing to the APT activities, for instance, he had served as the Chairman of the Management Committee since 1999.

(3) Others
It was decided that the next session of the Management Committee will be held in Pakistan in 2005.

[Reference]
The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) was established in July 1979 with the objective of promoting the balanced development of telecommunications and ICT services in the Asia-Pacific region through human resources development, including training and seminars, policy coordination on standardization and radiocommunications, and regional issues on telecommunications. The Headquarters of the APT is located in Bangkok, Thailand.
APT Election
The election of the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director of the APT is carried out in every three years (the limit on reelection is two full consecutive terms). In the past, one person was elected from Japan as the Executive Director, and four people were elected from Japan as the Deputy Executive Director.

The Ninth Japan-France Consultation Successfully Closed

MIC and the French Ministry for Economy, Finance and Industry (Ministère de l'Economie, des Finances et de l'Industrie) held the Ninth Consultation in Tokyo on December 8, 2004, with an exchange of information on pro-competitive policy, national ICT strategy, radio policy and mobile communications, spam mail and international issues.
The Ninth Japan-France Consultation:
Attendees:
Japan: Mr. ISHIDA Naohiro, Director-General of the International Affairs Department, Telecommunications Bureau, MIC, and others.
France: Mr. Emmanuel CAQUOT, Deputy Director for Industry in charge of Information Society and Technologies, Directorate General for Industry, Information Technology and Posts, Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry, and others.

[Outline of Results]
(1) Pro-competitive Policy
Information and opinions were exchanged concerning development of broadband and recent measures related to competition policy, such as competition evaluation in the telecommunications field in Japan and market analysis under the EU Directives in France.
As a result, an agreement on cooperation was reached between the two countries on creating greater competitiveness in the future and maintaining users' benefit, while keeping an eye on new technologies such as FTTH and IP.

(2) National ICT Strategy
There was an exchange of information and opinions concerning Japan's ICT policy, starting with the "e-Japan Strategy" and the "u-Japan Concept," as well as France's national strategy that is based on RESO 2007 (see note).
As a result, both countries will cooperate in promoting the actual usage of the infrastructures that have been put in place, and an agreement was reached to continue exchanging opinions so as to realize a network society for all domestically and internationally. Furthermore, both countries will cooperate to raise international awareness about ICT.

(3) Radio Policy/Mobile Communications
There was an exchange of information and opinions concerning trends in radio policy and mobile communications. The two countries agreed to continue to cooperate and exchange information in the future on radio policy such as measures for the effective use of frequency, and the current status and future of mobile communications.

(4) Spam Mail Issues
There was an exchange of information and opinions concerning spam mails that have recently grown into a worldwide problem.
Both countries agreed to continue exchanging information on the anti-spam policies being implemented by each country and new transmission methods, as well as continuing to cooperate within a bilateral, and multi-lateral ITU and OECD frameworks.

(5) International Issues
There was an exchange of information and opinions concerning the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
The two countries reached an agreement that they will continue to exchange information and cooperate to provide guidance in discussions for the success of WSIS.

Note: RESO 2007 (RÉpublique numérique dans la SOciété de l'information) is France's national ICT strategy that was formulated under the guidance of its prime minister. It aims to increase the rate of access to the Internet among households, to work for the penetration of e-commerce and to promote e-government.

[Reference]
Starting with its regular consultation with the UK's Department of Trade and Industry in 1982, MIC has been holding bilateral conferences with a total of 20 governments (Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, the Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, U.S. and Vietnam), with the aim of mutual understanding in the field of information and communications, and strengthening cooperative relationships.

"Policy Roundtable for Realizing a Ubiquitous Network Society" Compiles Final Report

Since March 2004, MIC has been holding the "Policy Roundtable for Realizing a Ubiquitous Network Society" (Chair: Mr. MURAKAMI Teruyasu, Chief Counselor, Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.) as an advisory body to the Director-General for Policy Planning (in charge of ICT).
The Policy Roundtable has compiled its findings as the final report (u-Japan policy).
The outline of the final report is as follows:

1. Background of the "u-Japan" policy
To date, the Japanese government, in line with the "e-Japan" strategy adopted in January 2001 with the goal of making Japan the "world's most advanced IT nation by 2005," encouraged the private sector to construct necessary infrastructures. The goal has been almost achieved.
Thus, as a next step, the government is requested not only to prepare an environment for facilitating the use of broadband platforms but also to contribute to solutions of social problems Japan has been facing and the realization of user expectations. Positive use of ICT, including wire and wireless communications, in every aspect of communities and industries will greatly benefit our society.

2. Basic concepts of u-Japan
The term "u-Japan" means the next-generation ICT society to be realized in 2010. The word "u" means "ubiquitous," i.e., grassroots ICT in every corner of our daily lives. In the ubiquitous network society, "at anytime, from anywhere, any product and anyone" can be easily connected to network.
"Universal," "user-oriented" and "unique" services will be brought about as an expected result of such ubiquitous ICT infrastructure.

Fig. 1 Concepts of u-Japan

3. Pillars and goals of the "u-Japan"
In order to realize the "u-Japan" by 2010, policies are to be implemented from the following three viewpoints:

(1) Preparation of ubiquitous networks
A seamless network environment, including wire and wireless communications, networks and terminals, authentication, data exchanges, etc., shall be prepared. By 2010, a society in which 100% of Japanese nationals will be enabled to have access to high-speed or ultrahigh-speed networks shall be realized.
(2) Advanced use of ICT
In order to provide solutions to problems on medical care, social welfare, disaster prevention, public security, education, human resources development, etc. in the 21st century, the use of solution-type ICT shall be advanced. In the year 2010, a society in which 80% of Japanese nationals will recognize that ICT is effective solutions to address social problems shall be realized.
(3) Preparation of an environment for ICT use
MIC will i) implement the "ICT Safety and Security 21 Strategy" for reducing security concerns accompanying the ICT penetration, ii) formulate the "Charter of Ubiquitous Network Society" as guidelines for providing solutions to "negative" aspects of the ubiquitous network society to be recognized at present and in the future, and iii) transmit thereof to the rest of the world. In the year 2010, a society in which 80% of Japanese nationals will recognize that ICT is a safe and friendly tool shall be realized.

Fig. 2 Bird's eye view of the "u-Japan policy package"

4. Future directions
In line with the "u-Japan" policies, the government has released a roadmap. In accordance with the roadmap, it is required to steadily implement policy measures and encourage all stakeholders to make the "u-Japan" the next-generation national strategy following the "e-Japan Strategy" with the target year of 2005.
With respect to the international community, MIC is requested to i) make Japan the frontrunner in the ICT field, ii) advocate the "u-Japan" concepts and declare the "Charter of Ubiquitous Network Society," and thereby iii) contribute to realization of a society in which all the people around the world can enjoy their lives through the use of safe and secure ICT.

"Study Group on Telecommunications Numbers in the IP Era" Established

MIC has established a "Study Group on Telecommunications Numbers in the IP Era," in order to develop measures for coping with a possible shortage of telecommunications numbers (due to changes in the environment surrounding fixed telephone services) as well as to deliberate upon desirable roles of telecommunications numbers in consideration of recent advancements in IP technologies.

1. Backgrounds and purposes
In recent years, circumstances surrounding telecommunications business have been changing at an astonishing pace. In particular, the situation surrounding fixed telephone services, including new entries into fixed telephone services and drastic expansion of IP telephony services, is a typical example. Along with such changes, assignable telecommunications numbers are bound to be exhausted. In response to such foreseeable shortage of telecommunications numbers, it is required to ensure available telecommunications numbers for fixed telephone services. In addition, along with the development of IP-based networks, should tariffs for fixed telephone services be set forth regardless of distance, needs for telecommunications numbers as ID upon identifying differences between long-distance and local telephone calls would decline in the near future. Thus, the roles of telecommunications numbers shall be reviewed in advance.
Considering such backgrounds, this Study Group is to deliberate upon concrete measures for addressing the shortage of telecommunications numbers for fixed telephone services that are closest services to daily lives of the Japanese nationals by conducting a demand survey thereon from now on. In addition, along with the development of IP telephony services, the Study Group will deliberate upon i) area codes desirable for fixed telephone numbers, and ii) the roles of telecommunications numbers, among others.

2. Items to be deliberated upon

1) Demand survey for fixed telephone numbers and concrete measures for addressing shortage of telecommunications numbers
2) Desirable numbering plans, etc., such as for fixed telephone numbers in response to the development of IP technologies
3) Others

3. Schedule
After a series of its meetings following the first meeting on December 22, 2004, the Study Group will compile its findings as a report by June 2005.

Fig. Holding of "Study Group on Telecommunications Numbers in the IP Era"

Partial Report Submitted from Information and Communications Council concerning Technical Conditions for High-Power Passive Tag Systems Using 950 MHz band

On December 15, 2004, MIC received a partial report from the Information and Communications Council (Chair: Mr. AKIYAMA Yoshihisa, Chairman, Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.) concerning technical conditions for high-power passive tag systems using the 950-MHz band (UHF-band RFID systems).
RFID systems are expected to play a key role as an indispensable tool in the coming ubiquitous network society. In particular, RFID systems using the UHF band are a focus of attention because of the comparatively longer distance (5 m or longer) of communications, which will lead to new applications.

Fig. 1. Examples of 800/900 MHz band passive tag systems

1. Classification of UHF-band RFID tag systems
[800/900 MHz band passive tag systems]

• High-power type: Applications for corporate use utilizing long-distance communications; Readers/writers are mainly gate-types/stationary-type; Radio stations requiring licenses installed in premises
• Low-power type: Applications for ordinary users; Readers/writers are mainly handy-type; Radio stations requiring no license with power of 10 mW or lower

This partial report covers only highly needed high-power types. Technical conditions, including those for shared use, for low-power types requiring no license will be considered from now on.

[433 MHz band active tag systems]
It is required to conduct verification experiments in radio anechoic chambers for considering shared use with amateur radio. The Council will, based on results of the verification experiments, continue to consider technical conditions for 433 MHz band active tag systems.

2. Frequency bands
Based upon deliberations at meetings of study groups, etc. to date, the Council considered passive tag systems within 950 - 956 MHz, and interference with PDC (uplink: 956 – 957 MHz), STL (958 – 960 MHz), IMT-2000 (downlink: up to 950 MHz) and PHS with second harmonic.
The Council considered that frequency bands for passive tag systems should be shared with other small-power radio systems as in the U.S. and the EU. Toward the realization of a ubiquitous network society, the frequency bands concerned are expected to be used for a variety of applications.

Fig. 2 International comparison of allocated frequencies

3. Outline of technical conditions
Major points of technical conditions based on results of interference study are as follows:

• Antenna power shall be 1 W or lower and antenna gain shall be 6 dBi or lower (4 W: EIRP(36 dBm), same as in the U.S. and the EU).
• Frequency bands shall be 952 – 954 MHz in consideration of interference (sensitivity suppression) with adjacent systems.

4. Themes to be carried over for further deliberations
Themes to be carried over for further deliberations are as follows:

• Sharing technologies such as carrier sense and duty cycle
• Technical conditions for low-power 950 MHz band passive tag systems
• Technical conditions for 433 MHz band active tag systems

Telework for MIC Employees to Be Introduced

MIC introduced telework for its employees on a trial basis from January 4, 2005.

Objective:
Telework contributes to bringing about a more flexible working mode, creating jobs through an increase in job opportunities, promoting measures to address the low birthrate and an aging population, and preventing global warming. It is attracting more and more attention along with the recent drastic progress in information and communications technology (ICT).
Meanwhile, telework has not yet been introduced for government employees. From the viewpoint of promoting the introduction of telework in the entire employment system nationwide, there is strong demand for this to be implemented by government employees.
Taking such a situation into consideration, MIC has decided to implement the first trial of telework among government employees (funded by the General Account). Since possible issues relating to information security measures in particular will be examined in the telework trial, MIC is to address and resolve issues ahead of the full introduction of telework from FY2005.
Main items to be verified:

• Identifying topics on information security measures
• Identifying work management issues ahead of expanded implementation from FY2005

Schedule:
During January 4, 2005, through the end of February 2005, and compilation of a report by the end of FY2005.

Outline of MIC Telework Trial 1. Participants 4 people: Information Applications Promotion Office, Information and Communications Policy Bureau 2 people: Technical Advisor to CIO 2. Outline (1) Related to work management • Appointed teleworkers shall in principle work through the use of ICT equipment for at least one day a week. • Working hours shall be 9:30 through 18:00. • Teleworkers shall work at their homes and designated places (universities, libraries, etc.). (2) Systems to be used • Teleworkers shall connect their PCs and portable terminals to the MIC LAN system. • MIC issues PCs and portable terminals to teleworkers (equipment is to be issued on a rental basis; communications charges are to be paid by MIC; and electric power charges are to be shouldered by teleworkers.). • Access circuits linking teleworkers' homes and MIC Headquarters shall be fiber-optic circuits (best-effort type 100 Mbps: for 4 people) or ADSL (best-effort type 47 Mbps: for 3 people) for enabling high-speed communications. • Private IP networks shall be used for ensuring information security. A security gateway was installed at the Kasumigaseki Data Center for detecting viruses, implementing disinfection and blocking illegal access. • Smooth communications and work management will be realized through the use of TV conferencing (up to 15 people including officers of MIC Headquarters can simultaneously participate) and messenger functions (chatting functions, indication of each worker's absence/presence, etc.). 3. Posting of "teleworkers' diaries" Since January 4, 2005, the current status of teleworkers, "teleworkers' diaries," have been posted and renewed on a daily basis at the MIC website. Note: Private IP network: A closed users group (CUG) service for enabling group members concerned to provide easy-to-use IP communications among the group by utilizing FLETS ADSL, BFLET'S, etc.