MIC COMMUNICATIONS NEWS

The Result of the “15th Japan-EU High-Level Consultations on ICT” and “Japan-EU ICT Symposium”

In this consultations, Japan and the EU discussed “ICT strategies and research activities”, “Development of new technologies such as wireless communications”, “Appropriate regulation corresponded to changes of the network structure”, “Spam and cyber security”, “Digitization of broadcasting, ” WSIS”, and so on. Both Japan and the EU agreed to build a closer relationship.

In the ICT Symposium, titled “Technological Trend and Business Model of Wireless Broadband”, we had keynotes from both executive authorities, and a panel discussion with industries and academics taking part. Finally we agreed to maintain our efforts to promote a cooperative relationship with the participation of the private sector, in order to adopt our best practices to catch up with the rapid development of wireless technologies, and the changes in wireless business circumstances.

Japan-EU High-Level Consultations on ICT
Chairs
[Japan] Mr. Kan’ichiro Aritomi, Vice-Minister for Policy Coodination, MIC and others

[EU] Mr. Fabio COLASANTI, Director-General of the Information Society and Media DG, EC and others

Outline of results
(i) ICT strategies and development activities
Both sides exchanged information and opinions on ICT strategies and technological strategies.
Japan explained the u-Japan policy package, the UNS strategy, etc., and the EU explained the “i2010” strategy, the “FP7” research framework program, etc.
As a result, both sides agreed on the importance of information communications infrastructures as social infrastructures, and the necessity of private-sector initiatives for the technical development support.

(ii) Development of new technologies such as wireless communications
Both sides exchanged information and opinions on new movements, such as activities for the effective use of frequencies, the circumstances around mobile phones and the UWB wireless system/Power Line Communication (PLC), and so on.
As a result, both sides agreed on making efforts toward accordance of technological standards on the UWB wireless system, which is expected to enhance services.

(iii) Appropriate regulations relative to the change of the network structure
Both sides exchanged information and opinions on the present status of telecommunications services and regulations.
As a result, both sides agreed to recognize the importance and to exchange information closely in order to have the best practices in common on technology innovation, regulation reform relative to changes of network structure and vertical integration of businesses.

(iv) Spam and cyber security
Both sides exchanged information and opinions on principal anti-spam activities and information security policies.
Japan explained amendment of the “Law on regulation of transmission of specified electronic mail” and the National Information Security Center, etc. The EU explained intraregional anti-spam measures, ENISA (European Network and Information Security Agency), etc.
As a result, both sides agreed on the necessity of strengthening their cooperative relationship, especially on anti-spam measures.

(v) Digitization of broadcasting
Both sides exchanged information and opinions on the present status of and activities in the digitization of broadcasting.
Japan explained activities towards complete transition to digital broadcasting, the coming of mobile broadcasting, etc. The EU explained the transition schedule for digital broadcasting, and technological standards.
As a result, both sides agreed to maintain the close exchange of opinions.

(vi) WSIS
Both sides exchanged information and opinions on activities toward the second phase of the WSIS (World Summit on the Information Society), considering the discussion in the third preparative meeting held in September 2005.
As a result, both sides agreed to maintain cooperation toward the success of WSIS.

Japan-EU ICT Symposium
Attendances
[Executive authorities]

[Japan] Mr. Kan’ichiro Aritomi, Vice-Minister for Policy Coodination, MIC

[EU] Mr. Fabio COLASANTI, Director-General, the Information Society and Media DG, EC

[Other participants]
Telecommunications operators, manufacturers, etc. from Japan and the EU (about 200 people)

Theme
“Technological Trend and Business Model of Wireless Broadband”

Outline of results
Japan and the EU executive authorities addressed keynote speeches on activities in wireless broadband and the future business model. Then we held a panel discussion with industries and academics taking part in the panel discussion, we agreed that we will maintain our efforts to promote a cooperative relationship with the participation of the private sector, in order to adopt our best practices to catch up with the rapid development in wireless technologies, and the changes in wireless business circumstances.

MIC Announces Action Plan for Radio Spectrum Reallocation (revised)

MIC is announcing a revised version of the Action Plan for Radio Spectrum Reallocation that was formulated in August 2004, in order to approach the reallocation of the radio spectrum in a smooth and steady follow-up, based on the evaluation results of the survey on actual radio spectrum use (applying to frequency bands above 770 MHz and below 3.4 GHz) that was conducted during FY2004.

Background and goals
MIC formulated the Action Plan for Radio Spectrum Reallocation and announced it on August 31, 2004, to show concrete actions for a smooth and steady follow-up of the reallocation of the radio spectrum based on the evaluation results of survey on actual radio spectrum use.

MIC has announced a revised version of this action plan, in order to follow up with new actions that take into consideration the evaluation results of survey on actual radio spectrum use in FY2004.

Outline of revisions
Measures for effective radio frequency use in systems such as fixed wireless, radiolocation and satellite communications.
With regard to the effective use of the radio spectrum that is used in fixed, radiolocation and satellite communications systems, which was set as a topic to be investigated during FY2004, the directions compiled by the Study Group for Wireless Broadband Promotion (interim report announced in April 2005) are referred to. They will be taken into account in the future when a proper investigation is conducted.

Action Plan for each frequency band
(i) A new action plan for the 770-960 MHz band and the 1.4-1.71 GHz band will be added, taking into consideration the evaluation results of the survey on actual radio spectrum use in FY2004 (applying to frequency bands above 770 MHz and below 3.4 GHz).
(ii) With regard to the previous plan which was based on the evaluation results of the survey on actual radio spectrum use in FY2003 (applying to frequency bands above 3.4 GHz), an update will be implemented taking into consideration the state of progress.

Future plans
MIC will steadily take concrete actions for each frequency band.
Regular revisions of this action plan will be implemented, taking into consideration the evaluation results of the yearly survey on actual radio spectrum use, changes in the radio spectrum use environment, etc.

Examples of the detailed approach toward radio spectrum reallocation, newly added or updated by this revision

Frequency Division	System	Detailed Approach
760-960MHz band	800MHz band Field Pickup Unitfor TV Broadcasting	(1) Implementation of research and development of technology for move to narrow band (from 2006) (2) Investigation of measures for effective use of the radio spectrum (by March 2009)
	Airport Radiotelephony(Airport MCA)	Steady implementation of shift to 400 MHz digital system (by May 2010)
	Regional Disaster PreventionRadio Communication	Steady implementation of shift to 260 MHz digital system (by May 2011)
	800MHz band MCA Land Mobile	(1) Reduction of part of the bandwidth that is in use (by May 2007) (2) Investigation of measures for effective use of the radio spectrum (by March 2007)
	Personal Radio Communication	Taking into consideration trends in the number of radio stations, investigation of impact in case of elimination (by March 2007)
	950MHz band Studio - Transmitter Link (STL) and Transmitter – Transmitter Link (TTL) for Sound Broadcasting	Taking into consideration the state of usage, investigation of a swich to wired system or shift to other frequency bands (by March 2007)
1.4-1.71GHz band	1.5GHz band MCA Land Mobile Communication	(1) Reduction of part of the bandwidth that is in use (by September 2007) (2) Investigation of measures for effective usage of the vacant frequency bands (by March 2007)
1.4-1.71GHz band	1.5GHz band Portable Radio Communication(Cellular Phone)	(1) Investigation of long-term improvement from 2G to 3G (by March 2007) (2) Investigation of measures for effective usage of the vacant frequency bands in areas other than the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya agglomerations (by March 2007)
3.4-3.6GHz band,3.6-4.2GHz band,and 4.4-5.0GHz band	3.4-3.6GHz band,3.6-4.2GHz band,and 4.4-5.0GHz band	Directions compiled and announced concerning measures for the effective use of the radio spectrum in satellite communications systems (April 2005)
3.6-4.2GHz band,and 4.4-5.0GHz band	Fixed Stations for Commercial Telecommunications Service	Stoppage, ahead of schedule of 4.9 to 5.0 GHz band use in the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya agglomerations (by November 2005)
3.6-4.2GHz band,and 4.4-5.0GHz band	next-generation Home Information Appliance(Proximity transmission of HDTV programs from TV tuner to display, etc...)	Ongoing investigation concerning desirable frequency bands and necessary bandwidth (by November 2005)
5.25-5.85GHz band	5GHz band Wireless Access(Wireless LAN)	Introduction of wireless LAN following the establishment of international standards relating to compatibility with radar
5.25-5.85GHz band	5GHz band Meteorological Radar	Formulation of technical standards and decision on alternative frequency bands (by March 2006)
13.25-15.4GHz band	15GHz band Image Transmission by Helicopter	Implementation of practical research and development for formulation of technical standards for digital system (from FY2004)

The Study Group on a Framework to Support ICT Use by People with Disabilities Announces Its Report

Background and goals
ICT has already become an indispensable tool even in terms of economic activities and, most particularly, it is expected to be of even greater merit in making it possible for people with disabilities to work from home and participate in society by allowing them to access all kinds of information. However, it cannot be said that the ICT use by people with disabilities has progressed under the current circumstances.

At present, support for the ICT use by people with disabilities (“ICT support” below) is taking place in various regions mainly based on volunteer activities. However, ICT support through public services still seems inadequate and a number of problem areas are clear. Taking this situation into consideration, it became necessary to conduct an investigation on i) measures for improving skills required for persons who support ICT use by people with disabilities (support personnel below), and measures for fostering such persons and ii) a model framework for efficient and effective supporting ICT use by people with disabilities within their nearby communities.

MIC therefore set up the Study Group on a Framework to Support ICT Use by People with Disabilities, which has met on 7 occasions starting from May 2004, and also implemented on-site testing (in Kanagawa Prefecture and Tokyo’s Nerima Ward) from July 2004 to February 2005. The group’s report was announced in September 2005.
(Further information concerning the study group is available at:
http://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_news/s-news/2005/050926_4.html)

Principal contents of report
The skills required for support personnel and training methods
The people who implement ICT support have been divided by function into 3 categories, “Support Planning Manager”, “Support Overseer” and “Support Staff”, and the skills required of each category have been clarified.
(The roles of the various types of support personnel)
- Support Planning Manager
To put in place and adjust the various resources (both human resources and regional resources) which would be most appropriate in an ICT support environment for people with disabilities.
- Support Overseer
Oversee support staff, and take responsibility to carry out the ICT support most appropriate to people with disabilities.
- Support Staff
To offer direct support to ICT activities by people with disabilities (this includes existing volunteers).
In addition, the study group investigated and proposed a curriculum necessary for the training of support overseers and support planning managers (with regard to support staff, it was determined that they could be dealt with using existing training, and so they were determined to be outside the subject of this study group).

Proposal of model for ICT support system
The study group has proposed a 3-tier model, divided into “nationwide level”, “prefectural level” and “city, town and village level”, as a model system for offering efficient and effective ICT support, as well as a road map for bringing about this model. In addition, it also mentioned that the realization of such a system would promote the building of ties with the welfare profession.
(Roles by level in the proposed model)
Nationwide level
- -- ICT support infrastructure to support ICT support personnel
- -- Training of support planning managers
Prefectural level
- -- Creation and adjustment of support plans by support planning managers
- -- Follow-up of cases that are difficult to be dealt with at the city, town and village level
- -- Training of support overseers
City, town and village level
- -- Contact function
- -- Consultation by support overseers and adjustments and guidance within region
- -- Direct support by support staff, and training of support staff

MIC’s future actions
This report proposes the frameworks that should be investigated in gathering and providing information that should be included in an ICT support infrastructure, as actions for building an ICT support infrastructure that should be implemented on a nationwide level. MIC will be implementing the following actions starting from FY2005.
- MIC will set up of an ICT Support Portal Site (http://www.ict-shien.jp/) between November 4, 2005, and the end of March 2006, with the aim of investigating a framework for gathering and providing information that will become the basis of support for ICT use by people with disabilities. By asking ICT support organizations across the country to use this site, MIC will implement an on-site evaluation of its usefulness
- MIC will implement an investigation to establish methods to grasp the efficiency of ICT support quantitatively
- MIC will implement support for the human resources training business, in order to promote the training of personnel with high skill levels, such as support planning managers.

International Policy Division,
International Affairs Department,
Telecommunications Bureau,
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)
1-2, Kasumigaseki 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8926, Japan
Fax: +81-3-5253-5924
Tel: +81-3-5253-5920
We welcome your comments via:
http://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/eng/contact.html
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http://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/eng/newsletter.html

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