Communications Industry Forecasts of Business Conditions
--Results of October 2006 Survey on “Overall Results of Japan’s Communications Industry” (Prompt Report)--
- The sales forecast diffusion index (DI)*1 shows: the telecommunications carriers and cable TV operators continue to be in “plus” (meaning that a majority of carriers and operators expecting an increase of sales). Commercial broadcasters remain in “minus.”
- The business conditions diffusion index (DI)*2 shows: Telecommunications carriers and cable TV operators continue to be in “plus” (meaning that a majority of carriers and operators expecting an increase of business conditions). Commercial broadcasters continue to be in “minus.”
Notes:
*1. Sales forecast diffusion indices (DIs): the “percentage points of companies saying that their sales amounts are increasing compared to the previous quarter” minus the “percentage points of companies saying that their sales amounts are decreasing compared to the previous quarter.”
*2. Business conditions diffusion indices (DIs): the “percentage points of companies saying that business conditions are improving compared to the previous quarter” minus the “percentage points of companies saying that business conditions are worsening compared to the previous quarter.”
The survey on business trends in the telecommunications industry
The “overall result of Japan’s communications industry” is designed to grasp the business trends in the communications industry (telecommunications and broadcasting). The survey has been carried out on sales, sales forecasts etc. since April 1995.
Businesses surveyedThe number of surveyed businesses for each type of business (telecommunications carriers and broadcasters) is calculated proportionally with the type’s share in revenues for FY2005. To be statistically significant, the sampling number, as calculated from the number of parent populations in the communications industry, is set at 133. The businesses surveyed are sampled in descending order from the one with the largest sales down to the 133rd one.
Survey methodConducted by questionnaires (mailing of survey card, responses by businesses via fax or the Internet).
Survey items1. Sales, financial position and business conditions forecasts (conducted in July, October, January and April).
2. Sales (conducted every month).
Request to mobile telephone operators concerning encouraging the spread of filtering services to limit access to harmful sites
Background to the request
In recent years, minors have been accessing harmful information on the Internet such as so-called online dating sites, and the number of resulting incidents has been on the increase. As part of this, it has become necessary to take measures rapidly with regard to mobile telephones which guardians find difficult to keep an eye on, from the point of view of protecting minors. It is thought that, as far as dealing with harmful information on the Internet, use of filtering services for selective access of information on the user side is effective, but the rate of recognition for filtering services remains at low levels. That is why the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications made a request on November 20, 2006 to mobile telephone operators to strengthen the voluntary measures they are taking to promote the spread of filtering services.
Request contents
In concrete terms, the contents of the request are as follows:
(1) Plan to strengthen activities to recommend use of filtering services
a- In cases where a minor holds the contract, check with the guardian concerning their opinion on the use of filtering services
b- Activities to encourage use by existing users
c- Strengthen directions to agencies concerning running promotional activities
(2) Plan to promote greater information and education concerning filtering services
(3) Work to provide filtering services that respond to user needs
(4) Implement regular evaluations concerning the spread of filtering services
MIC will continue to work in coordination with the industry and relevant government offices to put in place an environment in which minors can safely use their mobile telephones to connect to the Internet.