Study Team on Measures for Applications of Optical Broadband Set Up
Notes from the first meeting of Study Team on Measures for Applications of Optical Broadband (held on November 10, 2009)
1. Goal
To make full use of the ultra-high-speed broadband network (optical broadband) that was put in place nationwide to build best models and supply them nationwide for the increased convenience of residents through regional public services and the implementation of large-scale reductions in administrative costs by eliminating inefficiency, along with formulating functional requirements for optical broadband and looking to reduce costs for the putting in place and operation, taking into consideration the latest technological trends.
* Estimates for fiscal year 2009 are for virtually 100% broadband coverage, with 90% optical fiber network coverage. The number of optical fiber subscribers is around 16 million.
2. Regional issues that need to be addressed urgently
• Reduction of administrative costs and improvement in quality (Optimizing e-municipalities)
• Support for medical care, education, and the revitalization of regional industry
3. Functional requirements for optical broadband to contribute to the solving of these issues (reliability and cost)
• Network requirements related to cloud services for shared applications
- With regard to municipalities' administrative affairs, such as taxes and health care, cloud operation of standardized existing shared business applications
- Web transmission and reception of video images for uses such as distance medical care or education
- Ensuring security through the use of Internet VPN or IP-VPN etc.
• Network requirements related to the use of terminals that do not place a burden on residents
- Easy-to-use terminals and software
- Remote security on the network side
- Centralized administration using cloud servers
5. Timeframe
The initial meeting was held on November 10, 2009, and an interim report is expected in the course of fiscal year 2009.
Results of Invitation for Public Comment Concerning Partial Revision of the Guidelines for Protecting Personal Information in the Telecommunications Sector and Their Interpretation
1. Outline of the revision
In order to protect personal information in the telecommunications sector, the Guidelines for Protecting Personal Information in the Telecommunications Sector and Their Interpretation were formulated to protect users' rights and benefits and improve the convenience of telecommunications services and put into effect in August, 2004 (with partial revisions in October 2005).
Based on the first recommendation of the Study Group Concerning the Various Problems with the ICT Service Based on User's Viewpoints, the Guidelines and their Interpretation are to be revised.
2. Revised items
(1) Measures based on the Partial Revision of the Basic Policy on the Protection of Personal Information, etc.
Based on the Partial Revision of the Basic Policy on the Protection of Personal Information (Cabinet Decision of April 2008), etc., items concerning matters described in a privacy policy and revision provisions are added and/or reworded.
(2) Information on persons in non-payment status, etc. (Related to Article 27 of the Guidelines)
In addition to information on persons in non-payment status, information on persons who refuse to undergo subscriber identification is added to information that can be exchanged among telecommunications carriers provided in Article 27.
(3) Information on subscribers pertaining to transmission of unwanted junk mails, etc. (Related to Article 15 of the Guidelines)
In the interpretation of Article 15, it is specified that the Act on Regulation of Transmission of Specified Electronic Mail (Act No. 26 of 2002) is the law set forth in Article 15 of the Guidelines (Personal information shall not be provided to any third party without the consent of the principle except in cases prescribed in law).
3. Future plan
With the results of the invitation for public comment and other matters taken into consideration, the MIC will promptly revise the Guidelines for Protecting Personal Information in the Telecommunications Sector and Their Interpretation.