March 4, 2011

Appeal for Opinions on Service Maintenance concerning V-High Multimedia Broadcasting Business Licenses and Radio Station Licenses

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) is moving ahead with its study of systems relating to the authorization of commissioned broadcasting businesses for new broadcasting that aims to utilize frequencies that are becoming available due to the complete digitalization of terrestrial television broadcasting, specifically that which uses frequencies between 207.5MHz and 222MHz (hereinafter, "V-High multimedia broadcasting"). System maintenance is also be conducted in relation to radio stations used when carrying out this broadcasting.
Accordingly, there will be an appeal for opinions on the relevant system maintenance plans from March 5 (Sat) to April 4 (Mon), 2011.

1. Background

With regards to V-High multimedia broadcasting, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) authorized "Plans Establishing Special Base Stations Using Frequencies Between 207.5MHz and 222MHz" (hereinafter, "establishment plans") in September 2010, while from October to November of the same year the MIC sought opinions on the "Thinking Behind System Maintenance for Authorization of Mobile Device-oriented Multimedia Broadcasting Business Commissions" and surveyed potential market entrants.
Based on these results, the MIC has drawn up system maintenance plans for the authorization of commissioned broadcasting businesses for V-High multimedia broadcasting, as well as system maintenance plans in relation to radio station (special base station) licenses for those whose establishment plans have been authorized, and opinions on these matters will now be sought.

2. Appeal for opinions

(1) Subjects of appeal for opinions
1. System maintenance for authorization of commissioned broadcasting businesses

Names of ministerial ordinances, etc. to be revised and enacted	Draft (new/old)
Broadcast Act enforcement regulations (1950 Radio Regulatory Council Regulation No. 10)	See attachments
Law Concerning Broadcast on Telecommunications enforcement regulations (2002 MIC Order No. 5)	See attachments
Standards for freedom of expression concerning broadcasting channels (2008 MIC Order No. 29)	See attachments
Ministerial ordinance establishing exceptions from standards for freedom of expression concerning broadcasting channels for subsidiaries of authorized broadcasting holding companies (2008 MIC Order No. 30)	See attachments
Broadcasting Diffusion Master Plan (1988 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Bulletin No. 660)	See attachments
Item establishing matters relating to notification of changes to business plans of commissioned broadcasting businesses (1990 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Bulletin No. 595)	See attachments
Item establishing when the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications is to make separate bulletins, based on regulations in 19.3.4 of Broadcast Act enforcement regulations Article 17 (1999 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Bulletin No. 776)	See attachments
Broadcast Act-related Inspection Standards (2001 MIC Directive No. 68)	See attachments
Policy for authorization of commissioned broadcasting businesses concerning mobile reception site broadcasting applications received between xx/xx/2011 and xx/xx/2011 (limited to broadcasting using frequencies between 207.5MHz and 222MHz) (newly established)	See attachments

2. System maintenance for radio station licenses

Names of ministerial ordinances, etc. to be revised	Draft (new/old)
Basic standards for establishment of broadcasting channels (1950 Radio Regulatory Council Regulation No. 21)	See attachments
Radio station license procedural rules (1950 Radio Regulatory Council Regulation No. 15)	See attachments
Regulations for registration inspection businesses, etc. (1997 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Order No. 76)	See attachments
Broadcast-use Frequency Utilization Plan (1988 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Bulletin No. 661)	See attachments
Item establishing code table (excluding radio station objective codes and communication items codes) for recording radio station items and construction design specifications attached to radio station license applications in respective fields (2003 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Bulletin No. 859)	See attachments
Item establishing code table for publication in intended code fields and communication item codes in radio station documents attached to radio station license applications (2004 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Bulletin No. 860)	See attachments
Broadcast Act-related inspection standards (2001 MIC Directive No. 68)	See attachments

    Please note that an outline of this system maintenance plan and reference materials can be found in the enclosed documents.

  (2) Period of appeal for opinions
    March 5 (Sat) to April 4 (Mon), 2011 (must arrive no later than 12:00)
    Mailed submissions must also arrive by this date.

  (3) How to submit opinions
    Please refer to the enclosed outline of the appeal for opinions.

    Please note that this appeal for opinions will also be published in the "Public comment" field of e-Gov (http://www.e-gov.go.jp/), the electronic coordinated government contact website.

3. Schedule

The system will be service based on the opinions submitted and the report from the Radio Regulatory Council, etc.