Appeal for Opinions on Reform Plan for “Guidelines on Application of Verifications (Stack Tests) of Relation Between Connection Fees and Charges to End-Users”

  The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has drawn up a reform plan for “Guidelines on the application of verifications (stack tests) of the relation between connection fees and charges to end-users” (hereinafter, “Guidelines”).
  Accordingly, an appeal for opinions on this reform plan will be held from May 19 (Thu) to June 17 (Fri), 2011.

1. Background

  In general, since retail fees generate reasonable profit on cost when market mechanisms are functioning effectively, verifications (stack tests) of the relation between connection fees and charges to end-users are conducted to verify the validity of connection fees. Therefore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) decides on Guidelines that establish basic thinking and specific implementation methods, etc. to guarantee transparency in the operation of stack tests.
  A Guideline reform plan has now been drawn up to cover the following points, and an appeal for opinions on this reform plan will be held from May 19 (Thu) to June 17 (Fri), 2011.

(1) Addition of Business Ether Wide
  Based on the unbundling of Ethernet frame transmission functions (Ethernet connection functions) in Next Generation Networks in FY 2010, Business Ether Wide has been added to the stack test verification classifications implemented by businesses establishing connection fees.

(2) Deletion of Mega Data Netz
  Based on decreasing demand for Mega Data Netz and the diminishing extent of its influence on end-users due to migration to alternative NGN services such as Ethernet connection functions, etc., as well as the view that its necessity and relevance are declining when judged against stack test connection fee standards, Mega Data Netz has been deleted from the stack test verification classifications implemented by businesses establishing connection fees.

2. Outline of appeal for opinions

  Subjects of appeal for opinions: Guideline reform plan and new-old comparison table (see enclosed documents)
  Deadline of appeal for opinions: 17:00 on June 17 (Fri), 2011 (mailed submissions must also arrive by this date)
  For further details, please refer to the enclosed outline of the appeal for opinions.
  Please note that the subjects of the appeal for opinions can be inspected at the address provided at the end of this document, and will also be published in the “Reports and documents” area of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) website (http://www.soumu.go.jp) as well as in the “Public comment” field of e-Gov (http://www.e-gov.go.jp), the electronic coordinated government contact website.

3. Schedule

  The guidelines will promptly be revised based on the opinions received.

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For further information about this press release, please fill in the inquiry form and submit it to MIC on the website
http://www.soumu.go.jp/joho_tsusin/eng/contact.html

International Policy Division,
Global ICT Strategy Bureau, MIC
TEL: +81 3 5253 5374 / FAX: +81 3 5253 5924