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A request for aged persons and others to hurry with terrestrial digital broadcasting and antenna support, etc.
Ahead of the complete migration to terrestrial digital broadcasting on July 24 (Sun), 2011, there will be reinforcement of assistance for aged persons and others who remain unprepared as well as antenna countermeasures for residential households. Households that are still unprepared should quickly confirm matters to ensure that support is not delayed beyond July 24 (Sun) due to construction work backlogs, etc.
Please note that further information regarding fixed-term extension of terrestrial analog broadcasting in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures due to the effect of the Eastern Japan Great Earthquake Disaster will be provided again at a later date.
1. Reinforcement of support for aged persons, etc.
(1) Opening of “Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Temporary Consultation Corners”
For two months from June 15 (Wed) (from June 27 (Mon) in some regions) to August 26 (Fri), Digi-Support (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Television Recipient Support Center) will open “Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Temporary Consultation Corners” (see enclosed documents for outline) in 1,600 locations across 44 prefectures (excluding Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures), mainly at town halls in each area, in order to deal with a rush of consultations from households that remain without terrestrial digital broadcasting support prior to the termination of terrestrial analog broadcasting as well as urgent consultations thereafter.
These “Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Temporary Consultation Corners” will provide consultations regarding reception of terrestrial digital broadcasting, information concerning all kinds of support systems, support for applications to make use of temporary satellite broadcasting, etc., interview support including dealings with each prefecture's Digi-Support and stores, and mobile reception consultations using a mobile consultation vehicle (the Digi-Support Car). In addition, provisions will be made to ensure that direct consultations with Digi-Support in each prefecture can be carried out even when those consulting are absent, through direct calling installed at each Corner.
Please see the Digi-Support website for specific details of installation locations and operating hours.
(2) “Reinforcement of activities through “terrestrial digital broadcasting volunteers,” etc.
(i.) Calls on aged persons and others by around 400,000 “terrestrial digital broadcasting volunteers”
Thanks to cooperation from organizations active in all parts of the country (including volunteer organizations, NPOs and district welfare officers) as well as national organizations (the Scout Association of Japan and the Future Child-Raising Network (Mothers' Club)), various activities have been expanded nation-wide since the end of January 2011, including calls to urge aged persons and others to gain support for terrestrial digital broadcasting, distribution of cards detailing consultancy telephone numbers, etc., and distribution of terrestrial digital broadcasting-related pamphlets. At present, approximately 2,000 organizations and around 400,000 volunteers are active, and the participation of “terrestrial digital television broadcasting volunteers” continues to expand (please see the enclosed documents for examples of activities).
(ii.) Opening of “Towns' Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Consultation Corners”
Electrical stores affiliated with the Electrical Products Association of Japan (approximately 20,000 locations) and cable television businesses affiliated with the Japan Cable and Telecommunications Association (approximately 170 locations) plan to provide extensive terrestrial digital broadcasting-related consultations via “Towns' Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Consultation Corners” that will be publicized with flags.
(3) Reinforcement of support for persons with economic difficulties by means of simple tuners, etc.
Free provision (delivery) of simple tuners to persons who are exempt from full NHK broadcasting license fees, visits, installation and antenna construction work, etc. are being provided as assistance for digitalization support to households that are still unable to receive terrestrial digital broadcasting due to economic reasons, while free provision (delivery) of simple tuners and telephone support are being provided to persons in households that are exempt from municipal tax (including special ward tax).
For approximately two months, from the end of June to the end of August, a compliance system with cooperation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Tuner Support Center and Digi-Support will be prepared to urgent applications immediately before and after the termination of terrestrial analog broadcasting.
Specifically, in order to ensure that tuners can be used immediately after application, tuners will be delivered promptly without visit date adjustments, etc. Also, support for the application procedure will be provided at “Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Consultation Corners.”
Telephone support is being provided to persons in households that are exempt from municipal tax and who are troubled due to lack of knowledge about simple tuner installation and operation procedures. However, for persons to whom telephone support alone will not suffice (such as aged persons living alone, etc.), support will be provided through visits in cooperation with Digi-Support.
Please note that the application deadline for this support is July 24 (Sun) (mailed submissions bearing postmarks of this date will also be accepted), but applications arriving beyond this deadline will be dealt with flexibly if the applicants are facing difficulties after the termination of terrestrial analog broadcasting.
For further details, please contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Tuner Support Center.
2. Reinforcement of antenna countermeasures in South Kanto, etc.
The installation of UHF antennas necessary for reception of terrestrial digital broadcasting is being carried out by recipients on an individual basis, but pamphlets are being distributed to encourage antenna support, particularly targeting residential houses and some apartment buildings, etc. in South Kanto where only VHF antennas are installed (see enclosed documents for examples in Kanto). Therefore, please hurry to provide support so as not to ensure that antenna construction work does not miss the deadline.
In regions where terrestrial digital broadcasting radio waves are strong (i.e., strong electric field areas such as places that are relatively close to relay stations), it may be that reception is broadly possible using simple tuners installed on verandas and elsewhere (including indoor antennas). In these regions, terrestrial digital broadcasting testers (see enclosed documents for images) for simple confirmation of the possibility of terrestrial digital broadcasting reception may be enclosed in pamphlets distributed from the middle of June onwards. Alternatively, persons in these regions may consider using simple antennas. (Please note that Digi-Support is also carrying out an initiative for fixed-term testing of simple antennas. Please contact Digi-Support for further details.)
3. Large-scale reinforcement of telephone consultation system
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Call Center is providing core support for consultations regarding terrestrial digital broadcasting. As well as reinforcing common knowledge by means of broadcasting, etc., the telephone consultation system will be progressively reinforced to facilitate support for the ever-increasing number of telephone inquiries. Specifically, from June onwards the number of operators has been increased to 370, and immediately before and after the termination of terrestrial analog broadcasting the number of operators will be increased further still to somewhere in the region of 1,200 operators. From July 18 (Mon) until after the termination of terrestrial analog broadcasting, operating hours will likewise be expanded to provide a system of 24-hour consultation.
In addition, in consultations accepted by the Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Call Center and Digi-Support, information regarding electrical stores, cable television and relevant trade associations will be provided as necessary. Please feel free to make inquiries even if they are not specifically related to support for terrestrial digital broadcasting, as the call centers will readily provide assistance for inquiries concerning all kinds of support measures, individual consultations concerning regional circumstances, and general questions concerning where to submit inquiries.
4. Other initiatives
(1) “Specific support for digitalization by means of “door-to-door visits”
Regional electrical stores and cable television businesspersons are providing support as “terrestrial digital broadcasting supporters” (200,000 persons are registered nation-wide) by making specific reception consultations and store introductions, etc. If you would like to receive a consultation visit, please contact your local Digi-Support or Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Temporary Consultation Corner.
(2) “Temporary use” of satellite countermeasures
A project of temporary countermeasures for poor reception is being implemented for the benefit of persons who are unable to view terrestrial digital broadcasting due to poor reception, etc. (Districts covered by this project are published in the “Satellite Broadcasting Target List (White List) for Countermeasures Against Poor Reception of Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting,” and persons covered by this project will be guided on an individual basis.)
In addition to this, since June 1, 2011 it has become possible for persons who will be unable to complete antenna construction work, etc. in time for the termination of analog broadcasting to make “temporary use” of satellite countermeasures (individual preparation of reception equipment such as BS antennas, etc. is required).
For further details, please contact the Dpa information center for satellite broadcasting as a countermeasure against poor reception of terrestrial digital broadcasting.
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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 |
