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On September 14, 2011, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) submitted an inquiry to the Radio Regulatory Council (Chairman: Hiroshi Harashima, emeritus professor at the University of Tokyo) concerning ministerial ordinance plans, etc. for partial revision of Radio Law Enforcement Regulations (1950 Radio Regulatory Council Regulation No. 14), Procedural Rules for Radio Station Licenses (1950 Radio Regulatory Council Regulation No. 15), Radio Equipment Regulations (1950 Radio Regulatory Council Regulation No. 18) and Regulations for Technical Standards Compliance Verification, etc. in Special Wireless Equipment (1981 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Order No. 37) in order to carry out system maintenance for the introduction of radio stations relaying mobile radio communications. A reply was subsequently received from the Council stating its approval of these as per the original plans.
In addition, an appeal for opinions on the plans, etc. subject to this reply was held from August 9 to September 7, 2011, during which time three opinions were submitted. These opinions and the MIC's views on these opinions are officially announced herein.
1. Background of reforms
The number of mobile phone subscriptions in Japan has reached 122.45 million (as of the end of August 2011), 99.2% of which are for mobile phones that use 3G mobile communications systems (IMT-2000), indicating that the migration from 2G mobile communications systems is steadily progressing.
Additionally, there are expectations for the introduction of high-speed, high capacity and user-friendly mobile communications systems to cope with speed increases and diversification in social and economic activities, as well as the trend for expansion of Internet connections, transmission of dynamic images and the use of data communications by mobile telephones.
Due to the spread of mobile phones, mobile phone businesses are extending new base stations and installing “radio stations to relay mobile radio communications” (“land-based mobile relay stations” and “land-based mobile terminals (so-called 'low-power repeaters' to carry out relays)”), which serve as equipment for the relay and amplification of radio waves from base stations and land-based mobile stations (terminals), in response to the increasing needs of those who want to use mobile phones not only outdoors but also inside homes and stores, etc. with favorable radio wave circumstances.
On the other hand, current technical standards for radio stations relaying mobile radio communications are regulated for each communication system, and it is necessary to newly establish technical standards for systems when introducing new-generation mobile communication systems, which means there is a possibility that smooth introduction of new technology will be obstructed.
In view of these circumstances, in December 2009 the Information and Communications Council commenced deliberation over “technical requirements for radio stations relaying mobile radio communications” to decide on technical standards for “radio stations relaying mobile radio communications” independently of communication systems, and a partial report was compiled in May 2011.
Based on this partial report, there will be partial revision of bulletins relating to Radio Law Enforcement Regulations, Procedural Rules for Radio Station Licenses, Radio Equipment Regulations and Regulations for Technical Standards Compliance Verification, etc. in Special Wireless Equipment, as well as new establishment of bulletins in relation to “radio stations relaying mobile radio communications” in order to establish technical standards for radio stations relaying mobile radio communications.
2. Outline of reforms
Ministerial ordinances and relevant bulletins will be revised and enacted as follows, together with system maintenance of “radio stations relaying mobile radio communications” independently of communication systems.
・Ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of Radio Law Enforcement Regulations
・Ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of Procedural Rules for Radio Station Licenses
・Ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of Radio Equipment Regulations
・Ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of technical standards compliance verification, etc. in special wireless equipment
・Bulletin plan for partial revision of 2009 MIC Bulletin No. 248
・Bulletin plan for partial revision of 2007 MIC Bulletin No. 457
・Bulletin plan for partial revision of 1989 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Bulletin No. 42
・Bulletin plan for partial revision of 1986 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Bulletin No. 378
・Bulletin plan for partial revision of 2004 MIC Bulletin No. 859
・Bulletin plan establishing technical requirements for transmission equipment of radio stations relaying mobile radio communications
・Bulletin plan for partial revision of 2005 MIC Bulletin No. 1299
・Bulletin plan for partial revision of 2009 MIC Bulletin No. 247
・Bulletin plan for partial revision of 2004 MIC Bulletin No. 88
・ Bulletin plan for partial revision of 1993 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Bulletin No. 407
・Bulletin plan for partial revision of 2011 MIC Bulletin No. 87
3. Schedule
System maintenance will promptly be carried out based on the Radio Regulatory Council's reply and results from the appeal for opinions.
Related reports and documents
Appeal for Opinions on Ministerial Ordinance Plans, etc. for Partial Revision of Radio Law Enforcement Regulations, etc. (August 8, 2011)
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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
https://www.soumu.go.jp/common/english_opinions.html
International Policy Division,
Global ICT Strategy Bureau, MIC
TEL: +81 3 5253 5374 / FAX: +81 3 5253 5924 |
