Appeal for Proposals of New R&D Tasks Contributing to Expansion of Radio Wave Resources

1. Background and purpose

　Recent innovation in wireless technology, together with the diffusion of various services and businesses using radio waves, is consolidating the crucial role of radio wave utilization systems in people's lives. Moreover, it is hoped that the appearance of new radio wave utilization systems will form a solution strategy for Japan's various social problems, including its low birth rate and aging society, the issue of regional activation, and so on. However, at present it is difficult to introduce new radio wave utilization systems due to the extremely dense use of low frequency bands that have excellent user-friendliness.

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has since FY 2005 been implementing “R&D for Expansion of Radio Wave Resources,” commissioning universities and private organizations, etc. to carry out R&D for technologies enabling greater expansion of radio wave resources, so as to promote the effective use of finite and scarce radio waves in the introduction of new radio wave utilization systems.

　A wide-reaching appeal will now be held for proposals of new R&D tasks contributing to the expansion of radio wave resources, with the aim of using these proposals as source material when examining R&D projects to be implemented from FY 2013.

2. Period of appeal

　 From January 27 (Fri) to February 27 (Mon), 2012

3. Proposal outline

(1) Subject of appeal

　The proposals sought in this appeal are for R&D tasks that meet the criteria described below in A and B.

　However, the following are not covered: items that duplicate R&D tasks already being implemented, technology that has already been developed and contains no R&D components, or any combination of these. Please note that details of R&D tasks that are already being implemented can be found on the Radio Wave Utilization website (under implementation of R&D for expansion of radio wave resources). http://www.tele.soumu.go.jp/j/sys/fees/purpose/kenkyu/index.htm
　Furthermore, the current appeal does not include any appeal for R&D commissions.

A. R&D tasks relating to technology that will contribute to effective utilization of radio waves.

　　For example, this applies to the following types of technology:

(A) Technology designed for efficient utilization of radio waves, such as the compression of frequency bands currently used

(B) Technology enabling shared utilization of new wireless systems under existing wireless systems

(C) Technology pioneering the technical and economical utilization of high frequency bands such as ultra-micro wavebands and milli-wavebands, etc., and promoting migration to these frequency bands

B. R&D tasks that can be completed within approximately five years.

(2) Proposal method
　There are no specific limitations regarding proposal requirements.

　Proposals should be submitted to the following address before the deadline, either by email, fax or mail, with required items entered in Japanese in the form enclosed here.

　(Address for submissions)

　　Central Gov't Building No. 2, 10^th floor   2-1-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8926

　　Chief of Development, Radio Policy Division, Radio Department, Telecommunications Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)
　　　　Tel.: 03-5253-5876
　　　　FAX: 03-5253-5940 (after sending, please call to confirm arrival)
　　　　E-mail: wireless-rd_atmark_ml.soumu.go.jp
　　 　(In order to prevent spam mail, please replace “_atmark_” with “＠”.)
　(Submission deadline)

　　Must arrive no later than 17:00 on February 27 (Mon), 2012 (mailed submissions must also arrive by this date)

4. Handling of proposals

(1) Details of proposals will be used as source material when examining projects to be implemented from FY 2013 regarding R&D for the future expansion of radio wave resources. As part of this process, we may make inquiries concerning proposal details.
(2) Of the proposed R&D tasks, those which are deemed after expert assessments to be worthy of being dealt with preferentially will be factored into the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' (MIC) budget requests for the amount required to implement these tasks from FY 2013.

5. Other items

　A public appeal for commissions will be held in or around March 2013 for R&D to be implemented from FY 2013 based on the task proposals received.