Partial Reply concerning Area Broadcasting-type Systems Using White Space, and Appeal for Opinions on System Maintenance Plan (Technology-related)

1. Outline

　On January 30, 2012, a partial reply was received from the Information and Communications Council ICT Subcommittee concerning technical requirements for wireless equipment that can enable viewing with existing One-Seg receivers among broadcasting-type systems using white space. An outline of this partial reply can be found in the enclosed documents.
　Based on this, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has drafted a system maintenance plan (technology-related) concerning area broadcasting-type systems using white space. Accordingly, there will now be an appeal for opinions on this system maintenance plan (technology-related).
　Meanwhile, since January 17, 2012 there has been an ongoing appeal for opinions relating to system maintenance (non-technology related) for area broadcasting-type systems using white space.

2. Outline of public appeal for opinions

(1) Subjects of appeal for opinions

　○ Ministerial ordinances

　・Ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of Radio Equipment Regulations (1950 Radio Regulatory Council Regulation No. 18)

　・Ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of Regulations for Technical Standards Compliance Verification, etc. in Special Wireless Equipment (1981 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Order No. 37)

　・Ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of Regulations for Registration Inspection Businesses, etc. (1997 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Order No. 76)

○Bulletins

　・Bulletin plan for partial revision of Item Establishing Simple Operations Not Requiring Radio Engineer Qualifications (1990 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Bulletin No. 240)

　・Bulletin plan for partial revision of Item Establishing Implementation Methods, etc. for Inspections Conducted by Registration Inspection Businesses, etc. and Specific Confirmation Methods for Comprehensive Examinations of Wireless Equipment based on Regulations in Article 20 and 3(2) of Annexed Table 7.3 in Regulations for Registration Inspection Businesses, etc. (2011 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Bulletin No. 279)

○Directives

　・Directive plan for partial reform of Radio Law-related inspection standards (2001 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Directive No. 67)

(2) Deadline for submission of opinions
　Opinions must arrive by March 1 (Thu), 2012.

　Please note that the system maintenance plan, etc. will 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 comments” section of the e-Gov (http://www.e-gov.go.jp) coordinated electronic government website, and will be distributed at the point of contact provided at the end of this document.

3. Schedule

 System maintenance will be carried out based on the opinions submitted, as well as the Radio Regulatory Council reply to a forthcoming inquiry, etc.

Related reports and documents

○Appeal for Opinions on Draft Report from Broadcast System Committee (Concerning technical requirements for broadcast-type systems utilizing white space) (November 29, 2011)

○Appeal for Opinions on System Maintenance Plan for Area Broadcasting Systems Using White Spaces (January 16, 2012)

○Results from Appeal for Opinions on Draft Report from Broadcast System Committee (Concerning technical requirements for broadcast-type systems utilizing white space) (January 30, 2012)

○Distributed materials and outline of proceedings from 84^th Information and Communications Council ICT Subcommittee Meeting (January 30, 2012)

○Reference: Broadcasting System Committee – status of meetings, distributed materials, etc.