Results from Appeals for Opinions on System Maintenance Plan for Area Broadcasting Systems Using White Spaces, and Partial Reply from Radio Regulatory Council

1. Background

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) created ministerial ordinance plans for system maintenance of area broadcasting using white spaces, with an appeal for opinions on non-technology-related plans held from January 17 to February 16, 2012, and an appeal for opinions on technology-related plans held from February 1 to March 1, 2012.

2. Inquiry submitted to Radio Regulatory Council, and partial reply

　On March 14, 2012, an inquiry was submitted to the Radio Regulatory Council concerning necessary items, and a reply was received from the Council stating its approval of the original plan.

3. Schedule

(1) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) will promptly revise the relevant laws and ordinances based on results from the appeals for opinions and the reply from the Radio Regulatory Council. A plan for revision of ministerial ordinances, etc. is provided as follows.
　・Ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of Broadcast Act enforcement regulations (1950 Radio Regulatory Council Regulation No. 10)
　・Ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of basic standards (1950 Radio Regulatory Council Regulation No. 12) for establishment of radio stations (excluding main broadcasting offices)
　・Ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of basic standards (1950 Radio Regulatory Council Regulation No. 14)
　・Ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of radio station license procedural rules (1950 Radio Regulatory Council Regulation No. 15)
　・Ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of radio station license procedural rules (1950 Radio Regulatory Council Regulation No. 17)
  ・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)
  ・Ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of item establishing key broadcasting channels that can abbreviate broadcasting of call symbols and names by means of radio station regulations (1959 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Order No. 509)
　・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 partial revision of 2003 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Bulletin No. 859 (item establishing code table (excluding radio station objective codes and communication items codes) for recording radio station items and construction design specifications attached to radio station license applications in respective fields)
  ・Bulletin plan for partial revision of item establishing code table for publication in intended code fields and communication item codes in radio station documents attached to radio station license applications (2004 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Bulletin No. 860)
  ・Bulletin plan for partial revision of the frequency allocation program (2008 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) bulletin plan no. 714)
　・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)
　・Directive plan for partial reform of Radio Law-related inspection standards (2001 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Directive No. 67)
 
(2) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has also created an entry manual for reference to contribute to smooth applications by those who wish to enter area broadcasting. Future postscripts and amendments to the entry manual will be posted on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) (http://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_news/s-news/02ryutsu07_03000049.html). A chart providing a rough outline of frequencies available for area broadcasting (channel space map) will be published at a later date as an annex to the entry manual.

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)
 
Partial Reply concerning Area Broadcasting-typeSystems Using White Space, and Appeal for Opinions on System Maintenance Plan (Technology-related) (January 31, 2012)