Appeal for Opinions on Draft Review of Classification of Purpose and Communication Items relating to Radio Station License Applications, etc.

1. Background, etc.

  In order to ensure fair and efficient use of radio spectrum, purposes and communication items, etc. are stated in radio station license applications. 
  Since radio stations are used for a great variety of purposes, radio stations are efficiently supervised and controlled with the statement of purposes and communication items in radio station license applications. 　
  According to some, however, the classification of these purposes and communication items is too wide-ranging. Therefore, the MIC has decided to review these purposes and communication items within a range where they do not impede the supervision and control of radio stations. Please note that the large bundling of radio station purpose classifications has been studied and concluded during FY 2011 in the “Regulation/system reform policy” (cabinet decision of April 8, 2011).
 

2. Outline

(1) Concept of review 　
・Purposes
  In order not to impede maintenance of efficient use of radio spctrum, etc. even in cases where current classifications have been reassessed, there will be consolidation of current purpose classifications with the prerequisite of maintaining classifications that are essential for guaranteeing the foundations of industry, economic activity and people's lives, etc. as well as classifications that are essential for frequency allocation. Furthermore, classifications will conform to purposes established in the “Essential Standards for Establishing Radio Stations Other Than Broadcast Stations” (Radio Regulatory Commission Rules No. 12 of September 11, 1950), which is the standard for inspection of radio station license applications, and the “Frequency Assignment Plan” (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Public notice No. 714 of 2008), which points out frequencies that can be allocated. 　
・Communication items
  There will be improvement of classifications where any of the following are required: confirmation of purpose compatibility, decisions on reduction and exemption of spectrum users fee, and decisions on propriety of radio station information, etc. Furthermore, there will be consolidation of items for which appropriate radio station supervision can continue regardless of current communication items.

(2) Advantages of review 　
・Optimization of radio station license application work
  It is thought that the catalog properties of purposes and communication items should be improved by means of drastic simplification, thereby optimizing the application work of the applicant. 　
・Making radio spectrum utilization flexible
  By integrating communication items, it is thought that there will be an increase in the number of cases where approval by Radio Act of additions/modifications to radio station communication items becomes unnecessary.
 

3. Outline of public appeal for opinions

(1) Subject of public appeal for opinions
  Draft Review of Classification of Purpose and Communication Items relating to Radio Station License Applications, etc. 

(2) Time limit for submission of opinions 　
  Must arrive no later than 17:00 on May 1, 2012 　(Mailed submissions must also arrive by this date)
 

4. Schedule

  Based on results from this appeal for opinions, another public appeal will be held after creating a revision plan for the relevant regulations, and these will then be serviced and established after establishing a period of familiarization and transitional measures for radio station licensees, etc.