Appeal for Opinions on Draft Partial Revision of Rules for Calculation, etc. of Subsidies and Contributions related to Provision of Universal Telecommunications Services

1.Background and outline of revision

  (1) Partial revision of the Rules for Calculation, etc. of Subsidies and Contributions related to the Provision of Universal Telecommunications Services The long-run increment cost (LRIC) system is used to calculate the amount of subsidies and contributions in the universal service system. The current Rules for Calculation, etc. of Subsidies and Contributions related to the Provision of Universal Telecommunications Services (Ministerial Ordinance of MIC No.64 of 2002, hereinafter “Rules for Calculation”) corresponds to the fourth LRIC model. However, in order to apply the fifth model to the calculation of subsidies granted after FY2012, the Rules for Calculation will be revised in a way that it reflects the fifth model.
  (2) Partial revision of the Rules for Reporting on Telecommunications Business A business operator that pays contributions under the universal service system is deemed to submit to the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications a report on telecommunications number as of the last day of each month by the last day of the month after next based on Article 9 of the Rules for Reporting on Telecommunications Business (Ministerial Ordinance of MPT No. 46 of 1988, hereinafter “Rules for Reporting”). The revision to move up the deadline for reporting will be made for the purpose of stable operation of said business related to reporting.
  (3) Partial revision of the Notice of Calculation Method of Number Unit Prices MIC Notice No. 429 of 2006 provides for the calculation method of number unit prices prescribed in each fiscal year. However, the month of commencement of number unit price application is not constant every fiscal year in the current calculation method and it is revealed immediately before the commencement of application. To address such circumstance, the calculation of number unit prices will be revised in the following aspects. 1. Fixed application period of number unit prices 2. More accurate calculation method of number unit prices 3. Improvement of necessary provisions
 

2.Guidelines for appeal for opinions

  (1) Subjects of appeal for opinions
  - Draft partial revision of the Rules for Calculation
  - Draft partial revision of the Rules for Reporting
  - Draft partial revision of the Notice related to Calculation Method of Number Unit Prices
  (2) Deadline for submission of opinions
   June 25 (Mon), 2012, 17:00PM (submissions by mail shall also arrive by this date) The subjects of appeal for opinions will be posted in the column of “press release” on the MIC website (http://www.soumu.go.jp) and the column of “public comments” on the e-government portal (e-Gov) (http://www.e-gov.go.jp) and also distributed at counters of contact.
 

3.Future plans

  The MIC will swiftly revise Ministerial Ordinances, etc. based on the results of the appeal for opinions.