November 15, 2005

Public Comments to Be Invited on "Licensing Procedures For Introducing High-speed and Large-capacity Maritime Satellite Communications Systems"
and MIC Notices Related Thereto

MIC has developed a draft MIC ordinance "Licensing Procedures For Introducing High-speed and Large-capacity Maritime Satellite Communications Systems" and draft MIC notices related thereto. Thus, MIC invites public comments thereon.


[Background]
At the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-03) held in June 2003, deliberations were made upon Earth Stations on board Vessels (ESV), which are capable of transmitting/receiving high-speed and large-capacity maritime satellite communications. Subsequently, WRC-03 allowed ESVs to communicate with space stations (satellite stations) for fixed satellite services in C band or Ku band.
Under such circumstances, in response to the report from the Information and Communications Council on "technical requirements for ESVs on high-speed and large-capacity maritime satellite communications," MIC on October 12, 2005, inquired of the Radio Regulatory Council on the draft MIC ordinance to amend the "Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Law (Radio Regulatory Commission Rules No. 14 of November 30, 1950)" and related regulations. These "Licensing Procedures" are needed to introduce ESV systems.

Taking into account the public comments to be submitted, MIC will make the MIC ordinances and MIC notices effective as from January 2006.
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For further information about this press release, please fill in the inquiry form and submit it to MIC on the website
http://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/eng/contact.html
International Policy Division,
International Affairs Department
Telecommunications Bureau, MIC
TEL: +81 3 5253 5920 / FAX: +81 3 5253 5924