February 28, 2006

Second Public Comments to Be Invited on Reception Systems for Number Portability Applications
-- Changes to Interconnection Tariff Concerning Category I Designated Telecommunications Facilities of NTT East --

On January 25, 2006, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications inquired of the Information and Communications Council on "authorization of changes to Interconnection Tariff Concerning Category I Designated telecommunications facilities of NTT East (the provision of functions for reception systems for number portability applications)."
Thus, the Council invited public comments thereon during the period from January 25 through February 23, 2006.
In addition, taking into consideration public comments submitted to MIC, the Council invites additional public comments thereon until March 13, 2006.
To date, telecommunications carriers installing Category I Designated telecommunications facilities are receiving applications from users for local number portability via facsimiles. Pursuant to the provisions of Article 33 paragraph (2) of the Telecommunications Business Law, the changes to handling charges under the interconnection tariff concerning Category I Designated telecommunications facilities of NTT East will enable users to send applications for number portability via the Internet.
Those wishing to submit public comments, please fill out the official form using the Japanese language and submit it to MIC.
After the additional public comments procedures, the Council will deliberate upon those comments and compile a report for submittal to the Minister.
The public comments submitted to date are available at the websites:
http://www.soumu.go.jp
http://www.e-gov.go.jp
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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/joho_tsusin/eng/contact.html

International Policy Division,
International Affairs Department
Telecommunications Bureau, MIC
TEL: +81 3 5253 5920 / FAX: +81 3 5253 5924