January 19, 2007

Authorization of Changes to Interconnection Tariffs Concerning Category I Telecommunications Facilities of NTT East and NTT West
-- Addition of provisions pertaining to charge settings for IPv6 communications between end-users via regional IP networks --

On January 19, 2007, MIC authorized applications for changes to interconnection tariffs concerning Category I telecommunications facilities of NTT East Corp. and NTT West Corp.
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 33 paragraph (2) of the Telecommunications Business Law (Law No. 86 of December 25, 1984), in order to enable IPv6 communications* (high-quality TV telephone, etc.) through interconnection between IP networks (IPv6 networks) of telecommunications carriers (other than NTT East and NTT West) and those of NTT East and NTT West, the NTT regional carriers (NTT East and NTT West) are to change their interconnection tariffs for preparing the provisions upon specification of the standard nodes of routers, standard time periods for interconnection, construction/installation charges, etc.
In addition, with regard to technical requirements for interconnection through the Ethernet which is based on IPv6, in accordance with the provisions of the same paragraph, the NTT regional carriers will change the appended tables of technical requirements and add the "provisions concerning IPv6 and Ethernet interfaces" to "interface specifications for router interconnection at existing offices accommodating IP networks."
*Note : With respect to the provision of high-quality TV telephone, etc. through interconnection of IP networks of the NTT regional carriers, pursuant to the provisions of Article 2 paragraph (5) of the Law Concerning Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, etc. (Law No. 85 of December 25, 1984), MIC authorized the services for providing interconnection based upon IPv6 as the "business activities by using facilities or technologies which are maintained in order to operate the business activities under the provisions of paragraph (3), or their staff" on November 30, 2006.

The interconnection tariffs (Japanese-language version) are available (Japanese-language version) at the following websites:
http://www.soumu.go.jp
http://www.e-gov.go.jp

[Reference]
Telecommunications Business Law (Law No. 86 of December 25, 1984) <Excerpts>

(Interconnection with Category I Designated Telecommunications Facilities)
Article 33.
(2) Any telecommunications carrier installing telecommunications facilities designated in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as "Category I designated telecommunications facilities") shall establish interconnection tariffs which specify the amount of money which said telecommunications carrier installing said Category I designated telecommunications facilities will receive (hereinafter in this article referred to as "interconnection charges") and other terms and conditions of interconnections, including technical requirements at interconnection points with telecommunications facilities of other telecommunications carriers, distinctions as to type of telecommunications carriers for which charges of telecommunications services are specified (hereinafter referred to as "terms and conditions of interconnections"), in terms of the interconnection of said Category I designated telecommunications facilities with the telecommunications facilities of other telecommunications carriers, and shall obtain authorization from the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications. The same shall also apply where such interconnection tariffs are to be amended.

Law Concerning Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, etc. (Law No. 85 of December 25, 1984) <Excerpts>
(Business Activities)
Article 2.
(5) In addition to the business activities under the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the Regional Companies may, subject to the authorization of the Minister, operate the telecommunications business activities and other business activities by using facilities or technologies which are maintained in order to operate the business activities under the provisions of paragraph (3), or their staff. In this case, the Minister shall grant authorization if it is deemed that the business activities operated by the Regional Companies do not interfere smooth implementation of the business activities under the provisions of the same paragraph and securement of fair competition of the telecommunications business.
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For further information about this press release, please fill in the inquiry form and submit it to MIC through 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