July 26, 2007

Introduction of Low-Power Repeaters for Cellular Telephones and PHS

Partial report from the Telecommunications Council
MIC today received a report from the Telecommunications Council (Chair: SHOYAMA Etsuhiko, Chairman of Board, Hitachi, Ltd.) on the technical requirements concerning low-power repeaters for cellular telephones and PHS, as a partial report in response to the Telecommunications Technology Council Consultation No. 81 of July 24, 1995, on measures for efficient use of frequencies for cellular telephones and the like.

[Background]
Cellular telephone subscribers and PHS subscribers in Japan as of the end of June 2007 number about 98 million and 5 million, respectively. Cellular telephones and PHS are widely used as the most accessible information and communications systems in the national life. Additionally, an increase of indoor use, such as at homes and stores, in addition to outdoor use has boosted the need for an environment where satisfactory radio waves become available for indoor use.

Meanwhile, there have been many cases where non-holders of radio station licenses install illegal cellular telephone repeaters in places such as indoors and stores in underground shopping malls, and the radio waves emitted by these repeaters cause cellular telephone system interference.

In order to solve the problem of indoor cellular telephones being placed out of range and prevent installation of illegal repeaters, the introduction of small low-power repeaters, which can be installed inexpensively and expeditiously in places such as residences and stores by cellular telephone operators, is much anticipated.

Under these circumstances, the Telecommunications Council began deliberations on the technical requirements concerning low-power repeaters for cellular telephones and PHS on January 24, 2007. It has submitted a partial report based on the deliberation results today.

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International Policy Division,
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