June 16, 2008

Licenses and Preliminary Permits for Regional WiMAX Radio Stations

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) received 41 license applications during the application period of March 3 to April 7, 2008, and one application1 on March 14, 2008, for 2.5 GHzgigahertz band (fixed regional band) radio stations for broadband mobile wireless access systems (hereinafter, "regional WiMAX radio stations"). MIC grants licenses or preliminary permits to these 42 applicants.

1. Status of granting licenses and preliminary permits for regional WiMAX radio stations
To the 42 applicants, namely 41 cable broadcasters and one telecommunications carrier, MIC grants licenses prescribed in Article 12 of the Radio Law (Law No. 131 of 1950) or preliminary permits2 prescribed in Article 8 of the same Law.

With this move, about 630,000 households across Japan will be able to enjoy a wide variety of services tailored to regional characteristics provided via regional WiMAX.

2. Opinions, etc. from the Regional WiMAX Evaluation Committee
Considering the opinions from the Regional WiMAX Evaluation Committee formed by the following external experts, MIC will continue to promote regional WiMAX.
Members of the Regional WiMAX Evaluation Committee (in the order of the Japanese syllabary; honorifics omitted)
Kazuyoshi Kurokawa Professor, Graduate School of Regional Policy Design, Hosei University
Michiko Kuroda Professor, School of Computer Science, Tokyo University of Technology
Norihisa Doi Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University
Ichiya Nakamura Professor, Keio University Graduate School of Media Design
Junichi Hamada Managing Director (Executive Vice President), The University of Tokyo
Hitoshi Mitomo Professor, Graduate School of Global Information and Telecommunication Studies, Waseda University
Hiroyuki Morikawa Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo

3. Other
(1) The licenses and preliminary permits are granted with necessary conditions attached pursuant to Article 104-2 of the Radio Law and in consideration of the opinions from the Committee.
(2) MIC will continue to accept applications for regional WiMAX radio stations, as required, and examine the applications in the order in which they are accepted.

Notes:
1. MIC received an application from Hinoki, a cable broadcaster in Tokushima prefecture, on April 14.
2. Licenses are granted to applicants who intend to use only radio equipment having a conformity mark, while preliminary permits are granted to those who intend to use radio equipment that does not fall under such a category. The applicants who are receiving preliminary permits will receive licenses following the inspection of completed construction work.

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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