July 29, 2008

For Speeding-Up Domestic Mobile Satellite Communications
Systems Using S-Band

Telecommunications Council consulted on technical requirements
Today, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) consulted the Telecommunications Council (Chair: SHOYAMA Etsuhiko, Chairman of Board, Hitachi, Ltd.) on the technical requirements for speeding-up domestic mobile satellite communications systems using S-band.

1. Background to the consultation
Domestic mobile satellite communications systems using S-band were legally established in August 1995 based on June 1993 report from the Telecommunications Technology Council on the technical requirements for domestic mobile satellite communications systems using S-band.

Such systems are widely used both on land and at sea, e.g., for local governments' measures against disasters, for measures against mobile phone dead zones and for communications with cargo vessels or fishing vessels navigating in Japanese coastal waters. Given the increasing need for high-speed transmission services, particularly for video transmission, using the Internet in recent years, there is a growing need to improve the transmission speed of the systems.

Under these circumstances, MIC consulted the Council on the technical requirements for speeding-up domestic mobile satellite communications systems using S-band.

2. Deliberation matters
The Council will deliberate on the technical requirements for speeding-up domestic mobile satellite communications systems using S-band.

3. Deliberation framework
The Mobile Satellite Communication Systems Committee will study the matter to contribute to the deliberation at the Telecommunications Technology Sub-Council.

4. Future schedule
The Council will submit MIC its report by around November 2008, and MIC will then make amendment to relevant provisions.

+++++++++++++++
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