February 13, 2009

Radio Interference of Some Types of
BS Broadcasting Reception Systems

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) confirmed that some types of BS broadcasting reception systems might interfere with other radio systems as they emit radio waves when receiving radio waves for BS channel 21 or 23, which is to be used in 2011 and onward. MIC and the relevant parties thus jointly established a liaison meeting on radio interference of some types of BS broadcasting reception systems, which has since studied countermeasures.

The liaison meeting has recently decided to establish a countermeasure council.

Background
Twelve frequencies are currently assigned to BS broadcasting in Japan through international coordination. Of these, four (channels 17, 19, 21 and 23) are not in use. In response to the Radio Regulatory Council report of July 2007, the use of these channels for BS digital broadcasting in 2011 and onward has been decided.

Following that decision, from the end of January to early February, 2008, an experiment was conducted for the study of new broadcasting systems, which were then under deliberation at the Telecommunications Council for application to BS digital broadcasting, using two of the four frequencies (channels 21 and 23). The experiment was suspended, however, as soon as a telecommunication carrier who is providing mobile telephone services reported reception interference with some of its mobile phone (1.5 GHzgigahertz PDC) base stations.

MIC and relevant parties conducted research and confirmed that some types of BS broadcasting reception systems that use an outdoor amplifier to receive BS broadcasting emit radio waves when they receive the waves for BS channel 21 or 23, and might therefore interfere with existing mobile phone radio systems and such.

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International Policy Division,
Global ICT Strategy Bureau, MIC
TEL: +81 3 5253 5920 / FAX: +81 3 5253 5924