March 31, 2009

Results of Solicitation for Applications to Be Support Organizations for Viewers of Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting

Looking to complete the transition to terrestrial digital broadcasting successfully on July 24, 2011, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) solicited applications from organizations that wish to provide consulting service and implement measures with regard to reception of digital broadcasts and those that wish to operate a call center for terrestrial digital broadcasting. The application period was from February 20 until March 13, 2009.

Subsequently, considering external experts' assessment of the contributed proposals, MIC selected the organizations to conduct the respective businesses.

1. Outline of the businesses
(1) Providing consulting service and implementing measures with regard to reception of digital broadcasts
a. Purpose
With a view to completing the transition to terrestrial digital broadcasting successfully on July 24, 2011, the intent of this business is to provide tailored and detailed advice and explanations in consideration of local circumstances at MIC Television Viewer Support Centers established at 51 locations across Japan, so that all viewers can appropriately prepare the environment to receive such broadcasts.
b. Qualifications for the organization to provide the service
An incorporated organization
(2) Operating a call center for terrestrial digital broadcasting
a. Purpose
The intent of this business is to handle telephone inquiries from viewers at a call center for terrestrial digital broadcasting.
b. Qualifications for the organization to provide the service
An incorporated organization

2. Support organizations for viewers of terrestrial digital broadcasting
MIC solicited applications to be support organizations for the businesses from February 20 until March 13, 2009, and it received one application for each business. Considering external experts' assessment of the contributed proposals, MIC selected the Association for Promotion of Digital Broadcasting to provide consulting service and implementing measures with regard to reception of digital broadcasts, and NHK Business Services Inc. to operate a call center for terrestrial digital broadcasting.

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