December 28, 2021 Approval to Changes in Establishment Plans of NTT Docomo Inc. on Specified Base Stations

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has today approved the application of NTT Docomo Inc. (headed by II Motoyuki, President and CEO) for changes in its establishment plans on specified base stations for the spread of 3.9th-generation mobile communications systems (3.9G), and fourth-generation mobile communications systems (4G).

1. Background

Fourth-generation mobile communications systems (4G) and broadband wireless access systems (BWA) use frequencies lower than those assigned for fifth-generation mobile communications systems (5G) in April 2019. There is a growing need to use these frequencies for 5G and 5G-compatible BWA and secure a wide 5G service area to ensure mobility.
Considering these needs, MIC received a partial report from the Information and Communications Council on the technical requirements for 5th generation mobile communications systems (5G) and advanced broadband wireless access (BWA) in March 2020 and made institutional development for technical requirements in August 2020.
In response to the above, to open a 4G frequency band for 5G., NTT Docomo Inc. applied for changes in its establishment plans. One of these plans is for specified base stations to spread 3.9G (hereafter referred to as the “3.9G establishment plan”). The other is to spread 4G (hereafter referred to as the “4G establishment plan”). NTT Docomo’s application was based on the provisions of Article 27-14, Paragraph 1 of the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of 1950; hereafter referred to as the “Act”). NTT Docomo is currently reviewing its plans for the next fiscal year and beyond, considering changes in the environment, such as people’s rising expectations for 5G area expansion and trends in the semiconductor supply chain. After this approval, NTT Docomo intends to apply for another plan change.
MIC examined the application based on Paragraph 2 of the same Article. As a result, MIC recognized the appropriateness of the changes in the establishment plans and has today approved them.

2. Outline of changes in establishment plans

Schedule including 3.9G establishment plan

Rate of municipal population coverage	No changes (In fiscal 2019, the rate of municipal population coverage in the jurisdiction of each Regional Bureau of Telecommunications recorded at least 80%) [Reference] Concerning the number of 5G specific base stations to be opened in the current plan, NTT Docomo is reviewing its plan for the next fiscal year and beyond in light of rising expectations for 5G area expansion and changes in the environment, such as trends in the semiconductor supply chain. After this approval, NTT Docomo will apply for the change of the plan again.
Securement of base station locations	Considering measures that utilize infrastructure sharing in areas where it is difficult to secure land to construct base stations. Paying attention to the Japanese government’s IT-related procurement policy and procurement procedure of goods or services.
Ensuring safety and reliability	Paying attention to the Japanese government’s IT-related procurement policy and procurement procedure of goods or services.
Institutional development for legal compliance, personal information protection, and user interest protection	As for the appropriateness of the publicity methods for informing users of 5G communication performance, following the guidelines indicated in a report of the New-generation Mobile Communications System Subcommittee of the Department on Information and Communications Technology under the Information and Communications Council, and plan to protect user interests through the methods. Planning to create an area map for users’ ease to understand the communication quality difference due to frequency characteristics.

Establishment plan for 4G

Population coverage	Concerning the number of 5G specific base stations to be opened, NTT Docomo is reviewing its plan for the next fiscal year and beyond in light of rising expectations for 5G area expansion and changes in the environment, such as trends in the semiconductor supply chain. After this approval, NTT Docomo will apply for the change of the plan again.
Securement of base station locations	Considering measures that utilize infrastructure sharing in areas where it is difficult to secure land to construct base stations. Paying attention to the Japanese government’s IT-related procurement policy and procurement procedure of goods or services.
Ensuring safety and reliability	Paying attention to the Japanese government’s IT-related procurement policy and goods or services procurement procedure.
Institutional development for legal compliance, personal information protection, and user interest protection	As for the appropriateness of the publicity methods for informing users of 5G communication performance, following the guidelines indicated in a report of the New-generation Mobile Communications System Subcommittee of the Department on Information and Communications Technology under the Information and Communications Council, and plan to protect user interests through the methods. Planning to create an area map for users’ ease to understand the communication quality difference due to frequency characteristics.
MVNO promotion	Providing services to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) through wholesale telecommunications services. (There is a track record of providing services to those other than existing operators at base stations at designated frequencies). MVNOs and their contracts (limited to 5G systems and L2 connections) expected in number at the end of 2024 are as follows: Number of MVNOs: 24; Number of contracts: Approximately 8.5 million
Various pricing	Offering rate plans that meet users’ lifestyles, such as high-capacity data communications at lower prices as 5G services. Planning to continue reviewing and expanding its pricing plans and services based on the needs of various users.

3. Conditions for approval to changes

In approving the changes in the establishment plans for the spread of 3.9G, the establishment plans for the spread of 4G, etc., the conditions currently attached shall be revised. Furthermore, the following conditions shall be added.

1.
Strive to popularize a wide range of broadband services.
2.
Strive to improve the safety and reliability of telecommunications equipment, including measures against power outages and congestion and prevention of communication failures.
3.
When using the frequencies for 5G mobile communications systems, take adequate cybersecurity measures, including measures against supply chain risks, with consideration of the following: The Info-Communications Safety and Reliability Standards (MPT Notice No. 73 of 1987), the Unified Standard Group for Information Security Measures of Government Agencies (2021 version, determined by the Cyber Security Strategy Headquarters on July 7, 2021), and the Consultations regarding Procurement Policies and Procurement Procedures for Goods or Services in Japan related to IT Procurement (December 10, 2018, under relevant ministries agreement).
4.
Strive to promote the use of the specified base stations by interconnecting telecommunications equipment, providing wholesale telecommunications services, and other methods to those not assigned with frequencies. In particular, provide services that promote specified base stations. Then open the connection function, optimize the interconnection fees and wholesale telecommunications service charges. Strive further to promote the use of the specified base stations by electrically interconnecting using a communication method that uses the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) tunneling protocol.
5.
Strive for low-cost, clear, and satisfying pricing that meets the needs of mobile phone users.
6.
When using frequencies for 5G mobile communication systems, the performance, including communication speed, should be properly disseminated by a polite and easy-to-understand method, such as an area map, so that the user does not misunderstand.
7.
Regarding the implementation of termination promotion measures, strive to form a sufficient consensus with the target licensees, strive for smooth implementation, and ensure sufficient transparency.
8.
Considering that mobile phones have become an important means of living for people, steadily open base stations in dead zones.
(The following conditions are attached for approval to the changes in the establishment plans for the spread of 3.9G, etc.)
9.
When opening and operating a specific base station, respond appropriately to prevent and eliminate reception problems in terrestrial digital broadcasting.

Contact

For further information about this press release, please fill in the inquiry form and submit it to MIC on the website
https://www.soumu.go.jp/common/english_opinions.html

Global Strategy Division, Global Strategy Bureau, MIC

TEL: +81 3 5253 5920

FAX: +81 3 5253 5924

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