March 4, 2022 Appeal for Opinions on Institutional Development to Simplify the Licensing Procedures for Experimental Test Stations in Extremely High Frequency Band

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) drafted a ministerial ordinance and pertinent conditions for partial revisions to the Regulations for Procedure for Obtaining a Radio Station License (Radio Regulatory Commission Rules No. 15 of 1950). These revisions will simplify the licensing procedures for experimental test stations in the Extremely High Frequency band.
Accordingly, MIC will make an appeal for opinions for the drafts from Saturday, March 5 through Monday, April 4, 2022.

1. Overview

With consideration of the recommendations in a report (August 2021) from the Radio Policy Roundtable in the Age of Digital Transformation, MIC has decided to utilize the institution of specific experimental testing stations and simplify the licensing procedures for experimental test stations in the Extremely High Frequency(EHF) bands above 100 GHz for the promotion of the research and development of Beyond 5G. Accordingly, MIC drafted the ministerial ordinance etc. to partially revise the Procedure for Obtaining a Radio Station License and make this appeal for opinions on the drafts.
A summary of the major revisions is as follows:

1. Expansion of the frequency range available to specific experimental test stations

For promoting research and development of Beyond 5G, the frequency band above 102 GHz and below 1100 GHz will be newly expanded as a frequency range that can be used for specified experimental test stations, with consideration of necessary conditions, such as the radio frequency usage, needs for demonstration tests, and measurement environment.
Based on the status of radio wave usage and other factors, the current frequency range used for specific experimental test stations below 100 GHz is also to be reviewed.

2. Relaxation of requirements for measuring instruments and other equipment for confirmation by pre-inspection on radio equipment

In the confirmation by pre-inspection on radio equipment for specified experimental test stations using radio waves above 110 GHz, the status of implementation of calibration or correction, as stipulated in Article 24-2, Paragraph 4, Item 2 of the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of 1950), will be considered. There is a case where it is difficult to inspect radio equipment using measuring instruments or other equipment that has been calibrated or corrected. The revision will make it possible to inspect radio equipment using measuring instruments or other equipment that the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications deems appropriate. It will also establish the requirements for such measuring instruments and other equipment.

3. Relaxation of the method of radio equipment inspection by registered inspectors

The review will also cover radio equipment inspection by registered inspectors. The upper limit of the frequency range for the measurement of unwanted emission intensity for the inspection of electrical characteristics of radio equipment will be relaxed to 100 GHz for the time being, with consideration of the radio frequency usage (practical frequency band).

2. Subject of appeal for opinions

• Partial revisions to the Radio Regulatory Commission Rules (Ministerial Ordinance No. 15 of 1950 for the Regulations for Procedure for Obtaining a Radio Station License)
• Notice that partially revises MPT Notice No. 87 of 1976 (Notice on minor matters of construction design that does not require permission under the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act)
• Draft notice for the partial revision of MIC Notice No. 279 of 2011 (Notice on matters that determine a method of conducting inspections, such as registration inspections, performed by registered inspectors, and a method of confirming specific tests for comprehensive testing of wireless equipment, based on the provisions of Article 20 and Appendix 7-3-3 (2) of the Regulations for Registered Inspectors)
• Notice to determine the frequencies for specified experimental test stations.
• Official Directive (MIC Directive No. 67 of 2001 to partially revise the Examination Standards related to the Radio Act)

3. Procedure of appeal for opinions

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  The published material is in Japanese only.

4. Submission period

From Saturday, March 5 and no later than Monday, April 4, 2022

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  Opinions, if submitted by postal mail, will be accepted if postmarked the same day.

5. Future plans

MIC will revise the relevant ministerial ordinance etc. with consideration of opinions submitted.