October 31, 2024 Results of the Public Consultation on the Draft Ministerial Ordinance to Partially Amend the Enforcement Regulations of the Telecommunications Business Act and Related Matters, and the Report from the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council

 The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications recently consulted the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council (Chaired by AIDA Hitoshi, Specially-appointed Professor of the University of Tokyo) regarding a draft ministerial ordinance for partial amendment of the Enforcement Regulations of the Telecommunications Business Act (Consultation No. 3183, dated August 23, 2024).
 The MIC conducted a public consultation from Saturday, August 24, 2024 to Tuesday, September 24, 2024. In addition, a second consultation regarding matters concerning interconnection was conducted from Friday, September 27, 2024 to Thursday, October 10, 2024.
 Today, MIC received a report from the Council regarding this matter. MIC will now publish the submitted opinions, the second opinions, its perspectives on them, and the report.
 Based on these considerations, MIC plans to promptly revise the Enforcement Regulations of the Telecommunications Business Act (Ministerial Ordinance of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications No. 25 of 1985).

1. Overview of the revisions

 Based on the report “Ideal State of Voice Access Charges after the Migration to IP Networks” (dated June 17, 2024) from the Information and Communications Council, necessary provisions will be established to address the following matters concerning the calculation of voice access charges effective from January 1, 2025.
 (1) Calculation methods for access charges for metal IP phones, wireless fixed phones, and Hikari phones after the migration to IP networks.
 (2) Provisions were added regarding the calculation method of access charge costs after the migration to IP networks.
 (3) Handling of communication volumes, etc., used in calculating access charges.
 (4) Handling of uniform access charges for eastern and western regions.
 (5) Deletion of provisions related to statutory functions and access charge calculation methods associated with the PSTN due to the migration to IP networks.
 (6) Development of other regulations

2. Results of the public consultation and the report

 The public consultation regarding this amendment was conducted from Saturday, August 24, 2024 to Tuesday, September 24, 2024. During this period, 4 opinions were submitted. The public consultation regarding matters concerned with interconnection was again conducted from Friday, September 27, 2024 to Thursday, October 10, 2024. During this period, 1 opinion was submitted.

3. Future plans

 The MIC will expedite the completion of the relevant ordinances and regulations, considering the results from the public consultation, the report and other relevant factors.