December 11, 2024
Results of the Opinion Solicitation on Partial Amendments to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business Act and Report from the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council
- Addition of "Justifiable Reasons for Refusing Requests to Interconnect Telecommunications Facilities" -

　On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) consulted the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council, chaired by AIDA Hitoshi, specially-appointed professor at the University of Tokyo, on partial amendments to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business Act (October 2, 2024, Consultation No. 3186). The MIC conducted the first opinion solicitation from Thursday, October 3, 2024, to Friday, November 1, 2024, and the second solicitation from Monday, November 11, 2024, to Sunday, November 24, 2024.
　Today, we received a report from the Council stating that it is appropriate to make the partial amendments as consulted.
　The MIC plans to promptly improve the Regulations for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business Act (Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Ordinance No. 25 of 1985) based on this report and solicited opinions.

1. Overview

　The MIC organized the Study Group on Calculation of Interconnection Charges,etc (hereinafter referred to as the "Study Group") to deliberate on the interconnection system, a foundation for ensuring fair competition, in order to facilitate the smooth provision of various services in a competitive environment. Recently, intentional practices, known as "Traffic Pumping," have been observed, where interconnection charge income is generated by exploiting "unlimited call services" provided by mobile operators for voice transmission services. To strictly restrict these activities, the MIC has decided to develop necessary regulations that reflect the changes in the circumstances surrounding interconnection systems. This decision is supported by the results of the Study Group's deliberations and the 8th report published by the Group on Thursday, September 12, 2024. Accordingly, the MIC will partially amend the Regulations for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business Act (Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Ordinance No. 25 of 1985, hereinafter referred to as the "Ministerial Ordinance").

2. Results of the solicitation for opinions and the report

　On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the MIC consulted the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council regarding the amendments to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business Act.
　The MIC solicited opinions on the amendments from Thursday, October 3, 2024, to Friday, November 1, 2024, and received six opinions.
　Subsequently, the MIC solicited opinions again from Monday, November 11, 2024, to Sunday, November 24, 2024, and received six opinions.
　Today, the MIC received a report from the Council stating that it is appropriate to proceed with the amendments as consulted.

3. Upcoming schedule

　Based on the results of the opinion solicitations and the report, the MIC will promptly amend the Ministerial Ordinance.