March 28, 2024 Results of Solicitation for Opinions on the Draft Report for “Cost Calculation under the Universal Service System for Broadband Services” and Publication of the Report

 The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) solicited opinions on the draft report for “Cost Calculation under the Universal Service System for Broadband Services” compiled by the Study Group on Cost Calculation under the Universal Service System for Broadband Services (Chaired by SEKIGUCHI Hiromasa, Professor, Faculty of Business Administration, Kanagawa University) from Wednesday, February 7 to Monday, March 11, 2024.
 Based on the submitted opinions, the study group has compiled a report on “Cost Calculation under the Universal Service System for Broadband Services”.Accordingly, MIC will publish the report and disclose the submitted 7 opinions along with MIC’s views on the opinions.

1. Background

 Regarding the universal service system for broadband services, the Information and Communications Council’s Report on the “Ideal State of the Basic Telecommunications Service System Relating to Broadband Services, etc.” (February 7, 2023) deemed appropriate the use of a standard model in designating support areas and calculating subsidies.
 Accordingly, MIC has held the “Study Group on Cost Calculation under the Universal Service System for Broadband Services” (hereinafter referred to as the “Cost Calculation Study Group”) from September 2023 to study and verify the establishment of a standardized formula to be used in the actual designation of support areas and calculation of subsidies.
 A draft report on “Cost Calculation under the Universal Service System for Broadband Services” was compiled at the Cost Calculation Study Group’s seventh meeting on Friday, February 2, 2024, and solicitation for opinions was held. As a result, seven opinions were submitted.
 Considering the results of the solicitation for opinions, a report on “Cost Calculation under the Universal Service System for Broadband Services” was compiled at the Cost Calculation Study Group’s eighth meeting held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

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