March 31, 2026 Guidance to hi-ho Inc. Regarding the Obligation of Dissemination of Suspension and Discontinuation of Telecommunications Operations

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has issued a written directive to the telecommunications carrier hi-ho Inc. (Representative Director: Keishi Nishiyama; Corporate Number: 3010001109761; Head Office: Toshima Ward, Tokyo), instructing the company to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Business Act (Act No. 86 of 1984), following the confirmation of violations of said Act.

1　Outline of the Case

　The hi-ho Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "hi-ho") failed to notify users in advance of the transition to fiber-optic service prior to the termination of VDSL service on January 31 of this year for the following consumer services: "Hikari Giga," "CLOUD LINE," "RayL Hikari," "Dantotsu Hikari," and "hi-ho Hikari" in certain apartment complexes, despite being required to do so, and VDSL service was suspended on February 2. Upon receiving a report from hi-ho, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications investigated the details of the case and found a violation of the obligation of Dissemination of Suspension and Discontinuation of Telecommunications Operations, as stipulated in Article 26-4, Paragraph 1 of the Telecommunications Business Act (Act No. 86 of 1984; hereinafter referred to as the “Act”).

2　Contents of Guidance

　To protect users' interests, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications issued the following guidance to hi-ho.

 （1）Strict compliance with the provisions of Article 26-4, Paragraph 1 of the Act

　Ensure strict compliance with the provisions of Article 26-4, Paragraph 1 of the Act (Dissemination of Suspension and Discontinuation of Telecommunications Operations).

 （2）Implementation of Measures to Prevent Recurrence and Reporting on Implementation Status

　Prevent any future cases of impropriety with this service. Furthermore, promptly implement measures to protect users' interests and submit a written report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications detailing those measures and their implementation status by the specified deadline.