November 18, 1994
Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications
Guidelines on Commercialization of Telephone Service Utilizing Cable TV
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) has established the following guidelines on telephone service using cable TV (hereinafter referred to as "cable telephony"), based on hearings conducted with cable TV operators, telecommunications carriers and others.
1. Business entry
Persons who want to engage in the cable telephony business are required to obtain a Type I telecommunications carrier's license under the provisions of the Telecommunications Business Law (Law No. 86 of 1984).
2. Numbering system
(1) It shall be possible to adopt a numbering system shared in common with NTT.
(2) In cases where a numbering system shared in common with NTT is adopted, the area codes shall be the same as those used by NTT and the local exchange numbers shall be ones specified by MPT as numbers identifying a cable telephony carrier. The cable telephony carrier will assign numbers to subscribers.
Example of a cable TV telephone number in Tokyo
(3) MPT will continue to study a desirable plan for number portability, whereby users could still use the same telephone number even if they change the telephone company to which they subscribe.
3. Interconnection between carriers
It is desired that interconnections between telecommunications carriers be implemented smoothly under suitable conditions, based on discussions between the carriers involved.
- [Reference]
- "Diagram of an Interconnection Model for Cable Telephony"
4. Rates and service
(1) A variety of inexpensive user's rates should be established on the basis of costs.
(2) The provision of emergency call services (numbers 110 and 119) shall be assured.
(3) NTT should take measures to enable its directory assistance service and telephone directory service to be used under suitable conditions by cable telephony carriers wishing to do so.
Please send your comments and suggestions to manual@mpt.go.jp