Recent Regulatory and Policy
Developments, Japan
10 May, 2010
Shoji MIHARA
Director, Multilateral Economic Affairs Office
International Economic Affairs Divisions
Global ICT Strategy Bureau
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan
1
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), JAPAN
Broadband Service Subscribers in Japan
MIC
(Unit: 10 thousands contracts)
2,000
Optical Fibers (FTTH)
1,800
17.2mil
1,600
1,400
DSL
1,200
1,000
11.18 mil
800
Cable Internet
600
FTTH
exceeded DSL
（June 2008）
4.11 mil
400
200
Start WiMAX service
Feb. 2009
 Now, services are providing all over the Japan.
0
Note: Reported numbers compiled by MIC in accordance with the provisions of the Rules for Reporting on Telecommunications
Business.(Numbers compiled before the end of December 2009 were reported voluntarily by carriers)
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), JAPAN
2
Future Application in the Mobile Terminals
MIC
Data
communication
(Internet
access)
Telephone (Voice)
2G
～kbps
3G
～384kbps
Image transmission
(Camera phone)
3.5G
～14Mbps
3.5G upgraded
～42Mbps
～100Mbps
Real-time / HD Image Transmission
(HD Video)
3.9G
4G
～1Gbps
“Hello,
…”
Game
Video telephony
Photo/Video mail
TV
Weather
forecast
Navigation
system
Informatio
n
E-mail
Online 3D
Game
3D
Communicatio
n
Mobile
Medical
Care
DVD
Download
Credit payment
Electronic money
Music
download
Live HDTV
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), JAPAN
3
MIC
Mobile WiMAX & XGP Service in Japan
Operator
UQ Communications Inc.
Willcom Inc.
Adopted System
Mobile WiMAX
XGP
Number of BSs/
Area cover ratio
(by March 2013)
About 19,000 base stations
93％ area coverage(1,161 cities)
About 20,000 base stations
92％ area coverage(846 cities)
Capital
Investment
(by March 2013)
132.3billion yen
111.3billion yen
Subscribers
(by March 2013)
5 million
2.40million
Pilot Launch from February 2009
Field Trial from April 2009
Commercial Service from July 2009
- Maximum 40Mbps Download
- Maximum 10Mbps Upload
Commercial Service from October 2009
- Maximum 20Mbps Download
- Maximum 20Mbps Upload
Service Outline
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), JAPAN
4
Japan will start LTE (3.9G/Super 3G) service
on this December
MIC
Outline of the 3.9G license Policy
1475.9
(3) Use restriction*
15MHz
(2)
10MHz
1485.9
1495.9
1510.9
Public service
(1)
10MHz
1.7 GHz band
Guard band
Guard band
1.5 GHz band
（MHz）
IMT-2000
(4)
10MHz
1844.9
1854.9
1859.9
（MHz）
*Unavailable in some areas including Tokyo, Tokai, Kinki areas, until the end of March 2014, when its use for digital MCA expires.
 Assign 10 MHz or 15 MHz to up to 4 entities for prospective entrants or existing operators.
 Achieve 50% or higher population coverage within 5 years in 11 districts for 3.9G and 3.5G upgradedsystem. (using newly assigned frequency bands as well as already-assigned frequency bands).
 Allow the use of the frequency bands for 3G or 3.5G to flexibly respond in various ways to 3.9G
deployment.
Four existing operators applied for license
Start this winter!!
License for 3.9G (Assigned on 10 June 2009)
（↑）
Use restriction*
10MHz（↓） 10MHz （↓）
15MHz （↓）
1475.9
1485.9
1495.9
1510.9
（1427.9）
（1437.9）
（1447.9）
（1462.9）
Public service
1.7 GHz band
Guard band
Guard band
1.5 GHz band
（MHz）
（↑）
IMT-2000
10MHz （↓）
1844.9
1854.9
（1769.9）
（1779.9）
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), JAPAN
1859.9 （MHz）
5
Change in Network by Telecom & Broadcast Convergence
Telecommunications
Broadcasting
Terrestrial
Broadcasting
Satellite
Broadcasting
Cable
Television
Satellite
Wireless
Fixed
Vertical
＜Convergence＞
ICT Network
Voice
telephone
Web
Information
Contents
TV / Images
Radio
Music
・・・・
Horizontal
Wired Communications
Wireless Communications
Transmission infrastructure
6
New Converged Services
(1) IP multicast service
IP Multicast Network
Head end
Broadcast server
Local office
Local office
Subscriber
Local office
ＯＮＵ
ＳＴＢ
ＯＮＵ
ＳＴＢ
OLT Splitter
Router
Router
収容局
Router
Router
Optical
Fiber
Local office
(2) Digital signage
(image)
Daytime: Broadcast
Nighttime: Data transmission
1) Data transmission during nighttime hours
Broadcast
Telecom
Data for Bus Company A
Bus Company A
Television Service
Railway Company B
Broadcast
Station
Data for Railway Company B
2) Data accumulation
・・・
3) Data update of Digital signage
Bus
Train
New Legal Structure towards Convergence
Current Legal Structure
New Legal Structure
Broadcasting
Telecommunications
Broadcast Act
Act to Regulate the Operation of the Cable
Sound Broadcasting Service
Telecommunications
Business Act
Cable Television Broadcast Act
Act Concerning Broadcasting of
Telecommunication Services
Act Concerning Wire
Broadcasting
Telephone Business
Broadcast Act
Telecommunications Business Act
Radio Act (wireless)
Radio Act
Wire Telecommunications Act (wired)
Wire Telecommunications Act
8
Outline of Amendment - (1) Broadcast Act
Outline
(1)Expansion of
Management Choice
Current laws
A broadcast operator cannot choose its own
operating structure. (ex. A terrestrial broadcaster
After revision
A broadcast operator can choose its own
operating structure.
should own its broadcast stations.)
(2)Rationalizing broadcast regulations
Current laws
Cable television operator must receive
permission from MIC.
After revision
Cable television operator must register
with MIC.
(3)Clarifying ownership limitations of broadcasters
Current laws
MIC can establish ownership limitations
into broadcasters in MIC ordinance.
After revision
MIC can establish ownership limitations into
broadcasters in MIC ordinance, within the range
from minimum 10% to maximum 33%.
9
(2) Radio Act
Outline
(1)Flexible Use of Radio Frequency
Current laws
Broadcast operators cannot provide
telecommunication services through their
broadcast stations, and telecommunications
carriers cannot provide broadcast services
through their radio stations.
After revision
Companies can provide both
telecommunications services and
broadcasting services under a single
license.
(2) Promotion of the Prompt Introduction of New Services
and New Products
Current laws
Antenna power of a license-free radio
station must be under 0.01 watts.
After revision
The limit of antenna power of a licensefree radio station will be 1watt.
10
(3) Others
Outline
(1)Expansion of Dispute Settlement Function
Current laws
After revision
Telecommunications carriers can apply the
dispute resolution to Telecommunications
Dispute Settlement Commission (TDSC),
and content providers cannot apply the
dispute resolution.
Both content providers and
telecommunications carriers can apply the
dispute resolution to TDSC.
(2) Consumer Protection
Current laws
Telecommunications carriers should
explain terms and conditions of their
services, but broadcasters are not obliged to
explain their terms and conditions under
any laws.
After revision
Broadcasters that provide paid services
must explain terms and conditions of
those services just as is already obligating
telecommunications carriers.
11
Thank You!
Shoji MIHARA
(s.mihara@soumu.go.jp)
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), JAPAN