National Broadband Initiative

Transcription

1 MPHPT Communications ISSN News November 12, 21, Vol. 12, No. 16 Please feel free to use the articles in this publication, with proper credits National Broadband Initiative -- Toward the most advanced IT nation in the world -- On October 16, 21, MPHPT announced a National Broadband Initiative. The Initiative was outlined as a project to be developed by MPHPT as early as possible in the Administrative Promotion Plan for Fiscal Year 22, announced on August 3, 21, and in the Reform Schedule, determined by the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy on September 21, 21. The National Broadband Initiative clearly states a schedule to realize the high-speed/ultrahigh-speed Internet in Japan by FY25, the respective roles for the public and the private sectors, the prospective number of high-speed/ultrahigh-speed Internet subscribers and the expected social benefit brought on by the deployment of broadband Internet. From this point on, MPHPT will actively promote the deployment of highspeed/ultrahigh-speed Internet infrastructure to make Japan the most advanced IT nation in the world. National Broadband Initiative Toward the most advanced IT nation in the world 1. Deployment of broadband network infrastructure Refer to Attachments 1, 2 [Targets] Create an environment that enables 24-hour connection to high-speed access networks from at least 3 million households and ultrahigh-speed access networks from 1 million households by FY25. Bridge the digital divide caused by geographical constraints. Deployment of LANs connecting public facilities through the nation by FY25. 1) High-speed network infrastructure Achieve the goal, the deployment of 3 million households by FY25 through the private sector s deployment of high-speed networks, and create an environment that enables all people in every region, regardless of their geographical constraints, to have 24-hour access to the Internet. (Digital Subscriber Lines) services using existing telephone lines are expected to be deployed* by the private sector within FY22. Regarding other high-speed Internet access services such as cable Internet and FWA, service areas are expected to be expanded by FY25. Note: * There may be cases that services are not offered in areas where metallic cables are being removed, or quite far from telecommunications carrier s local exchanges. 2) Ultrahigh-speed network infrastructure Achieve the goal, the deployment of 1 million households by FY25 through the private sector s deployment of ultrahigh-speed networks mainly in metropolitan areas. However, as to subscriber fiber-optic networks, the public sector s deployment is vital for narrowing the digital divide caused by geographical constraints. As regards services using fiber-optic networks, mainstream networks of the ultrahigh-speed Internet infrastructure, it is expected that the private sector will deploy in such areas as: i) government-designated cities and prefectural seats by FY23 ii) most cities by FY25 Accordingly, the goal, the deployment of 1 million households, can be achieved. However, because of problems related to profitability, the digital divide caused by geographical constraints may emerge. In other words, under-populated ar- CONTENTS National Broadband Initiative Program for Promotion of e- Government at National and Local Levels Introduction of Broadband Mobile Access System Using Quasi-Millimeter Band Frequency Toward Advancement of System Using 2.4GHz Band The Sixth ITU-R WP8F Meeting in Tokyo International Policy Division, International Affairs Department, Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications 1-2, Kasumigaseki 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo , Japan We welcome your comments by: feedback-newsletter@soumu.go.jp Fax: Tel.: MPHPT information is available at:

2 eas and other locations under geographical constraints where the private sector has no interest to deploy network infrastructures because of profitability, thus the network deployment by governments is required to close the digital divide. Upon the network deployment by the public sector, from the viewpoint to promote electronic governments that realize advanced public services such as education, administration, welfare, medical care and prevention of disasters, it is desirable to utilize public LANs deployed by local governments, connecting public facilities. 3) Public LANs connecting public facilities Implement deployment in every region by FY25: From the viewpoint to promote electronic governments by FY25, deploy public LANs connecting public facilities, schools, libraries, public halls and city offices, in order to realize advanced public services, education, administration, welfare, medical care, prevention of disasters, etc. To this end, it is vital for local governments to create a concrete plan for the deployment of public LANs, and the national government shall ensure financial support measures necessary for those local governments to realize their plans. 1. Predicting Internet deployment by number of households with Internet access (1) Predictions for the Internet household deployment rate in each fiscal year are based on previous Internet household deployment rates. (2) Predictions for the total number of households in each fiscal year use data from the Predictions of the Future Number of Households in Japan, provided by the National Institute for Population and Social Security Research. Deployment in the number of households with Internet access = (1) x (2) (Unit: million households) Fiscal Year Number of households with Internet access In addition, it is assumed that 3 percent of the households with Internet access will not have continuous access to the Internet. 2. Classifying usage trends Internet users are classified according to usage trends. Innovators: 2 % High 2. Predicted deployment of broadband Internet (number of household subscriptions) Refer to Attachment 3 The following Table provides estimates that the number of household subscriptions to high-speed/ultrahigh-speed Internet access services, based on the expected growth rate of the Internet use, rate of deployment and charges, etc. under certain conditions. (refer to Attachment A). Value orientation Low Early adaptors: 13 % Early majority I: 17 % Early majority II: 17 % Percentages on the graph indicate the ratio to the corresponding group within all households. High End of fiscal year High speed Ultrahigh speed Total Cable Internet Fiber optics FY21 1,64 2, ,78 FY22 4,81 3, ,17 FY23 7,49 3, ,35 15,13 (Units: 1, households) FY24 7,22 4, ,93 17,97 FY25 6,95 4,29 8 7,73 19,77 Although is expected to constitute the mainstream of high-speed/ultrahigh-speed Internet access service for the time being, ultrahigh-speed access services using fiber-optic networks are expected to be deployed rapidly from FY23 and eventually overtake. 3. Changes in lifestyle resulting from public applications realized through high-speed/ultrahigh-speed networks Refer to Attachment 4 The creation of an environment for high-speed/ultrahighspeed Internet access will bring about not only a boost to regional economies expected through industrial revitalization, but also changes in the lifestyle of citizens who will be able to receive advanced public services such as medical care, welfare, education, culture and prevention of disasters, even at home. Reference A Method of forecasting the number of households subscribing to high-speed/ultrahigh-speed Internet services Speed orientation Late majority I: 17 % Low Late majority II: 17 % Laggards: 17 % 3. Estimating charges for each media Access charges (including ISP connection charges) for fiber-optic services,, cable Internet and wireless are estimated as follows taking into consideration previous fluctuations in charge standards. Fiber-optics Cable services Internet services End of FY23 6, yen range 3, yen range 3, yen range 3, yen range End of FY25 4, yen 3, yen 3, yen 3, yen range range range range 4. Predicting the deployment of each media (based on the number of household subscriptions) The number of households actually subscribing to each media is estimated based on the number of households using the Internet, usage trends, charges for each media and the number of households that could potentially subscribe to each media.

3 Indicates that portion expected to be deployed by the private sector. Indicates that portion needed to be deployed by the public sector Indicates that portion expected to be deployed by the private sector, however, if necessary, public support should be introduced. Deployed to most of the country Attachment 1 "National Broadband Initiative" 1. The schedule to deploy high-speed/ultrahigh-speed network infrastructure (the prospective number of household subscriptions) and the respective roles for the public and the private sectors (Unit: million households) Cities (671 cities and Tokyo's 23-Cities), approximately 38.6 million households Towns and villages (2,558), approximately 8.8 million households Under-populated areas and other locations under geographical constraints (1,932 towns and villages), approx. 5.4 million households Other towns and villages (626), approx. 3.4 million households Other Cities (623), approximately 21.9 million households Government-designated cities and prefectural seat locations (48 cities and Tokyo's 23 Cities), approximately 16.7 million households Media FY Approx..1 Approx..3 Approx. 18 million households Approx. 14 million households Approx..4 Approx..5 Approx. 7-8 Approx Cable Internet Approx..1 Approx..4 Approx. 1 Tokyo's 23 Cities and some government-designated cities Approx Some cities around government-designated cities Local public networks Deployed to most of the country Cable Internet Use There may be cases that services are not offered in areas where metallic cables are being removed, or quite far from telecommunications carrier's local exchanges. Local public networks Approx. 4-5 Approx. 2-3 Approx Deployed to most of the country by 22 Approx. 14 Approx..7 Approx..8 Approx Approx Cable Internet Approx..5 Approx..5 Approx..5-1 Approx Approx Approx..5-1 Approx Deployed to most government-designated cities and prefectural seat locations Use Local public networks Deployed to most of the country by 22 Cable Internet Deployed to most government-designated cities and prefectural seat locations by 23 Use Local public networks Approx. 4-5 Approx. 2-3 Approx Deployed to most of the country by 22 Approx. 14 Approx. 1 Approx. 1 Approx Approx Cable Internet Approx..15 Approx..1 Approx Approx Extended to most cities Ultrahighspeed Fiberoptics Highspeed Ultrahighspeed Fiberoptics Highspeed Ultrahighspeed Fiberoptics Highspeed Ultrahighspeed Fiberoptics Highspeed Ultrahighspeed Fiberoptics Highspeed Use Possible to use? Deployment of Public LANs connecting public facilities Local public networks

4 Attachment 2 National Broadband Initiative 1-2. Predicting the number of potential household subscriptions with high-speed/ultrahigh-speed Internet services (Digital Subscriber Line) Fiber-optics services services using existing telephone lines are expected to be deployed by the private sector within FY22. (However, there may be cases that services are not offered in areas where metallic cables are being removed, or quite far from telecommunications carrier's local exchanges.) Fiber-optics services by the private sector are expected to deploy to most of governmentdesignated cities and prefectural seats by FY23, and most cities by FY25. In underpopulated areas and other locations under geographical constraints where deployment by the private sector is not expected, because of problems related to profitability, deployment by governments is required to bridge the digital divide. (Unit: million households) 5 (Unit: million households) 5 38 to 41 million Potential subscriber households 46 to 48 million to 41 million Deployed to most cities million 2 3 to 32 million 2 Deployed to most of the country 5 to 5.5 million 1 Public deployment by governments in disadvantaged areas Deployed to most government-designated cities and prefecture cities End of fiscal year End of fiscal year Potential subscriber households Cable Internet services services are expected to be used for broadband access, mainly in housing complexes and similar areas. Cable Internet has been deployed the most because of being bundled with cable TV broadcasting services, and the service area is expected to continue deploying steadily. (Unit: million households) 5 (Unit: million households) Potential subscriber households 4 24 to 26 million 3 2 to 22 million 22 to 24 million to 6 million 1 2 to 3 million.4 million Potential subscriber households End of fiscal year End of fiscal year Note: In addition to these media, Internet access is expected to be realized using power line carrier systems.

5 Attachment 3 National Broadband Initiative 2. Predicted deployment of high-speed/ultrahigh-speed Internet (the number of household subscriptions) Predicted deployment of high-speed/ultrahigh-speed Internet (the number of household subscriptions) by FY25 is a little under 2 million based on the expected growth rate of the Internet use, charges, etc., under certain conditions. Although is expected to constitute the mainstream of high-speed/ultrahigh-speed Internet access for the time being, ultrahigh-speed services using fiber-optic networks are expected to be deployed rapidly from FY23 and eventually overtake. (Unit: million households) Total: 9.17 Cable Internet Fiber optics Total: Total: Total: Total: Total: As of the end of June 21 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 As of the end of each fiscal year

6 Attachment 4 National Broadband Initiative 3. Lifestyle changes resulting from public applications realized through broadband networks Current conditions Public applications of broadband networks Expected changes in users' lifestyles Application, notification and other procedures are conducted by post or at public offices Electronic government and electronic municipalities Practically all procedures such as application, and notification will be made available online Systems for electronic bidding and bid opening It will make administrative services (all types of notification, tax payments and information acquisition) available via networks principally 24 hours a day while in the comfort of one's home or office Education and culture Health medical care and welfare Application, notification and other procedures for administrative bodies Medical care Because medical specialists are concentrated in urban areas, it is difficult to receive advanced medical services in the provinces Nursing care Because of a lack of nursing caregivers in the provinces, it is difficult to receive sufficient nursing care services Telemedicine Systems that provide at-home medical treatment using a wealth of diagnostic information such as medical imaging and electrocardiograms Remote nursing care Systems that realize the full awareness of patients' conditions in real time making use of live-action images at remote Medical care Medical care can be received while at home in areas with few medical specialists Nursing care Prompt and efficient nursing care services can be received through realtime coordination with nursing care facilities Education In rural areas, there are few universities and other institutions of higher education thereby restricting access to highly specialized education Culture Art galleries, museums and other cultural facilities are unevenly concentrated in urban areas School Virtual universities Systems that give coverage from remote classes Virtual art galleries and museums Systems that allow the contents of cultural facilities to be appreciated virtually using three-dimensional imaging Education Highly specialized education can be received while at home Culture Art galleries and museums can be appreciated virtually in three dimensions in areas with few cultural facilities It is difficult to obtain accurate information in a time of disaster Safety assurance system Systems that confirm the safety of people living in the disaster areas through the Internet Provision of disaster information Systems that monitor forest fire conditions, river levels, volcanic activity and other conditions by making use of live-action images The safety of people affected by disasters can be promptly confirmed over the Internet Forest fire conditions, river levels, volcanic activity and other conditions can be monitored by live-action images while in the comfort of one's home Disaster prevention

7 Program for Promotion of e- Government at National and Local Levels (Tentative translation of excerpt) Attachment 1 I. Schematic Overview of e-government -- Creation of new administrative services Now To make use of administrative services, we have to 1) use the mail, or 2) go in person to public offices, in order to submit documents and carry out procedures for application, notification, etc. After FY23 (future image) Administrative procedures <Epochal situations in life> Moving home Building a house Having children Applying for benefits Using public facilities Administrative services accessible for principally 24 hours a day over the Internet <Business situations> Bidding for government procurement Applying for business licenses Making notifications Applying for issue of certificates Filing tax returns Tax payments, etc Making tax payments Making social insurance payments Paying commission fees Administrative information Checking up on laws and systems Obtaining data published by the government Obtaining addresses of public sector bodies Obtaining statistical data Perusing white papers From home From work From nearest public offices Private sector certification authority the Internet Enables confirmation that electronic documents created by individuals or companies are authentic Commercial registration certification authority Enables confirmation that electronic documents created by commercially registered corporations are authentic Government Public Key Infrastructure Enables confirmation that electronic documents created by national administrative bodies are authentic Ministries Regional branches Ministry networks Bank of Japan Kasumigaseki WAN Network linking national administrative bodies Institutions and other bodies e-government Portal e-government Financial institutions Online settlement infrastructure Ministries A system of comprehensive search and guidance on administrative information instantly indicates the procedure sought Post offices Post offices Local intrnets Municipalities Municipalities Prefectures Local Government Wide-Area Network (LGWAN) Network linking local governments Public certification service for individuals Enables confirmation that electronic documents created by residents are authentic Local Government Public Key Infrastructure Network of basic registers of residents Enables confirmation that electronic documents created by local governments are authentic Prefectures

8 II. Schedule for e-government: Central Government Common Initiatives FY21 FY22 FY23 Remarks [Electronic Filing (application, notification and other procedures)] 1. Portal system for electronic filing - General-purpose Acceptance System (which can be utilized for accepting various procedures and notification of the results thereof) 397 procedures (4% of all the procedures) Government uniform specifications established (August) 3,895 procedures (35%, to be increased to 5%) To be established by all ministries by FY22 1,868 procedures (98%) 2. PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) Administration - Ministerial Certification Authorities and Bridge Certification Authority Applicants - Electronic certification system based on commercial registration - (Private sector certification authorities based on the Law Concerning Electronic Signatures and Certification Services *) - Public individual certification service by local governments Start of partial operation (June) Service started (mainly prefectural seats) Service started (August) Bill submitted To be fully operational by FY22 Regional expansion of service (major local cities) Gradually expanded Demonstration tests Service available almost nationwide Start of service 2 companies accredited as of September System of electronic payment of fees 4. Networks to assist electronic transactions - Connection of central to local government networks (Central: Kasumigaseki WAN, local: LGWAN) - Network system for basic registers of residents Demonstration tests (Infrastructure development by private-sector financial institutions Gradual expansion of financial institutions * ) Start of connection (prefectures, specially designated cities, etc.) Start of operation (August) Start of operation of electronic payment system for fiscal revenue (January 24) Start of connection (all municipalities) 5. Review of laws and ordinances Bill submitted 6. Electronic filing systems for individual procedures To be established in all ministries by FY23, in tandem with online conversion [Digitization of procedures for government procurement] - Electronic tendering and bid opening for non-public works Start of operation of integrated database on government procurement (June) Trial operation (MPHPT) (October) Start of operation (all ministries) - Electronic tendering and bid opening for public works Introduced (large-scale projects) (October) Expansion of applicable projects (public tender type projects in excess of 2 million yen, etc.) To be fully introduced Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Notes) - Action marked with an asterisk (*) is to be implemented by the private sector. - Regarding the guarantee of information security for e-government as a whole, an Action Plan for Guaranteeing Information Security for e-government was adopted in October 21 (Cabinet Secretariat and all ministries) - Systems of government procurement related to information systems are to be reviewed during FY22 (Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Finance, other related ministries) - The legal system for the protection of personal data held by administrative organs is to be enhanced and strengthened in line with the Bill for Protection of Personal Information (the basic law) (the Bill includes provisions to the effect that measures should be implemented with a target of one year after promulgation)

9 III. Schedule for e-government: Local Governments 1. Steps to e-government at Local Level (1) Steps to e-government at local level Step 1. Promote infrastructure development at both national and local levels i) Establishment of internal LANs, 1 PC per employee As soon as possible ii) Establishment of network linking local governments All prefectures and designated cities Operation started in October 21 Connection with national government network Early FY22 All municipalities To be connected by FY23 iii) Establishment of a network of basic registers of residents Network in operation From August 22 Issue of residents basic register cards From August 23 Step 2. Create a system for web-based authentication i) Certification by administrative bodies (Local Government Public Key Infrastructure) All prefectures and designated cities Operation starts in March 22 All municipalities Operation by FY23 ii) Certification by residents (public individual certification service) Prefectures and municipalities Operation starts in FY23 Step 3. Promote electronic counter services by local governments (Develop electronic application systems) - Leading bodies (mainly prefectures) Model tests in FY21 Operation starts in FY22 - Other bodies (mainly municipalities) Gradually from FY23 (2) Preparing conditions for electronic filing to Local Governments By FY21 for 55 cases (1% of all the procedures) By FY22 for 3,55 (59%, to be increased) By FY23 for 4,914 (95%) (3) Promotion of human resource training Training of 1, specialists in local governments in 3 years, etc. Initiatives FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 <Step 1> Integrated administrative network Operation started in all prefectures and designated cities (October) To be constructed gradually in municipalities To start operation in all bodies during FY23 Connection with national networks Network of basic registers of residents Preparing for operation Activation of network (August) Issue of residents basic register cards starts (August) <Step 2> Local Government Public Key Infrastructure Operation started in all prefectures and designated cities (March) To be constructed gradually in municipalities To start operation in all bodies during FY23 Public individual certification service Public individual certification service [Model tests] [Nationwide demonstration tests] Construction Start of operation [Bill submitted] <Step 3> Development of electronic application system [Pilot project] [Model tests] [Connection tests with public key infrastructure] [Connection tests with settlement infrastructure] [Leading bodies (mainly prefectures)] Model tests System construction, start of operation, expansion of applicable procedures [Other bodies (mainly municipalities)] System to be constructed and operation to start gradually <Others> Electronic filing of local taxes Electronic procurement Electronic voting in local elections Studies by the Council for Promoting the Electronic Conversion of Local Taxes [Demonstration tests on model systems] Model tests Preparation for trials Preparation of a Bill Operating bodies to increase gradually [Implement trials] System to be constructed and operation to start gradually (from capable bodies) Note: Entries in square brackets indicate initiatives covered by national support measures (funded by the national government)

10 Introduction of Broadband Mobile Access System Using Quasi- Millimeter Band Frequency Report from the Telecommunications Council On September 25, 21, MPHPT received a report from the Telecommunications Council (Chair: Mr. Yoshihisa Akiyama) on the technical conditions for broadband mobile access system using quasi-millimeter band frequency. The outline is as follows: [Background] Recently, utilization of web services using mobile terminals has expanded dramatically, and it has become common to utilize the Internet while on the move. Along with the speeding-up of wire communications services such as fiberoptic networks and digital subscriber line () service, demand for highspeed wireless communications is growing. And, as diffusion of personal computers connected to the Internet at office and home is ongoing, troublesome wiring is becoming a bottleneck for use of the Internet. A broadband mobile access system using quasi-millimeter band frequencies employs ultrahigh-speed and high-quality mobile communications, which is easily connected to fiber-optic networks. In relevant organizations, R&D is being carried out for realizing high-speed wireless LAN, wireless access, and wireless home-link connecting information consumer electronics such as audio-visual equipment, and personal computers. To this end, MPHPT inquired of the Telecommunications Council in May 21 on technical conditions for broadband mobile access system using quasimillimeter band frequency, and on September 25, 21, received the report thereon. [Outline of the report] The broadband mobile access system using quasi-millimeter band frequency is a system enabling high-speed transmission over 1 Mbps and realizing highspeed high-quality wireless LAN, wireless access and wireless home-link. MPHPT is, based on the report, planning to amend applicable ministerial ordinances. Ref: Quasi-millimeter band refers to a frequency band between 1GHz and 3GHz. Technical conditions for broadband mobile access system using quasi-millimeter band frequency (The Telecommunications Council Inquiry No. 22: Inquiry made on May 28, 21) 1. The system outline The broadband mobile access system using quasi-millimeter band frequency is a system enabling high-speed transmission over 1 Mbps and realizing highspeed high-quality wireless LAN, wireless access and wireless home-link connecting information consumer electronics. 2. Image of broadband mobile access system using quasi-millimeter band frequency Because of the characteristics of quasimillimeter band frequency propagation, it is used in areas covered by line-ofsight. i) Internet access via access points established in public space such as streets and parks. ii) Internet access method in households including houses, buildings and condominiums iii) Transit trunks to access points iv) Mutual interconnection methods among information consumer electronics and personal computers v) Network construction method in offices Fig. Image of broadband mobile access system using quasi-millimeter band frequency i) Using the Internet in hot spots (up to a radius of about 1 m) iii) Transit trunks to access points (up to a radius of about 5m) iv) Home network (up to a radius of some 3m) Access point Optical fiber Router Internet link between digital TV and digital video, etc. v) Office/intracompany network (up to a radius of about 1m) Distribution network to each floor and each room as in-house access ii) Internet access method in households including houses, buildings and condominiums (up to a radius of about 1m)

11 3. Technical conditions for broadband mobile access system using quasi-millimeter band frequency frequency band Major applicable fields Examples of applications Radio channel assignment Number of radio channels to be transmitted simultaneously Signal transmission speed Example of signal transmission speed Modulation method Antenna power 24.75GHz-25.25GHz 27.GHz-27.5GHz Outdoor access system to the Internet, etc., such as hot spots, etc. i) Using the Internet at access points established in public space such as streets and parks (up to a radius of about 1m) ii) Using as an Internet access tool at households including houses, building and condominiums (up to a radius of about 1m) iii) Transit trunks to access points (up to a radius of about 5m) 24 radio channels each of which has an 18MHz occupied bandwidth and a 2MHz frequency interval 3 or less Not below 2Mbps in a radio channel. However, it can be lowered to 1Mbps as the lower limit. Example of signal transmission speed: If transmitting with the OFDM method at 36Mbps per radio channel, maximum 18Mbps (for three channels) is realized. Orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) method Other methods (amplitude modulation, phase modulation, frequency modulation, pulse modulation or combinations of these) In the case of the OFDM method i) If the number of used radio channels is three or less, less than 1mW per 1MHz ii) If the number of used radio channels is four or more, less than 1mW In the case of other modulation methods - Less than 1mW, regardless of the number of radio channels LAN and wireless home-link used at home, in factories and offices i) Using as an interconnection tool among information consumer electronics and personal computers at home (in a radius from several meters to about 3m) ii) Using as a network construction tool in office (in a radius up to about 1m) 6 or less Example of signal transmission speed: If transmitting with the OFDM method at 7Mbps per radio channel, maximum 42Mbps (for six channels) is realized. Toward Advancement of System Using 2.4GHz Band -- Report from the Telecommunications Council -- On September 25, 21, MPHPT received a report from the Telecommunications Council (Chair: Mr. Yoshihisa Akiyama) on the Technical conditions necessary for advancement of wireless system using 2.4GHz band. The outline is as follows: [Background] The 2.4GHz frequency band is allocated for low-power wireless facilities such as low-power data transmission system (wireless LAN), mobile terminal identification systems (or radio frequency identifier systems), amateur radio stations as well as for various devices for industry, science and medicine (ISM) such as microwave ovens. At present, as regards low-power data transmission systems, along with the expansion of demands for wireless Internet access, development and studies on large-capacity data transmission technology, etc. are being carried out. Also, on mobile terminal identification systems, a study is being conducted on establishing a new method, which is superior in interference resistance, as a global standard. Under such circumstances, there is high expectation from industries for advancement in low-power transmission systems and mobile terminal identification systems. Taking into consideration the situation above, MPHPT inquired of the Telecommunications Council on technical conditions for enabling advancement of low-power data communications systems and radio stations for mobile ter-

12 minal identification systems. The Council, based on sharing conditions with other wireless systems using the frequency band, deliberated the issue and compiled its findings as a report. [Outline of the report] The outline of the report is as follows: 1. Introduce the transmission method enabling high-speed communications over 2 Mbps (OFDM) for low-power data communications systems. 2. Permit the use of highly directional antennas enabling expansion of communications distance in those low-power data communications systems. 3. Introduce an interference-resistant transmission method (frequency hopping method) in mobile terminal identification systems. Based on the report, MPHPT will amend the applicable ministerial ordinances, etc. Ref. Advancement of wireless systems using 2.4GHz band [High-speed low-power data communications system (wireless LAN)] Current mainstream is spread spectrum communications systems, whose maximum transmission speed is at about 1 Mbps. By newly allowing OFDM systems, higher-speed communications (over 2 Mbps) is enabled. [Relaxation of antenna gain conditions for low-power data communications system (wireless LAN)] Party to be connected The wave cannot reach! Current wireless LAN The area the wave reaches is equivalent or smaller. Currently, the maximum antenna gain is, in principle, 2.14 dbi. By allowing the use of highdirectivity antenna (12.14 dbi) limited to cases when an area does not increase the level of interference, prevention of interference and longer communications distance (about three times longer) are enabled. [Introduction of frequency hopping methods in radio frequency identifier (RFID) systems] Current mainstream Interrogator is analog modulation methods. By allowing frequency hopping methods, the following benefits are enabled: i) Improvement in interference resistance ii) Smaller equipment iii) Harmonization with international standards The communications distance expands. LAN using highdirectivity antenna Does not emit waves in unnecessary directions. Responder (Data carrier) The radio frequency identifier system (RFID) refers to the system which accesses responders attached to moving bodies (humans or objects) through use of radio waves from interrogators. Used in automated production control at factory, physical distribution management and in/out of staff. The Sixth ITU-R WP8F Meeting in Tokyo Future Development of IMT-2 and Beyond From October 1 through 16, 21, the sixth WP8F meeting of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was held in Tokyo, with some 25 people from 33 countries participating. The meeting discussed the future development of IMT-2, or the third-generation (3G) mobile communications system, and beyond. In Japan, the service of the 3G system was launched on October 1, 21 and two other mobile carriers are planning to start up service from next year, the system will be operated throughout Japan. The outline of the meeting is as follows: 1. Future development of IMT-2 and beyond (fourth-generation [4G] mobile communications system, etc.) Japan proposed the basic concept* 1, i.e., realizing communications speeds at 5-1Mbps while moving fast through interworking of mobile telephone systems and wireless LAN systems, and the concept was accepted as a basis on which further deliberations will be made. The structure of Recommendation was discussed up to the previous meeting, and practical deliberations on the future development of 3G and beyond have been commenced since the sixth meeting. There was a disagreement between Japan, the U.S. and other countries that aimed at realization in 21 and the U.K. insisted on the achievement in later years. The outcomes of the deliberations will be compiled as a WP8F Recommendation draft in June 22, which is planned to be approved as an ITU Recommendation at the Radiocommunication Assembly held in the year after. Japan, aiming at practical use in 21, is going to actively participate in the discussion on necessary frequencies, etc. *1: Based on the Telecommunications

13 Council report of June 25, 21, the Outlook for the Future Mobile Communications Systems 2. Revision of IMT-2 Recommendation The revision of Recommendation was made for introducing more advanced systems than the current one. It was agreed to add more advanced systems, enabling high-speed packet transmission* 2 for Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) introduced by NTT DoCoMo and J- Phone, and enabling high-speed packet and sound transmission* 3 for CDMA2 introduced by KDDI, to the Recommendation. *2: High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA): A system enabling over 8Mbps downlink packet transmission at maximum. Simultaneous transmission of sound is also enabled. *3: 1x Evolution Data with Voice (1x EV- DV): A system enabling over 2.4Mbps downlink packet transmission at maximum. While the 1x EV- DO system similarly enables over 2.4Mbps downlink packet transmission at maximum, the 1x EV-DV also enables simultaneous transmission of packets and sounds, which are not supported by the 1x EV-DO. 3. Global circulation of terminals In IMT-2, whose frequency band is standardized and whose radio systems are configured into five systems, it is expected that users can operate a single terminal everywhere under the harmonized standard around the world. For the purpose of realizing the global circulation of a terminal, compatible in each country s technical standard has been deliberated, and at the meeting, a Recommendation draft for out-of-band emission from terminals. It will be accepted at SG8 (see Reference) held in November 21. [Reference] ITU-R WP8F: The Working Party 8 F (WP8F) is an expert meeting of the ITU-R s sub-division for mobile service, the Study Group 8 (SG8). The WP8F is studying the advancement of IMT-2 and beyond (4G mobile communications system). Currently, the WP8F is working for the Radiocommunication Assemblies (RA, the upper body of Study Group) held in 23. The WP8F meeting held in Tokyo was the sixth one, and the seventh meeting will be held in New Zealand in February 22. And, a letter of appreciation was sent from the ITU Secretary-General and ITU-R Director to late Mr. Akiho SASAKI (then Managing Director, ARIB), who had contributed to the realization of IMT-2 for more than 1 years since the very start of the study thereof.