Japanese Candidate for Election to ITU's Radio Regulations Board

Transcription

1 International Policy Division, Global ICT Strategy Bureau Vol. 20 No. 24 Biweekly Newsletter of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan ISSN Please feel free to use the articles in this publication, with proper credits. TOPICS Japanese Candidate for Election to ITU's Radio Regulations Board At the Plenipotentiary Conference of the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) which will be held in October 20 in Guadalajara, Mexico, there will be elections for board members of the RRB (Radio Regulations Board). Japan is putting up the candidacy of Dr. Yasuhiko Ito, Chairman of the Board of Directors, KDDI R&D Laboratories Inc. (Advisor to KDDI), and an election strategy office has been set up within MIC with this election in view. TOPICS Japanese Candidate for Election to ITU's Radio Regulations Board STATISTICS Announcement of Report on Economic Trends in the ICT Industry (Fourth Quarter of 2009) TOPICS 1 3 Dr. Ito has for many years worked within the ITU's Radiocommunications Sector and was Chairman of the Radiocommunication Assembly in He has worked internationally and his achievements to date are highly praised by the countries he has worked with. MIC will work with the people concerned and will move aggressively to gather support from other countries with the aim of gaining office in this election. A brief overview of the general outline of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and a CV of Dr. Ito are as follows. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-) Outline of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference The ITU Plenipotentiary Conference which is held every 4 years with the participation of all member countries (numbering 191) is the highest policy-making organization within the ITU. In addition to the holding elections for Secretary-General and other high-level posts, the conference works on setting the general policies of the ITU for the0741 next 4 years from 2012, determining a budget framework (financial plan), as well as any revisions to the ITU charter and treaties. The 20 Plenipotentiary Conference will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico, from October 4 to 22, 20. Guadalajara, Mexico Mexico Guadalajara Mexico City Announcement of Frequency Reorganization Action Plan (February 20 Revision) International Policy Division, Global ICT Strategy Bureau Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) 1-2, Kasumigaseki 2-chome, Chiy odaku, Tokyo , Japan Fax: Tel: We welcome your comments via: eng/contact.html MIC Communications News is available at: eng/newsletter.html Presentation materials of MIC are available at: eng/presentation.html distribution of this newsletter is possible if desired. 8 1

2 Plenipotentiary Conference (PP) Secretary-General Deputy Secretary-General General Secretariat Council World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC) Radiocommunication Assemblies (RA) Radio Regulations Board (RRB) Construes regulations for radiocommunications Made up of 12 members (part-time) World Telecommunication Standardization Assemblies (WTSA) World Telecommunication Development Conferences (WTDC) Director Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) Director Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) Director Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) Reference: The Previous Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-06) Date and Time: November 6 to 24, 2006, Antalya (Turkey) Attendees: Approximately 2,000 people attended from 164 out of the 191 countries that are ITU members. The delegation from Japan consisted of 44 people including MIC Senior Vice-Minister Tamura and representatives from MIC, NTT, KDDI, and the ITU Association of Japan. The Radio Regulations Board (RRB) Outline 1. Mission The Radio Regulations Board (RRB) was established as a body to carry out the following duties, based on the ITU charter and treaties. (1) To approve procedural regulations (including technical standards) that conform to Radio Regulations (RR), the World Radiocommunication Conferences and Regional Radiocommunication Conferences (Charter Article 95). (2) On demand from relevant government bodies, investigate reports from the Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau concerning studies of actual cases of harmful interference, and produce the necessary recommendations (Article 140). 2. Election of Board Members The RRB is made up of 12 board members (Charter Article 93A) and people as outlined below will be elected at the Plenipotentiary Conference (Charter Article 63. From North America, Europe, CIS Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific (3 from Africa and Asia-Pacific)). A person can be re-elected once only (Article 20). (1) People with adequate knowledge in the field of radiocommunication (Charter Article 93) (2) People with actual experience in frequency distribution and usage (Charter Article 93) 3. Assemblies Usually held 4 times a year at the ITU headquarters in Geneva (Article 145). 2

3 Yasuhiko Ito (Chairman of the Board of Directors, KDDI R&D Laboratories Inc.) Academic Qualifications: 1971 Master of Engineering, Waseda University 1981 Ph.D from Waseda University Professional Experience: 1971 Joined Kokusai Denshin Denwa (KDD) 1998 General Manager, Wireless Business, KDD 2000 Managing Director, Engineering Division of Mobile Business Sector, DDI Corporation (now KDDI Corporation) 2003 Chief Operating Officer, Solution Business Sector, KDDI 2004 Chief Operating Officer, Technology Sector, KDDI 2005 Executive Vice President and CTO, KDDI June 2007 Chairman of the Board of Directors, KDDI R&D Laboratories Inc. June 2009 Chairman of the Board of Directors, KDDI R&D Laboratories Inc. and Advisor to KDDI Major Activities at ITU Chairman, SG4, ITU-R 2003 Chairman, Radiocommunication Assembly (RA2003) STATISTICS Announcement of Report on Economic Trends in the ICT Industry (Fourth Quarter of 2009) MIC has released its Report on Economic Trends in the ICT Industry for the fourth quarter of 2009 (October to December). Main points Even though business confidence has improved for the electrical equipment industry, it has worsened a little for the ICT industry. Production and inventories for the ICT manufacturing industry are showing improvement from the previous quarter. ICT-related consumer spending continued to increase for the third straight quarter. ICT-related consumer prices are continuing to tumble. 3

4 Outline of the report on economic trends in the ICT industry (fourth quarter (October to December) of 2009) Even though business confidence has improved for the electrical equipment industry, it has worsened a little for the ICT industry. Production, inventories and capital investment for the ICT manufacturing industry are showing improvement. ICT-related consumer spending continued to increase. Main points of trends in the ICT industry Trend Comment Business Confidence State of Activity Trends in Capital Investment Employment Trends Trends in Consumption Trends in Pricing Trends in Exports and Imports Business confidence for electrical equipment manufacturing (producers of televisions, semiconductors and the like) was at -26%pt, an improvement over the -44%pt seen in the previous period. ICT-related (broadcasting business, telecommunications business and the like) business confidence was at -24%pt, a small deterioration over the previous quarter's -22%pt, with the outlook flat (see Figure 1). Inventories for the ICT manufacturing industry (digital consumer electronics, corporate use telecommunications related equipment and the like) remained flat at -25.2%pt. Production was +5.7%pt, showing a shift to the positive from the previous term's drop (-17.7%pt) (see Figure 2). The ICT service sector was -1.2%pt year on year, showing a continuing drop but the scale of decrease was less than the previous term's -3.6%pt. The scale of reduction in capital investment in ICT-related industries shrank from -17.7% in the previous period, to -12.3%. In addition, the level of contribution for semiconductor manufacturing equipment increased +2.4%, showing an improvement from the previous period's -6.0% (see Figure 3). Employment in ICT-related industries (telecommunications, information services and the like) was up by 90,000 people year on year, showing an improvement over the 80,000 people decrease seen in the previous period. ICT-related industries account for 5.4% of the total number of employed people, which is an increase from the 5.1% in the previous period. Consumer spending on mobile telephones and Internet usage was up +4.8%, showing a greater level of increase than the previous period (+3.5%). Consumption of digital consumer electronics was up +26.4%, with mobile telephones and Internet usage continuing to increase. On the other hand, fixed telephones, games, and newspapers continued to show a decline (see Figure 4). In digital consumer electronics overall, the downward trend continued at -27.6%. Only mobile telephones were up 16.2% year on year but major drops were seen in PCs (notebooks) in particular which were down 49.7% and TVs (flat panel) which were down 33.6% year on year (see Figure 5). The value for exports of ICT-related products was -7.8%, a major improvement on the previous period (-32.0%). Semiconductor and the like shifted to positive figures (contributing 1.4%). The value of imports was down -4.2%, showing a smaller drop than the previous period's -21.6%. NB: Upward pointing arrows indicate "increase or upward" and downward pointing arrows indicate "decline or drop." 4

5 Figure 1: Trends in business confidence in ICT industries Better Worse (%pt) Overall - Electronics equipment Overall - ICT (Year/Quarter) NB: New base as of December Figures for March 20 were estimated as of the December survey Data: Bank of Japan "Short-term Economic Survey of Enterprises in Japan" Figure 2: Trends in production and inventories in ICT manufacturing industries 50 (year on year, %) Production index Inventory index (Year/Quarter) NB: Produced by calculating the primary coefficient from the production and inventory indices for mining and manufacturing Raw materials for digital home electronics, ICT facilities etc. are the total of informatization-related production goods and car audio, communications related facilities used in corporations are the total of informatization capital assets and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, flat-panel display manufacturing equipment, semiconductor and IC measuring equipment, and home-use digital electronics is the total of ICT-related consumer goods and consumer electronics equipment other than car audio Data: METI "Indices of Industrial Production" 5

6 Figure 3: Trends in capital investment in ICT-related industries (year on year, %) Semiconductor manufacturing equipment Telephone handsets, telephone earth stations etc. -20 Business computers other than consumer-use PCs -25 Investment in ICT-related fields (Year/Quarter) NB: The bar chart shows the level of contribution of investment in ICT-related fields compared to the previous year. It is not the value of investments but the order value (consumer demand) that is the preceding index, and is value excluding orders in the electric power business where fluctuations are large. Investment in ICT-related fields are the total of business computers other than consumer use PCs, telephone handsets and telephone base station installations (communications equipment), and an semiconductor manufacturing equipment Data: Cabinet Office "Orders Received for Machinery" Figure 4: Trends in ICT-related consumer spending (year on year, %) Video games, newspapers, magazines, movies Internet connection charges Mobile telephones and PHS charges Total Digital home electronics Broadcasting reception charges Fixed telephone charges Proportion of consumer spending total (Year/Quarter) NB: The bar chart shows the level of contribution of ICT-related consumer spending, compared to the previous year Consumer spending is the average amount spent per month by households of over two persons nationwide, including agricultural and fishing households. The proper names and contents for each series are: for mobile telephone and PHS communications charges, mobile telephone communications charges; for digital home electronics, the total of mobile telephones, other communications equipment, TVs, stereo sets, portable audio and video players, VCRs, personal computers, cameras and video cameras; for video games, newspapers, magazines and movies, the total of video games, media that uses neither audio or video, pre-recorded audio and video media, cinema and theater tickets and books and other printed publications. Fixed telephone charges, broadcasting reception charges and Internet connection charges are as stated Data: MIC "Household Expenditure Survey" 6

7 Figure 5: Trends in consumer price indices of ICT-related equipment (year on year, %) TVs (flat panel) DVD Recorders PCs (desktop) PCs (laptop) Mobile telephones Data: MIC "Consumer Price Index" (Year/Quarter) 7

8 TOPICS Announcement of Frequency Reorganization Action Plan (February 20 Revision) In order to implement in a smooth and steady fashion the actual reorganization of frequencies, based on the evaluation results of the FY2008 Radio Wave Usage Conditions Survey (frequency bands below 770MHz, July 2009) and New Radio Wave Industry Creation Strategy (July 2009), MIC has revised its Frequency Reorganization Action Plan (November 2008 revision) and has announced the Frequency Reorganization Action Plan (February 20 revision). Furthermore, as part of the process of formulating this revised version, MIC invited comments concerning the proposal from November 27 until December 28, 2009, and is now announcing both the comments that were submitted and its own approach. 1. Background and purpose In order to adopt a concrete approach for a smooth and steady follow-up to the actual reorganization of frequencies, based on the evaluation results of the Radio Wave Usage Conditions Survey, MIC first formulated its Frequency Reorganization Action Plan in FY2004, and has been making revisions and announcing these on a yearly basis. On this occasion, the evaluation results of the FY2008 Radio Wave Usage Conditions Survey (July 2009) and the New Radio Wave Industry Creation Strategy (July 2009) were taken into consideration to produce a revision of the Frequency Reorganization Action Plan (November 2008 revision). 2. Outline of revision The following revisions have been made to the action plan for the various frequency bandwidths. (1) Taking into consideration the evaluation results of the FY2008 Radio Wave Usage Conditions Survey, a revision was made to the frequency bandwidth below the 770MHz range. (2) Based on the evaluation results for the FY2006 Radio Wave Usage Conditions Survey (as applied to the frequency bandwidth of 3.4GHz and above) and the FY2007 Radio Wave Usage Conditions Survey (as applied to frequency bandwidths above 770MHz and below 3.4GHz), the existing action plan was actualized based on newly obtained information. 3. Future plans Concrete action will be taken for implementation in the various frequency bandwidths. Furthermore, the revision of this action plan will be implemented taking into consideration the evaluation results of the Radio Wave Usage Conditions Survey that is carried out every year. The Frequency Reorganization Action Plan (February 20 Revision) Chapter 1. Background and purpose In order to promote the effective use of limited frequency resources as well as introduce a new frequency usage system and respond to the growing demand for frequencies, MIC carries out surveys and evaluations on a regular basis on radio wave usage conditions. In addition, it bases itself on the evaluation results of the Radio Wave Usage Conditions Survey to formulate, announce and revise the Frequency Reorganization Action Plan, maintaining transparency and foreseeability in promoting a smooth and steady transfer and reorganization of frequencies (see Figure 1). 8

9 Figure 1: Transfer and reorganization cycle for frequencies Transfer and reorganization cycle for frequencies Implementation of Radio Wave Usage Conditions Survey and evaluation (annual) Formulation of Frequency Reorganization Action Plan (annual) Formulation of frequency allocation plan Introduction of new frequency usage system In concrete terms, measures have been developed since 2003, taking into consideration the Radio Wave Policy Vision (Report by the Telecommunications Council, July 2003), for the Frequency Open Strategy with, as its foundation, the implementation of a reorganization of frequencies and research and development of technologies for the effective use of frequencies, to build a wireless broadband environment that is the most advanced in the world and work towards the economic revitalization of Japan. With this type of approach, Japan has promoted, in addition to mobile telephones, the penetration and use of various types of frequency usage system such as wireless LAN and RFID tags. In the future, with further developments and growth in frequency usage, there will be explosive growth in opportunities and types of network connections, and new types of frequency usage systems and services will appear. There are also high expectations for the realization of frequency usage in new fields that will address regional revitalization and environmental problems. On the other hand, frequencies are a limited resource and so the administration of frequencies that addresses the penetration and usage of new types of frequency usage systems and services is sought. This is why the current revision of the Frequency Reorganization Action Plan takes into consideration the evaluation results of the FY2008 Radio Wave Usage Conditions Survey and New Radio Industry Creation Strategy (July 2009). There is also the need to develop a radio frequency policy from a long-term perspective that bears in mind the new frequency usage systems and services that are expected to become reality in the future, and so, taking into consideration the improvement in frequency usage services, the diversification of user needs and trends in research and development to clarify action policies for the reorganization of frequencies and the research and development that is being carried out by the government for the effective use of frequencies, topics for research and development have been determined that bring those together. In concrete terms, in order to implement a smooth and steady migration, reorganization, and research and development of frequencies ahead of the introduction of new frequency usage systems, along with stipulating measures for the migration of existing systems ahead of the frequency reorganization as well as time limits for the migrations, the research and development topics that are needed ahead of the introduction of new frequency usage systems are to be defined in concrete terms, and a steady approach to these promoted. In addition, with regard to the formulation and revision of the Frequency Reorganization Action Plan, and from the perspective of maintaining transparency and fairness, the procedures for public comments are to be put in place, taking into consideration the evaluation of the level of effective usage of frequencies by frequency bandwidth (Article 26-2 of the Radio Law) that takes place, taking into account the evaluation results of the Radio Wave Usage Conditions Survey that is conducted every year as well as the progress of technologies that are related to frequencies and trends in demand, and international trends regarding frequency allocations. 9

10 Chapter 2. Principles for the allocation of various frequency bandwidths I. Under 335.4MHz being used in the likes of independent radio in public fields, aircraft and ship communications, TV and FM broadcasting and amateur radio. Digitalization will be promoted with regard to the existing analog radio system, and from the perspective of effective use of frequencies. Other than promoting the migration of analog emergency public radio (the 60MHz and the 150MHz band) and fire brigade radio (the 150MHz band) to digital formats (the 60MHz band (reserved for these broadcasts) and the 260MHz band), the introduction will be investigated of a simple digital format to satisfy small-scale communication demand. With regard to simple radio (150MHz), the introduction of a digital format will be investigated. With regard to the bandwidth that will become available (90-8MHz, MHz) as a result of the move to digital terrestrial broadcasting, technological conditions will be investigated for multi-media broadcasting for mobile terminals and a public broadband mobile communications system that will be introduced after II. The 335.4MHz to 770MHz bandwidth being used in the likes of independent radio in public fields, aircraft and ship communications, TV broadcasting and taxi radio. With regard to systems in the terrestrial field such as independent radio systems used in public work or general work, digitalization is promoted. The migration to a digital format (260MHz) will be promoted with regard to analog emergency public radio (the 400MHz band). The penetration will be encouraged of a digital format with regard to simple radio (the 350MHz band and the 450MHz band). With regard to the bandwidth that will become available (7-770MHz) as a result of the move to digital terrestrial broadcasting, technological conditions will be investigated for telecommunication for mobile telephones and intelligent transport systems (ITS) that will be introduced after III. The 770MHz to 960MHz bandwidth being used mainly for mobile communications systems such as the 800MHz band portable wireless communication, the 800MHz band MCA terrestrial mobile communication, specified wireless microphones and regional emergency radio. Taking into consideration the expected growth in usage of mobile communications systems, and in order to work towards the improvements associated with the shift from second generation mobile communications systems to third generation mobile communications systems, the reorganization of frequencies will be promoted with the aim of maintaining necessary frequencies in the mid to long term. With regard to 800MHz portable wireless communications, a reorganization of frequencies will be implemented for the 800MHz band by July 24, 2012, so that the 700MHz and 900MHz bands can be newly used rapidly after the end of terrestrial analog broadcasting. With regard to the 800MHz band FPU, policies for the effective use of frequencies will be investigated, while paying attention to compatibility with specified wireless microphones, in order to respond to demand for transmission of HDTV programming materials following the digitalization of terrestrial television broadcasting. With regard to regional emergency radio services, there will be a migration to the 260MHz bandwidth (digital wireless) by May 31, With regard to 800MHz MCA terrestrial mobile communications, an even more effective policy for the use of the frequency will be investigated. IV. The 960MHz to 2.7GHz bandwidth (Current state of usage) Widely used in all kinds of radio stations including 1.5GHz band portable wireless communications, mobile communications systems for 1.5GHz band MCA terrestrial mobile communication, satellite communications such as Inmarsat, aviation-use radar, in-premise radio station, specified low-power radio stations, GPS systems, PHS, 1.7GHz band portable wireless communications, 2GHz band portable wireless communications, and rural subscriber radio. Along with the reorganization of frequencies to address frequency demand in areas such as third

11 generation mobile communications systems, the elimination will be promoted of limited use of frequency bandwidths in order to bring about broadband that will meet the needs of users concerning BWA (Broadband Wireless Access) systems. Taking into consideration usage conditions for rural subscriber radio and estimated future demand, the introduction of a new frequency usage system will be investigated in order to achieve effective use of frequencies. With regard to the migration of the 2GHz band PHS operational use frequency, there will be an investigation to work towards the steady enlargement of frequencies that are used for the 2GHz band portable wireless communications. In order to eliminate limitations on operations of part of the BWA bandwidth, there will be an increase to the reception power of the terminal of the N-STAR satellite mobile communications systems by December 31, 2014, V. The 2.7GHz to 4.4GHz bandwidth used in aviation and marine radar, 4GHz band telecommunications commercial use fixed radio systems, video and audio STL/TTL/TSL and audio FPU. With regard to frequency allocation for mobile communications systems such as fourth generation mobile communications systems, investigations are under way while keeping in mind standardization work at the ITU and compatibility with fixed satellite service. VI. The 4.4GHz to 5.85GHz bandwidth used for 5GHz band telecommunications commercial use fixed radio systems, wireless access systems and weather radars. In order to maintain the necessary frequencies with the growth in demand expected from the likes of fourth generation mobile communications systems, there will be a rapid promotion of measures for the effective use of frequencies within the existing system. With regard to 5GHz band telecommunications commercial use fixed radio systems, care must be taken for the smooth migration of frequencies by November 30, With regard to 5GHz band weather radars and 5GHz band airport weather radars, investigations are under way for the use of even higher frequencies, along with working towards more effective use of frequencies through the introduction of technology to narrow the bandwidth. VII. 5.85GHz and above being use for various types of radar, satellite communications, satellite broadcasting, video FPU and wireless access systems. In order to promote the use of frequency bandwidths that are not being used, such as the high microwave band and millimeter wave band, development will be promoted of core technologies as well as new frequency usage systems. 11