Public Comment Results and Council Recommendation on 700 MHz Mobile Satellite
Overview
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications conducted a public consultation from July 11, 2026, to August 10, 2026, on institutional arrangements for introducing a 700 MHz-band non-geostationary satellite communication system for mobile phones using a satellite constellation, and published the results after receiving 10 comments. Following a formal recommendation from the Radio Regulatory Council stating that the matters were appropriate as drafted, the ministry plans to promptly establish the relevant provisions.
Key points
- Institutional arrangements are being developed to introduce a 700 MHz-band non-geostationary satellite communication system for mobile phones using a satellite constellation.
- The public consultation received 10 comments.
- The Radio Regulatory Council issued a formal recommendation that the matters referred to it under the Radio Act concerning the draft ministerial ordinance and related items were appropriate as drafted.
- Based on the consultation results and the formal recommendation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications plans to promptly establish the relevant provisions.
Overview
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications prepared amendments to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act and related rules to introduce, using a satellite constellation, a 700 MHz-band non-geostationary satellite communication system for mobile phones that can efficiently cover areas such as remote islands, offshore areas, and mountainous regions where communication infrastructure is not established, and is also considered useful as a means of communication during emergencies such as natural disasters.
Impact
Because this communication system is useful for covering areas where communication infrastructure is not established and as a means of communication during emergencies such as natural disasters, its introduction and deployment are anticipated.
Details
The public consultation was conducted from July 11, 2026, to August 10 of the same year, and the submitted comments and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' views were published. Subsequently, the matters referred to the Radio Regulatory Council under the Radio Act were submitted to the council for deliberation; the council is chaired by Iwao Sasase, Professor Emeritus at Keio University. The council issued a formal recommendation that they were appropriate as drafted. The ministry plans to establish the relevant provisions based on the results and the formal recommendation.