Starting up

This blog is specialized in the spectrum policy in Japan.

Japanese government is planning to stop analog broadcasting until 2011. However, since there remain almost 100 million analog TVs in Japan, this is a very risky project. In 2011, MIC would have to scrap more than 50 million analog TVs.

However, assumig the band will be evacuated, MIC held closed "meetings" of firms to allocate spectrum. Total frequencies to be allocated are more than 180 MHz:

• VHF band: 70MHz (part of 90-222 MHz)
  
• UHF band: 60MHz (710-770 MHz)
  
• 1.7GHz (GSM band): 35MHz (1.75-1.785GHz)
  
• 2GHz band: 15MHz (2.01-2.025GHz)

Beside these bands, TV stations claim 240MHz (470-710 MHz) for only 7 channels (42MHz). There would be at least 120MHz of white spaces in this band. So the total spectrum is more than 300MHz. This is a huge asset, if the government auctions these bands, that can be sold in more than $10 billion.

In the Unites States, the FCC auctioned 700MHz band, and Wireless Innovation Alliance led by Google, Microsoft, Dell, HP and other companies, demanded the FCC to open the white spaces occupied by TV stations but unused.

But Japanese government is going to give it away even without beauty contests. We object against this command and control approach. Even if they don't auction them, at least fair and open "beauty contests" with objective criteria should be held. We are going to report the situation in Japan by this blog.

As we need to know the situation in other countries, comments are welcome. You can join the members of this blog if you e-mail me.