Figure 1-10: Transitions in the Number of Subscribers to Third-Generation Cell Phones

Source: Based on materials of the Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA)

digital broadcasting will be realized for all broadcasting media—terrestrial, satellite, and cable television broadcasting. Since television is diffused to almost all households in Japan, by promoting digitization of terrestrial television broadcasting, it will be possible to establish a "home infrastructure for supporting the IT Revolution" allowing all people to use advanced services easily through the widely penetrated television.

The first digital broadcasting in Japan started with the launch of CS digital broadcasting using a communication satellite (CS) in June 1996. In July 1998, digital broadcasting became available also on cable television in some areas. In December 2000, BS digital broadcasting using a broadcasting satellite (BS) commenced, and 110°E CS digital broadcasting started in March 2002. In fall of 2003, test broadcasting of terrestrial digital sound broadcasting is scheduled to start in Tokyo and Osaka for the purpose of understanding the demands and developing broadcasting services. In December 2003, terrestrial digital television broadcasting is planned to be launched in the three major regions.

The shift from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting is also planned to be completed by 2011 except for terrestrial radio broadcasting. CS broadcasting has already mostly completed the shift to digital broadcasting. Of BS analog broadcasting, the shift will complete for analog Hi-Vision broadcasting by 2007 and for other broadcasting (NHK-1, 2, WOWOW) by 2011. Terrestrial analog television broadcasting is planned to be terminated in 2011. It is aimed that almost all cable televisions be also digitized by 2010.

Figure 1-11: Number of Subscribers to Third-Generation Cell Phones in the World (end of FY 2002)

Sources: Based on a survey by CDG, a survey by QUALCOMM, and materials of TCA.

### 2. Prospects and Problems of Next-Generation Information and Communications Networks

## (1) Next-Generation Ubiquitous Networks (i) Significance of ubiquitous networks

The information and communications networks that are anticipated to become the mainstream in the next generation are “networks that are usable anytime, anywhere, by anybody” (ubiquitous networks), which are the further developed form of the rapidly disseminating broadband, cellular phones, and digital broadcasting. Ubiquitous networks allow anybody to distribute any kind of information and content from any part of the globe at any time without any restrictions in terms of transmission speed, etc.

Conventional information and communications networks had various limitations, such as spatial/geographical restrictions, restrictions in the receiving devices, restrictions in the selectable networks/terminals/services/contents, restrictions in communication performance, and network risks. However, ubiquitous networks are able to overcome these limitations. The basic concept of ubiquitous networks can be summarized into the five points in Figure 1-12.

Moreover, ubiquitous networks will also be able to solve or reduce the economic and social problems Japan is currently facing. Ubiquitous networks will not only [1] make people’s daily lives richer in quality and more convenient, but also contribute to innovating social systems by [2] realizing secure societal life, [3] promoting social participation by the disabled and the elderly, and [4] responding to environmental problems. Furthermore, they will contribute to revitalizing the Japanese economy by [5] generating