An experts' panel at the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry has started reviewing the anti-monopoly regulations covering the NTT group and is expected to issue a report by the end of November. Members of the panel should carefully study the merits and demerits of easing regulations on the industry giant.
The bottom line of the review should be how to maximize convenience for users. The panel should find ways to strengthen Japan's information and communication technology infrastructure so that service providers become more competitive and offer better services at lower cost.
NTT has told a hearing that while current regulations effectively ban companies in the group from forming exclusive business tieups with specific firms, it could enter alliances with companies in various sectors such as automobile, education and medical services if the ban were eased.