Panel seeks combination of wired, wireless telecom networks

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A Japanese advisory panel asked the government Thursday to install wired and wireless networks in combination to improve the availability of broadband telecommunications services at rural areas.

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A combination of fiber-optic cables, mobile phone relay stations and communications satellites would be useful in overcoming telecom service gaps between urban and rural areas at lower costs, the panel said.

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The government plans to complete broadband networks across the country by the end of March 2011. But progress has been slow due to massive investment needed in rural areas.

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The panel also proposed promoting the use of small mobile phone relay stations in order to eliminate out-of-service areas.

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The public and private sectors need to spend a maximum 1.2 trillion yen to implement the recommended measures, the panel said.

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