The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is constructing "information BOXes" and an optical fiber network for road management to actively support the construction of a world-class information communication network. By the end of fiscal 2002, "information BOXes" and optical fibers for road management will be installed in approximately a half of all municipalities in Japan.
Private companies have stated their intention to use approximately 66,000 km of the optical fibers, of which a total length of 14,500 km, approximately 22% (as of June 2001), is already used, showing strong demand. The Ministry decided to open the "information BOXes" to private companies to speed up the implementation of nationwide private optical fiber network service and reduce communication costs. The use of "information BOXes" is estimated to cost only 10% or less of the cost necessary for private companies to install optical fibers on their own.
Of the optical fibers for road management of the national government, sections that are not planned to be used for a while were decided to be made available to private companies. In July and August 2002, briefings were held at every Regional Development Bureau. Such utilization of the optical fibers for road management will accelerate the efficient formation of advanced information communication networks and the construction of nationwide networks.
Schematic diagram of "information BOX"
Image of an "information BOX"
Cost of installing private optical fibers (estimated value per km)
Opening the optical fiber network for road management to private companies
