1996-019                                                      September 18, 1996

KDD (Japan's Global Communications) today filed an application with the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications for reduction of the rates for international television transmission service and mobile earth station "Big Shell."

KDD plans to put the new rates into effect from October 1.

1. Reduction of international television transmission service rates

The rate cut is designed to better meet customers' needs and improve KDD's international competitiveness. The average rate reduction is 24% (48% maximum) or total of some 390 million yen (based on fiscal year 1996 figures). The rate cut applies to all service areas.

When the service is used for 10 minutes from overseas to Japan, for example, the charge on Japan side would be 53,000 yen*, compared to 83,000 yen* that would be charged today.
* When KDD's broad-band relay facilities are used on the terrestrial portion and occasional transmission is used via INTELSAT satellite (current charge assumes that "Special service" is used).

The rate cut makes KDD's rates lower than the standard rates charged for a similar service by many of the telecommunication carriers in Europe and Asia.

This will be the first rate cut since October 1995.

2. Reduction of mobile earth station "Big Shell" rates

Big Shell is a vehicle-mounted type mobile earth station facility that allows satellite access from virtually anywhere in the country. It has proven to be a popular means of transmitting video from event sites, for example, where circuits are difficult to secure. KDD will cut the rate for this service by 40%. Whereas the current rate for the first day is 700,000 yen and every additional day 500,000 yen, they will be reduced to 420,000 yen and 300,000 yen*, respectively.
* Other expenses such as a transmission charge and the fuel cost for the vehicle are required.

At the Atlanta Olympics, KDD provided high quality general television transmission and Hi-Vision transmission between Japan and the United States using TPC-5CN. This is one of the ways that KDD is actively working to meet the changing needs of customers in the multimedia age.

[Reference]

･ International television transmission service

One of the so-called "international TV relays." KDD establishes a circuit between the point in Japan and the point overseas specified by the customer with every order. The circuit is used for a unidirectional communication such as the transmission or reception of video and accompanying voice or other sound effects, satellite relay of television news or sports event by a broadcasting station, or for video transmission at an event, for example, by a general customer.

KDD offers three service varieties to meet customers' needs.
<1> Occasional transmission
International television transmission is temporarily used by the customer between the points and at the time that they designate. This service is suitable for the broadcast of spontaneous news or sport event abroad.

<2> Regular transmission
International television transmission is used by the customer between the points and at the time that they designate for at least four times a week and three consecutive months. The transmission must be made at the same time and on the same day of the week every week. This service is suitable for a regular news program, for example.

<3> Fixed-term transmission
The customer may use international television transmission between the points that they designate as much as they wish during a fixed term. This service is suitable for intensive transmission during a fixed period such as Summit or Olympic Games.

･ Sample rates for International Television Transmission Service

Occasional transmission　　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　(Unit: yen)

* The ordinary and Special service rates have been replaced with a single rate.
･ Type A: Uses domestic Type 1 carrier's reray circuit
　Type B: Uses KDD's broad-band relay facilities

･ Special service: Cancellation is permitted after application
　Ordinary service: Cancellation is not permitted after application

･ Sample rates for mobile earth station

Unidirectional (transmission or reception)　　　　　　　 (Unit: yen)