plan. The organization is in charge of managing the whole network.
The network came into operation in December 1991 through the center station (in Yamaguchi city) which has the necessary functions to allow joint use of the transponders by local governments throughout the country the sub-center station (in Bibai city) which provides back-up for the center station, and the Tokyo station for connecting the Tokyo offices of local governments. As of the end of March 1997, 31 prefectures and related municipalities were using the satellite communications system. (see Table 23)
The Local Authorities Satellite Communications Organization is engaged in the following activities:
a. supplying and coordinating use of the transponders provided for the use of local governments, etc.
b. various services such as sound, data and image transmission to local governments by communications satellite
c. planning, editing, producing and managing images for local governments to use the communications satellite
d. designing, installing, operating and maintaining the transmission facilities and equipment for local governments to use the communications satellite
e. advising local authorities on the satellite communications system and its use.
(3) Function of the network
The satellite communications network constructed on the basis of this plan enables individual and mutual communication by sound, facsimile and data between local governments throughout the country that subscribe to the network. If the necessary functions are added, transmission of images or pictures by digital or analog signals is possible.
A communication control function and simultaneous order function have been added to enable use as prefectural radio communications for disaster prevention. Moreover the centre station can allocate circuits for priority use by organizations that have been afflicted by disaster, thus ensuring efficient utilization of a limited number of circuits.
(4) Benefits of network and examples of use
The benefits of the satellite communications network and concrete examples of its use are as follows.
