Japan MIC 800 MHz Band: Wi-Fi HaLow Consultation Open
Japan MIC 800 MHz Band Consultation: Registered-Station Rules for Wi-Fi HaLow and the FY2026 Frequency Reorganization Action Plan
Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has opened two public consultations that matter to manufacturers of sub-1 GHz IoT, Wi-Fi, cellular, satellite and automotive radio equipment. The first is a draft Ministerial Ordinance amending the Radio Law Enforcement Regulations to complete the regulatory framework for 800 MHz band broadband low-power radio systems, the band newly opened to IEEE 802.11ah (Wi-Fi HaLow). The second is the draft Frequency Reorganization Action Plan (FY2026 edition), MIC's annual roadmap for reallocating spectrum.
Both consultations close in October 2026.
Japan MIC 800 MHz Band Consultations at a Glance
800 MHz broadband low-power radio | Frequency Reorganization Action Plan | |
Instrument | Draft Ministerial Ordinance amending part of the Radio Law Enforcement Regulations | Draft Frequency Reorganization Action Plan (FY2026 edition) |
Announced | September 11, 2026 | September 18, 2026 |
Comment period | September 12 to October 16, 2026 | September 19 to October 23, 2026 |
Legal basis | Radio Act, Article 27-21(1) | Annual policy plan based on the radio spectrum usage survey |
Responsible office | New-Generation Mobile Communications System Promotion Office, Mobile Communications Division | Radio Policy Division, Radio Department |
Official page |
Regulatory Background
The 800 MHz proposal follows from the planned shutdown of Japan's Digital MCA land mobile system, which ends service on May 31, 2029. MIC has been preparing new uses for the 845 to 860 MHz spectrum that the shutdown will release, and two systems were selected: a three-dimensional positioning system and an 800 MHz broadband low-power radio system based on IEEE 802.11ah.
Japan already permits Wi-Fi HaLow in the 920 MHz band, where it is limited to 20 mW and a 10 percent duty cycle. The 800 MHz framework is designed for longer range and higher throughput, with output power up to 200 mW and no hourly duty-cycle limit.
The rule-making has moved in stages:
October 2025: the Information and Communications Council issued its partial report on the technical conditions.
January 24 to February 24, 2026: first public consultation on the draft ordinances.
March 11, 2026: the Radio Regulatory Council delivered its report.
April 3 to May 7, 2026: consultation on the supporting notifications covering carrier sense and transmission time limits.
July 30, 2026: MIC implemented the ordinance amendments establishing the technical standards.
The consultation now open is described by MIC as an additional regulatory measure that builds on the July 30 amendments.
What the Draft Ministerial Ordinance Changes
The draft is short. It amends Article 17 of the Radio Law Enforcement Regulations, which lists the radio equipment specifications eligible for Japan's registered-station regime under Article 27-21(1) of the Radio Act.
A new item 12 is inserted, referring to the technical standards in Article 49-37 of the Radio Equipment Regulations as they apply to portable stations. The existing item 12 is renumbered as item 13. The ordinance would enter into force on the date of its promulgation, with no transition period stated in the draft.
In practical terms, the 800 MHz system uses a two-tier structure:
Parent stations (access points) are classified as portable stations and operate as registered stations.
Child stations (client devices) are classified as specified low-power radio stations and are licence-exempt when they operate under the control of a registered parent station. Direct communication between child stations is not permitted.
The draft adds the parent-station equipment standard to the Article 17 list, which is the step that formally connects this equipment to the registration procedure.
Technical conditions for the 800 MHz system
The parameters below come from MIC's published overview of the system, based on the Information and Communications Council report.
Parameter | Requirement |
Frequency band | 846.5 to 854.5 MHz (846.5 to 848.5 MHz only until May 31, 2029) |
Unit channels | 1 MHz spacing; eight channels (847 to 854 MHz) at 20 mW or less; seven channels (847 to 853 MHz) above 20 mW |
Channel bonding | 1, 2, 4 or 8 unit channels (8 only at 20 mW or less) |
Antenna power | 200 mW (23 dBm) or less; 20 mW (13 dBm) or less when the 854 MHz channel is used |
Antenna gain | 8 dBi or less for parent stations; 3 dBi or less for child stations |
Carrier sense | Mandatory; 212 µs or longer; threshold of -75 dBm per MHz |
Transmission time | Emission must stop within 100 ms |
Duty cycle | No hourly limit |
Frequency tolerance | ±20 ppm |
Antenna power tolerance | +20 percent, -80 percent |
Draft Frequency Reorganization Action Plan (FY2026 Edition)
MIC has published the Action Plan every year since FY2004. The FY2026 draft reflects the FY2025 spectrum usage survey evaluation released in August 2026 and restates the national target of securing roughly 47 GHz of additional bandwidth by the end of 2040. MIC reports that 3.265 GHz was secured during FY2025.
Priority area | Key points in the draft |
6G | Work toward IMT identification at WRC-27 for 4400 to 4800 MHz, 7125 to 8400 MHz and 14.8 to 15.35 GHz; sharing studies for the 4 GHz, 6 to 8 GHz and 15 GHz bands to start in FY2027 |
5G | Japan's first price-competition assignment was held in June 2026; 25.8 to 26.2 GHz and 26.8 to 27.0 GHz were assigned in July 2026. Incumbent 26 GHz systems have a use deadline of the end of May 2031. Timing for 40 GHz will be reconsidered |
Non-terrestrial networks | Rules for 700 MHz satellite direct-to-device (715 to 718 MHz and 770 to 773 MHz) planned within 2026; HAPS rules adopted in April 2026; Ka-band satellite studies to begin in FY2026 |
Wireless LAN | Rules for 6 GHz Standard Power mode (5925 to 6425 MHz and 6570 to 6870 MHz) planned within FY2026, together with design of the AFC system; narrowband devices in the lower 6 GHz band under study |
V2X | Up to 30 MHz (5895 to 5925 MHz) was allocated to V2X in January 2026; incumbent migration and technical studies continue |
Public-sector spectrum | Continued review of government systems that are analogue or that occupy bands with emerging demand |
800 and 900 MHz | 800 MHz broadband low-power framework to be completed within 2026; successor system to Advanced MCA after its March 2027 shutdown; technical study on specified radio microphones in the 900 MHz band from FY2027 |
What This Means for Manufacturers
Access point and gateway vendors. If the draft is adopted, 800 MHz Wi-Fi HaLow parent stations will be operated under registration. Registration applies to stations that use equipment bearing Japan's technical conformity mark, so certified hardware is a precondition for your customers. Product documentation should make clear that the operator must register the parent station.
Client device and module vendors. Child stations remain licence-exempt but only when controlled by a registered parent station. Firmware must prevent child-to-child communication and enforce the carrier sense and 100 ms transmission limits.
Product planners. Until May 31, 2029, only 846.5 to 848.5 MHz is available, which supports 1 MHz and 2 MHz channels. The 4 MHz and 8 MHz channels that make the band attractive for video become usable from June 1, 2029. Devices sold before then need a channel plan that respects the interim limit.
Vendors with 920 MHz HaLow products. The 800 MHz band has different frequencies, power limits and carrier sense timing. Existing 920 MHz approvals should not be assumed to cover 800 MHz operation.
Wi-Fi, cellular, satellite and automotive vendors. The Action Plan signals new certification scope in the next 12 to 24 months, particularly 6 GHz Standard Power with AFC, 700 MHz direct-to-device, and 5.9 GHz V2X.
Certification Impact Summary
Area | Status | Impact |
Station classification | Parent: portable station (registered). Child: specified low-power radio station (licence-exempt) | Draft adds the parent-station equipment standard to Article 17 of the Enforcement Regulations |
Technical conformity certification | Technical standards in force since July 30, 2026 | No new test requirements in this draft; certification is required before registration or use |
RF test parameters | Set by the July 30, 2026 amendments and supporting notifications | Unchanged by this draft |
SAR | Applies to devices intended for use within 20 cm of the body | Modules are assessed in the host product |
Operator obligations | Registration of parent stations with MIC | Becomes available once the ordinance is promulgated |
Entry into force | Date of promulgation | No transition period in the draft |
920 MHz HaLow approvals | Separate framework | Not affected |
Timeline and Required Actions
Date | Milestone | Required action |
October 16, 2026 | Comment deadline, 800 MHz draft ordinance | Submit comments in Japanese through e-Gov, email or post |
October 23, 2026 | Comment deadline, Action Plan FY2026 | Submit comments on band plans affecting your product roadmap |
After the consultation | MIC consults the Radio Regulatory Council, then promulgates the ordinance | Monitor the Official Gazette for the promulgation date |
By end of 2026 | 800 MHz framework completed (Action Plan target) | Finalize test plans with a Registered Certification Body |
By March 2027 | 6 GHz Standard Power rules; Advanced MCA shutdown | Review 6 GHz product designs for AFC support |
FY2027 | 6G band sharing studies begin | Track candidate bands for long-term planning |
May 31, 2029 | Digital MCA service ends | Prepare firmware and certification for wider channels |
June 1, 2029 | Full 846.5 to 854.5 MHz band available | Launch 4 MHz and 8 MHz channel products |
Recommended next steps:
Decide whether to file comments. Submissions must be written in Japanese, and comments over 1,000 characters need a summary.
Confirm the certification route for 800 MHz parent and child devices with a Japanese Registered Certification Body.
Audit firmware for carrier sense, transmission time and channel restrictions through May 2029.
Update user manuals and importer guidance to explain the registration requirement for parent stations.
Map the Action Plan priorities against your Japan product roadmap for 2027 to 2029.
How to Submit Comments
For the 800 MHz draft ordinance, comments can be filed through the e-Gov public comment portal (the method MIC prefers), by email to the New-Generation Mobile Communications System Promotion Office, or by post to MIC in Tokyo. Each comment should identify the draft and the relevant page. For the Action Plan, the submission guidelines are attached to the MIC press release as Attachment 3.
