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U.S. Sen. Harkin: Cosponsors DTV delay legislation
1/19/2009

HARKIN COSPONSORS DTV DELAY LEGISLATION

Bill would move digital conversion to June 12, 2009

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today cosponsored a bill, introduced by the incoming Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) that will delay the upcoming transition to digital television (DTV) for three months. The current transition is scheduled to take place on February 12, 2009. A recent survey by Consumer Report showed that 63% of Americans are unclear about how the transition will affect them.

“The transition to DTV is one of the most significant developments in television, but we need to ensure everyone is ready for the switch,” said Harkin. “This delay will allow those who will be most affected by the switch – those living in rural communities, the poor, the elderly, the disabled, and those with language barriers – to better make the transition.”

Last summer, Harkin sent a letter to the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) requesting that they reissue expired coupons used to supplement the price of a converter box needed to make the switch from analog TV to Digital TV (DTV). The coupons are valid for up to 90 days, however unavoidable reasons have prevented many individuals from using prior to the expiration date. Reasons include a lack of boxes in stock at local retailers or an extended stay in the hospital.

Harkin’s staff in Iowa has been touring the state to provide information about how to successfully make the change from analog to digital TV.

Details of the legislation are below.

Delay helps Americans who remain confused and unprepared – The majority of Americans are unclear about how the transition will affect them. Despite high awareness of the DTV switch, a recent Consumer Report survey found that among Americans aware of the transition, 63% had major misconceptions about what steps they need to take to prepare.

Delay reduces public safety risks – As a source of local news and information in the event of emergency or natural disaster, television serves a vital role in public safety. Consumers who do not successfully make the transition will lose access to the Emergency Alert System and AMBER Alert messages.

Delay allows federal agencies to adequately prepare – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expects to receive almost 1.5 million calls on the days immediately following the transition but at current capacity their call center will be able to process only 350,000 of those calls each day. Republican FCC Commissioner McDowell recently stated that “the Commission’s efforts to date are inadequate.”

Delay allows the Administration to fix the DTV coupon program – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has mismanaged the coupon program designed to assist consumers with the purchase of digital to analog converter boxes. Over two million households are on a waiting list to receive coupons. Even with additional resources, it may be impossible to fill the backlog of coupon orders before February 17th. Congress and the new administration need time to pursue funding solutions and improve the program to ensure consumers receive the help they need.

Delay provides the opportunity for local community coordination – The DTV transition will be different in each community in the country. Yet consumer education efforts to date have largely been national in scope. No coordinated efforts exist to help the elderly and disabled install converter boxes. The new administration needs time to develop regional approaches to help consumers.

Delay reduces safety risks – In many parts of the country the winter weather will put consumers and tower crews at risk if the transition occurs on February 17th. To maintain TV reception post-transition, many consumers may need to install roof-top antenna. Pushing back the deadline until the summer will reduce the potential for antenna-related accidents on icy winter


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