Federal law requires that, on June 12th, all of the approximately 1,800 full-power television stations in the United States transition from analog to digital broadcasting. This switch will not end free, over-the-air television. In fact, it should enhance it. It will not make any TV sets obsolete. Even the oldest set can be brought up-to-date with the addition of a DTV converter box at little or no cost to the consumer.
So, how will this switch affect you? If you subscribe to pay-TV service, such as cable or satellite, you should already be receiving digital signals; therefore, you should not have to do anything to get ready for the transition. But, if you still use a roof-top antenna or "rabbit ears" to receive TV signals, and own an older model television, you will likely either need to subscribe to a pay television service, purchase a new TV with a built-in digital tuner, or acquire a converter box for each analog television in your home.
For many months, the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration has been issuing up to two $40 coupons per household to help defray the cost of purchasing converter boxes. Since delaying the original January 2009 transition date and providing additional funding for the coupon program, the Administration estimates that the number of households that are not prepared for the transition has been reduced from 6.5 million nationwide to 3.5 million.
Despite all of the preparations, there still concerns. I have talked with many people in Maine who have purchased a converter box yet they still cannot receive a digital signal or they are experiencing a drastic decrease in service. These gaps in service, known as the "cliff effect," are often the result of terrain or distance from the broadcast tower. As a result, once the switch is made on June 12th, some of these families will not be able to watch television at all. This is simply unacceptable. That is why I have joined with Senator Snowe to introduce legislation that would establish a $125 million fund to help local governments purchase digital television translators. The Federal Communications Commission recently approved the use of digital translators for full-power television stations to fill these coverage gaps. These repeaters are essential in filling the "dead zones" that will result from the transition to DTV.
The DTV transition should dramatically improve the clarity of television broadcasts with clearer pictures and sound. More important, it will also free up additional broadcast spectrum for use by public-safety responders such as police, firefighters and other emergency personnel. This additional spectrum will help expand communications capabilities in the event of a terrorist attack or a natural disaster.
There is still time to prepare for the June 12th transition. To determine whether your TV sets require a digital converter box, to request coupons, or just to learn more about DTV, you can visit www.dtv.gov or call the FCC's DTV helpline at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5388).
Digital television will transform your television viewing experience, but it is essential that we work together to ensure a smooth transition.