WASHINGTON—With the United States set to switch from analog to digital television in February 2009, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today issued the following statement on the launch of the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, designed to help facilitate the changeover.* "The TV Converter Coupon Program opened as scheduled on Jan. 1, and is off to a great start. Americans have begun requesting coupons that will help them get the converter boxes needed for when our television signals change on Feb. 17, 2009. With these coupons, the federal government will defray $40 of the cost of an eligible converter, which is expected to cost between $50 and $70.
"The demand for coupons is strong. We've taken requests from every state for nearly 1.9 million coupons from more than one million households.
"Digital television provides consumers with a clearer picture, more programming, and frees up spectrum for advanced wireless broadband services and interoperable communications among emergency first responders.
"The public has until Feb. 17, 2009 to decide how to keep their analog televisions working." Televisions hooked up to cable, satellite or other pay services do not need a converter from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.
Background: The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires full-power television stations to cease analog broadcasts and switch to digital after Feb. 17, 2009. The Act also authorizes Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to create the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.
By Feb. 17, 2009, consumers need to look at each analog television set in their home that is not connected to cable, satellite, or other pay television service and make a decision: NTIA will provide consumers a list of eligible converters and participating retailers when coupons are mailed. Coupons expire 90 days after they are mailed, and only one coupon can be used to purchase each coupon-eligible converter box.
NTIA encourages the voluntary participation of consumer electronics retailers. The application deadline to become a certified retailer is March 31, 2008. Consumer electronics retailers interested in participating in the program should go to www.ntiadtv.gov or call 1-866-296-1107 for additional information and to sign up as a participating retailer.
NTIA is responsible for the development of the domestic and international telecommunications policy of the Executive Branch.
*Clarified from the original: “With the United States set to switch completely from analog to digital television in February 2009, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today issued the following statement on the launch of the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, designed to help facilitate the changeover.”
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
