Washington, D.C. — Congressman G. K. Butterfield has urged the Federal Communications Commission to delay the digital television conversion because so many North Carolinians stand to be left in the dark.
“With the digital television conversion date looming just a month away it is clear that too many people across the country are unprepared and would be left in the dark,” Butterfield said. “Simply delaying the conversion would provide the time needed to ensure a smooth transition.”
Butterfield wrote to FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin to urge a delay in the transition from analog to digital television broadcasting out of concern that millions of Americans could be without a television signal on February 17, 2009.
Currently, television stations across the country are scheduled to stop sending analog signals on February 17, 2009. At that point, television stations are expected to only broadcast over-the-air programming in the digital spectrum. While cable and satellite subscribers will not be affected, people who use antennas to receive a signal will need a digital tuner.
To ease the transition, Congress funded a Converter Box Coupon Program that provides up to two $40 coupons to offset the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes. Unfortunately, the fund was exhausted on January 4, 2009 and people are experiencing delays in receiving the coupons of up to eight weeks.
Butterfield said the coupon waiting list stands at more than 2.1 million requests, representing more than 3 million people and 1.2 million households across the country. Given eastern North Carolina’s rural nature, Butterfield said it is likely that that thousands of residents would be in jeopardy of losing television service without a deadline delay.
“Given the circumstances and vulnerabilities, the transition date must be extended,” Butterfield said.
Butterfield, who was recently named to the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet which has jurisdiction over this issue, said that the subcommittee to may consider a legislative solution if the FCC fails to delay transition. He also said that he expects the subcommittee to consider legislation that would provide the funding needed for the Converter Box Coupon Program.
The text of the letter follows:
The Honorable Kevin J. Martin, Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chairman Martin:
I write to respectfully request that the Analog to Digital Transition (DTV Transition) be delayed to ensure that households across the country can adequately prepare themselves for the transition by obtaining a converter box or installing cable or satellite service.
The DTV Transition is one of the largest tasks the Federal Communications Commission as undertaken during its 74 year existence. Unfortunately, citizens around the country are largely unprepared for the transition with some 15 percent of households nationwide still limited with televisions only equipped for analog reception. Those households will inevitably be without basic television service starting on February 17, 2009 and will be vulnerable in the event of a natural disaster and emergency.
The problem is exacerbated in rural areas like the First Congressional District of North Carolina. I represent one of the poorest regions in the country where an estimated 81,000 households depend on over-the-air signals to receive their information about local and national news, disasters and emergencies.
It is my understanding that the Converter Box Coupon Program has essentially exhausted the $1.34 billion appropriated by Congress, and requests for coupon are met with six- to eight-week delays. Given the circumstances and vulnerabilities, the transition date must be extended. More resources and time must be devoted to ensure that Americans are able to transition to digital television and not left in the dark.
I thank you for your consideration and look forward to discussing this issue with you further.
Thank you very much.