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Mike Ross Across the country and here in Arkansas, America’s households are planning for the upcoming digital television (DTV) transition. The transition process is currently being tested in select cities and by February 17, 2009, each television set in your home will broadcast on digital airwaves.
The transition is taking place because Congress mandated the conversion to all-digital television broadcasting to free up frequencies for public safety communications such as police, fire, and emergency rescue. The transition will also enhance your everyday use as DTV is a more efficient technology that allows broadcast stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, as well as more programming options. Each household has three options to ensure your television service is uninterrupted and that your sets are equipped for the DTV transition. If you currently subscribe to cable, satellite, or another television service provider that already transmits digitally, then you should not be impacted by the transition. Many Arkansans also receive television service by means of an over-the-air antenna, or rabbit ears. For those sets, you will simply need to attach a small digital-to-analog converter box to your television to receive continued service. To help you with the DTV transition, I would like to provide some useful information. You can learn more about the transition process and how it could affect you by visiting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website, http://www.dtv.gov/. The FCC has also started a TV Converter Box Coupon Program that will allow households to receive 2 coupons valuing $40 each that can be applied towards the purchase of available converter boxes. To sign up for this program, call 1-888-DTV-2009 or go to www.DTV2009.gov. As your voice in Washington, it is my job to inform you of issues such as the digital transition so that you and your family can be prepared and receive uninterrupted service. With my seat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over telecommunications issues, I will continue to work on these issues on behalf of Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District. (Congressman Mike Ross writes a periodic column) |
