Boozman: DTV Transition About Public Safety

Press Release

Boozman: DTV Transition About Public Safety

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today voted to hold uphold the decision of Congress to transition to digital television by February 17, 2009.

"We have had more than three years to get ready to transition to digital television and Third District residents and businesses have taken a proactive approach at getting the message out about the transition," Boozman said. "The decision of the Speaker of the House to bring this vote to the House floor undermines that outreach and the taxpayer funding that has already been spent to educate the public about this topic."

$1.34 billion has been allocated for two forty-dollar converter box coupons per home. If coupons are not used and expire, those funds are returned to the Program to fill requests. In early January the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced customers would have to be placed on a waiting list for coupons. However, as of the end of November 2008, 93 percent of households had at least one television prepared for the transition and 83 percent had all their TVs prepared, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Congress mandated the transition to digital broadcasting in 2006 to free up the broadcast spectrum for important public safety activities that will increase the nation's ability to respond to terrorist attacks and national disasters.

"This is about public safety," Boozman said. "Delaying this transition does more harm than good and causes unnecessary government spending. I'm confident we can help resolve problems with the coupons while continuing our commitment to the American people."

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