Foster Votes To Help Consumers Prepare For DTV Transition

Press Release

Foster Votes To Help Consumers Prepare For DTV Transition

Today, Representative Bill Foster (IL-14) voted to postpone the date of the analog-to-digital television transition, a move designed to better prepare consumers in the 14th district, many of whom still are waiting for converter box coupons.

Under current law, all full-power television stations are required to cease analog broadcasts, subjected to limited exceptions, on February 17, 2009. As the transition date quickly approaches, it has become apparent that existing government initiatives to support the transition are insufficient.

"In the 14th District alone, there are 3,029 households currently on the digital television converter box coupon waiting list," said Foster. "By pushing back the date of the transition, we can better ensure that we can protect those who are trying to make the transition but have not been accommodated."

S. 352, the DTV Delay Act, will postpone the transition date to June 12, 2009, and will permit consumers who have never redeemed coupons to reapply for replacement coupons, provided that no household can redeem more than two coupons. The bill also expressly preserves the ability of public safety entities to use the DTV spectrum before the new transition date, subject to existing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules.

Source