Martin Weighs In On DTV Delay
Delaying the nation's Feb. 17 switchover from analog to digital television would lead to considerable consumer confusion and additional costs for the U.S. government and the private sector, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin warned during an interview at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Saturday. Earlier this week President-elect Barack Obama proposed pushing back the deadline and it was announced that the federal program to help subsidize the cost of converter boxes for analog TV sets had run out of money. "Ultimately this is up to Congress to decide," Martin told Tech Daily Dose. "But something needs to be done to make sure coupons [for converter boxes] are issued again." he said.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John (Jay) Rockefeller issued a statement Thursday saying Obama's team "deserves time to bring to order what has been an appallingly mismanaged process by the Bush administration" and he would support delaying the date "unit we can do it right." Ranking member Kay Bailey Hutchison, however, said it was too early to call for a delay and members should focus on the coupon shortage. Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., a senior member of the House Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee, said moving the date would involve significant logistical challenges but Congress should immediately consider the feasibility of Obama's proposal.
Senate Aging Committee Chairman Herb Kohl sent letters to Rockefeller, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, and Barbara Mikulski, who chairs the Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee, urging them to address the shortfall in funding for coupon program. Kohl said fast and decisive action is needed to keep the program afloat until a majority of those in need get their coupons. He has repeatedly called on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to make policy changes that he believes would smooth the transition.
Consumers have been bombarded with information regarding Feb. 17 and all available information shows that nearly 100 percent of them are aware of the transition and are taking the necessary steps, Consumer Electronics Association President Gary Shapiro said. CEA believes converter boxes are readily available and concerns about the coupon program should be addressed swiftly by Congress, he said. A National Association of Broadcasters spokesman said his group's members will be ready for the switchover and echoed calls for ensuring coupon availability so consumers will also be prepared.
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