Report Says Government Has No Plan for Digital TV Switch-Over

by Terrence O'Brien on December 14, 2007 at 12:03 PM

According a new report (PDF file) from the Government Accountability Office, or GAO, the U.S. government is not prepared for the February 17, 2009 deadline for the switch to digital television signals. The GAO says that, "Despite efforts by the public and private sectors and ongoing coordination, we found that no comprehensive plan for the transition exists."

Till now the government relied very strongly on initiatives from the private sector to spread the word about the switch from analog to digital. When the switch is finalized, citizens' analog television sets will cease to function with over the air (OTA) broadcasts. Owners who don't purchase a digital television will be forced to get a cable or satellite TV system or a digital/analog converter box. The government has put in place a program to lighten the load on the consumer by subsidizing the purchase of a new digital TV or converter box by offering $40 coupons for the purchases.

Kevin Martin, chairman of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the arm of the Commerce Department overseeing the transition, responded by offering 99 pages of "comprehensive plans, goals and achievements" drawn up by the FCC.

While you might not be able to rely on the government to tell you what to do and when, we can do our part and remind you to have your new TV in place by February 2009 (the earlier the better) so that you don't miss a single episode of the the 11th season of 'America's Next Top Model.'

For more information regarding the switch from analog to digital television check out the following links:

From Reuters

Related links:

Tags: analog, digital, government, television, tv

Comments

FoxFeb 8th 2008 12:18PM

Neutral

@ Susannah The switch is being forced due to the spectrum analog takes up. Analog signals are affecting other signals near its spectrum (or since analog was first others are affecting it). In most areas analog reception is much worse then it was 10 or even 5 years ago. And to answer the who benefits question the government does because even after the coupons because they are now free to auction off the old analog spectrum to new companies for new technologies. Electronics companies also benefit since the new uses of the analog spectrum will allow them to create many new devices etc to make use of it (better wireless internet etc has been mentioned and seen as a competitor against cell phone companies 3G)
@ Ron The FCC isn't unconstitutional (at least in the digital switch) they are only saying HOW the content can be delivered which is their job, they are not saying what can be delivered etc by simpling forcing analog tv off the air. The digital switch was actually brought about in congress by leaders WE elected to make these decisions for us. The FCC is merely doing what they're told by the powers that be.

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yatleungMar 10th 2008 4:48PM

Neutral

Actually, it doesn't matter. Most of the TV programs are so trashy that I only turn on the TV once a week to watch PBS shows like Nature. Why bother with nice advanced hardware (TV sets) when the software (programs) are crappy.

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BenDec 14th 2007 12:54PM

Neutral

"the U.S. government is not prepared for..."

Wow! I'm astonished to see those words grouped together!

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RonJan 14th 2008 8:23PM

Neutral

This and any other FCC regulations are unconstitutional. The Constitution of this country GUARANTEES free speech and free press and the government here is mandating what private corporations and people are allowed to broadcast. They are making our expensive equipment useless and obselete and they have no right to do so. If a station wishes to broadcast only in digital, that is their business. It is not the business of the United States government.

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SusannahJan 15th 2008 11:14AM

Neutral

I don't exactly understand why the government is forcing this conversion from analog to digital in the first place - what's the benefit (or should I say who is benefitting?)

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