Obama calls for digital TV conversion delay
In anticipation of the upcoming switch from analog to digital over-the-air transmissions, President-elect Barack Obama is asking Congress to delay the conversion date in order to give more Americans time to prepare.
Some government officials and consumer groups are worried certain communities may still be unaware of the switch set for Feb. 17.
"The changeover has been public for over a year now and we've made tremendous strides in increasing public awareness, but there are many communities -- communities of color, the elderly, rural communities and people with disabilities -- who may not be completely aware of the change and what they need to do," said Wade Henderson, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, in a conference on Tuesday.
Some government officials and consumer groups are worried certain communities may still be unaware of the switch set for Feb. 17.
"The changeover has been public for over a year now and we've made tremendous strides in increasing public awareness, but there are many communities -- communities of color, the elderly, rural communities and people with disabilities -- who may not be completely aware of the change and what they need to do," said Wade Henderson, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, in a conference on Tuesday.
Households in the United States became eligible to request two $40
coupons through the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration's TV converter box coupon program as of Jan. 1.
Congress set a $1.34 billion funding limit for that program in 2005, which has since gone dry -- creating more concern over American consumers who have yet to purchase a box.
"We know the leaders on (Capitol Hill) are working hard to find additional funding to minimize the problem this transition might present and make sure particular vulnerable communities aren't left in the dark," Henderson said. "Retailers have a responsibility as well. Digital transition is not the occasion to make a profit to take advantage of consumers whose lack of knowledge make them vulnerable to sale tactics."
People who have not yet signed up for a coupon will be placed on a waiting list with potentially millions of other consumers.
"Folks have been asking since fall whether or not sufficient funds are available and part of the challenge NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) is facing, not to excuse what is going on, is we have roughly 40 percent of people who are actually redeeming the coupons they are applying for," said Mark Lloyd, vice president for strategic initiatives at the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. "When those coupons expire that money goes back into the NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) pot and those people on the waiting list will be the first to get coupons mailed out to them."
About 6 million to 7 million people who rely on over-the-air television still have not applied for a coupon, Lloyd said.
Consumers who do not need to purchase a converter box are being urged to donate their coupons to those who do need to purchase a box.
sandra.emerson@inlandnewspapers.com
Congress set a $1.34 billion funding limit for that program in 2005, which has since gone dry -- creating more concern over American consumers who have yet to purchase a box.
"We know the leaders on (Capitol Hill) are working hard to find additional funding to minimize the problem this transition might present and make sure particular vulnerable communities aren't left in the dark," Henderson said. "Retailers have a responsibility as well. Digital transition is not the occasion to make a profit to take advantage of consumers whose lack of knowledge make them vulnerable to sale tactics."
People who have not yet signed up for a coupon will be placed on a waiting list with potentially millions of other consumers.
"Folks have been asking since fall whether or not sufficient funds are available and part of the challenge NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) is facing, not to excuse what is going on, is we have roughly 40 percent of people who are actually redeeming the coupons they are applying for," said Mark Lloyd, vice president for strategic initiatives at the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. "When those coupons expire that money goes back into the NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) pot and those people on the waiting list will be the first to get coupons mailed out to them."
About 6 million to 7 million people who rely on over-the-air television still have not applied for a coupon, Lloyd said.
Consumers who do not need to purchase a converter box are being urged to donate their coupons to those who do need to purchase a box.
sandra.emerson@inlandnewspapers.com
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