Senator Blanche Lincoln Introduces DTV Legislation
July 11, 2008 by admin
Filed under HDTV Tuners
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Good news for consumers, Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln has introduced legislation to make DTV converter boxes more affordable, as noted in this article by Robin Thibault at KARK 4 News:
“Nearly 20 million U.S. households, including 122,150 in Arkansas, do not subscribe to cable or satellite service. In order for these viewers to retain access to television signals, they will be forced to replace their older analog TV sets, subscribe to a paid service, or purchase a new converter box. Congress should do everything we can to make this transition as..."
Read the rest of the article to learn how Senator Lincoln will make the boxes more affordable.
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Lawmaker’s seek answers about DTV Coupon Program
July 11, 2008 by admin
Filed under The Big Switch
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The U.S. House Commerce Committee and it's telecommunications and Internet panel is asking the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to explain why they did not plan and budget for replacing consumer's expired DTV converter box coupons. The committee lead by Democratic Reps. John D. Dingell (Mich.), chairman of the House Commerce Committee, and Edward J. Markey, Chairman of the panel, have requested that the NTIA project how much it will cost to reissue unused coupons to those who request them. The House and the Senate have been concerned about the planning and progress of the nationwide switch to DTV broadcasting on February 17, 2009. The coupon program is operated by the NTIA, who contracted the administrative activities contracted to IBM.
As noted in an article by Kim Hart in the Washington Post :
About 60 percent of the coupons were not redeemed within 90 days, meaning those funds are to be used for additional coupons. But according to the letter sent to the NTIA, the current contract with IBM does not include administrative funds to process and mail additional coupons.
Many consumers have had difficulty locating coupon eligible converter boxes in local stores as retailers have struggled to keep up with demand. The NTIA has been investigating whether they can issue replacement coupons to those who were unable to use the coupons prior to their expiration, or if Congress will need to change the law that established the terms of the coupon program.
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