The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is encouraging local organizations to host public events focused on urging consumers who want converter boxes to apply for coupons.
Background
Big changes are coming to your television, but they have nothing to do with summer re-runs or the new fall season. These changes involve the transition to digital broadcasting on February 17, 2009. Congress ordered the change to all-digital broadcasting to free up channels for police, fire, and emergency personnel. According to the Federal Communications Commission, the agency that oversees the nation’s airwaves, the digital transition offers benefits beyond public safety: it will open the door to new wireless services for consumers, allow TV stations to offer better picture and sound quality, and enable TV stations to broadcast several programs at the same time.
For millions of Americans — those whose televisions are already hooked up to cable or satellite or those who have televisions with built-in digital tuners — the transition should be seamless. However, if you get your programming on an analog television through a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears,” you will have to take action to keep your TV sets working after the transition. You can:
- connect your analog TV to a converter box that will get digital reception;
- connect your analog TV to a paid service like cable or satellite; or
- buy a TV with a built-in digital tuner.
Through a program run by the NTIA, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, every household can get two coupons — each worth $40 — to help defray the cost of the converter boxes. Most of the boxes cost between $50 and $70; you can order the coupons online at www.dtv2009.gov or by phone at 1-888-DTV-2009. Government coupons for converter boxes are available on a “use it or lose it” basis for 90 days after they are mailed to you; if you don’t use your coupons within 90 days, you cannot get replacement coupons. You can apply one coupon toward the purchase of each converter box so you’ll need two coupons only if you need two converter boxes. It is illegal to sell the coupons, but you can give them to a family member or friend.
Grange Policy
2008 Blueprint for Rural America
Expand Telecommunications Services in Rural Areas
The National Grange supports providing educational and financial resources for a transition to digital television in 2009.
Action Needed
Consider spreading the word about the digital TV transition and Coupon Program. During the summer and fall, NTIA is encouraging organizations to host Coupon Application Events focused on providing times when consumers can come to a specific location and get assistance in applying online, via phone or completing a paper application. “Complete It. Connect It” is focused on urging consumers who want converter boxes to apply for coupons now.
If you decide to conduct a community service project of this nature, free event resources are available. You provide the location and encourage your members and community partners to attend the event. NTIA can assist with the following event resources at no cost to you:
- Speaker and/or individual to conduct a converter box demonstration
- Loaner converter box
- Connection to local certified retailers that may want to participate in the event
- Local media pitching to encourage journalists to promote and cover the event (event must be open to the public, with capacity for at least 100 attendees)
Ready to Host an Event ? NTIA encourages you to use the resources above to help your community take action and prepare for the digital TV transition. Please contact D’Neisha Simmons Jendayi at dneisha.simmonsjendayi@ketchum.com or 202-835-9473 if you would like NTIA’s help in facilitating an event in your community.
For More Information
About coupons and converter boxes: www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009 (TTY: 1-877-530-2634). About the transition to digital television: www.dtv.gov or call 1-888-CALL-FCC (TTY: 1-888-835-5322). About consumer protection in general: ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (TTY: 1-866-653-4261).
If you have any questions or comments regarding this Action Alert, please contact Molly Thompson at mthompson@nationalgrange.org or by calling 1-888-4GRANGE.
Thank you for your grassroots participation in the National Grange Legislative Program.
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