The converter boxes are necessary for consumers who wish to continue receiving broadcast programming over the air using analog-only televisions after February 18, - - the date that full-power televisions stations are required to cease analog broadcasting. Without converter boxes, consumers with analog-only television sets will be unable to view full-power television broadcasts unless they purchase digital television sets or subscribe to cable or satellite service.
EDT, no later than September 25, Comments may also be sent by facsimile to Electronic comments may be submitted to coupon ntia. Recognizing that consumers may wish to continue receiving broadcast programming over the air using analog-only televisions not connected to cable or satellite service, the Act authorizes NTIA to create a digital-to-analog converter box assistance program. Specifically, Section of the Act authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information to "implement and administer a program through which households in the United States may obtain coupons that can be applied toward the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes.
Section of the Act amends the Communications Act of to direct the FCC to terminate analog television licenses for full power stations and to require all full-power Class A television stations in the digital television service to broadcast in the radio spectrum between 54 and MHz, by February 18, Section of the Act directs the FCC to begin an auction of returned analog television spectrum no later than January 28, and to deposit auction proceeds into a fund established by the Act no later than June 30, The returned analog television spectrum to be auctioned is the band between and MHz, except for the 24 megahertz that has been reserved for public safety uses and certain other frequencies that have already been made available through auction.
It directs the receipts from the FCC's analog spectrum return auction to be deposited into the Fund. The Act defines the term "converter box" to mean a stand-alone device used solely for digital-to-analog conversion. NTIA, however, must reimburse the Treasury for this amount, without interest, as recovered analog television spectrum auction proceeds are deposited into the Fund.
NTIA recognizes that there will be a number of solutions, including market based solutions, to address potential disruption of television service resulting from the analog to digital transition. Many consumers will neither need nor want a coupon to purchase a converter box. For example, many households that are now receiving over-the-air analog television signals will have purchased digital receivers by the time that analog broadcasting ends. We also assume that many households that currently receive over-the-air television transmissions will begin receiving digital service through one of the multichannel video programming distributors, such as cable or satellite service.
Therefore, we consider this coupon program to represent one of a number of solutions to accommodate consumers once analog broadcasting ends. NTIA proposes that a "television household" is a "household" with at least one television.
A "household" consists of all persons who currently occupy a house, apartment, mobile home, group of rooms, or single room that is occupied as separate living quarters and has a separate U. The Act and its legislative history indicate that the coupon program is not intended to cover every television in every household in the United States. The legislative history provides that the coupon program is intended to help consumers who wish to continue receiving broadcast programming over-the-air using analog only televisions not connected to cable or satellite.
In other words, households that receive cable or satellite television service would not be eligible even if they have one or more analog-only television receivers not connected to such service. We invite comment on any other eligibility factors that NTIA should consider. For example, should NTIA consider economic need in the eligibility requirements for coupons?
If so, how should "economic need" be determined? Should we propose a rule to make coupons available only to households with an income based on a poverty threshold? Census Bureau's poverty threshold for a family of four? We note that neither the Committee of Conference's Joint Explanatory Statement the Manager's report includes such a requirement regarding economic need or other factors that might be related to a household's eligibility to receive coupons.
Depending on the demand for the coupons, it is possible that the number of requests for coupons may exceed the total dollar amount provided by the Act. Are there other factors NTIA should consider in distributing coupons if the number of requests exceeds the number of coupons available? On the other hand, if the demand for coupons is low, should NTIA consider expanding its eligibility requirements?
To keep track of the number of coupons issued, used and redeemed, as well as to minimize fraud and counterfeiting, NTIA intends to place identifying serial numbers on the coupons. NTIA invites comment on this proposal and other fraud prevention methods that are available or are currently being used. For example, instead of a paper coupon, should NTIA consider using an electronic coupon card?
The Act also states that the "[t]wo coupons may not be used in combination, toward the purchase of a single digital-to-analog converter box. To prevent fraud, NTIA proposes to prohibit a coupon holder from returning a converter box to a retailer for a cash refund or for credit towards the purchase of another item. NTIA proposes to permit the even exchange for another certified converter box in the event of defective or malfunctioning equipment.
NTIA also proposes similar restrictions on participating retailers elsewhere in the rules. NTIA invites comment on these proposed rules. The Act states that a household may obtain coupons by making a request between January 1, and March 31, As part of the application process, NTIA proposes to require applicants to submit the following: 1 name; 2 address; 3 the number of coupons that they require; 4 a certification that they only receive over-the-air television signals using an analog-only NTSC television receiver; and 5 a certification that no other member of the household has or will apply for a coupon.
The Act limits coupon distribution to two coupons per household and requires the Assistant Secretary of Communications and Information to ensure that the requesting households receive the coupons via the United States Postal Service. As part of the certification process, the applicant household must request the specific number of coupons that it requires, not to exceed two. An applicant household requesting more than one coupon must certify that it has more than one analog-only NTSC television receiver.
If an applicant fails to specify the number of coupons that they require, that applicant will only receive one coupon. Once certified, the requested coupon s will be sent via the United States mail. Regardless of the manner or the type information being collected as part of the application process, NTIA intends to protect all such information consistent with applicable law including, but not limited to, the Privacy Act of NTIA intends to make application forms widely available.
NTIA intends to allow potential applicants to request forms through the mail, via telephone, and over the Internet. NTIA places the highest priority on designing an application system that prevents waste, fraud, and abuse. As such, NTIA intends to utilize a computer based application system which prevents duplicate requests for coupons and other potential abuses of the program by households. NTIA seeks comment on ways to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the application process.
The legislative history of the Act expresses an expectation that NTIA will use electronic media and networks to make aspects of the program more efficient. We invite comment on our proposal to permit consumers to submit electronic applications. The Act states that all coupons will expire three months after issuance. NTIA proposes to print an expiration date on each coupon. NTIA also proposes that the expiration date will be three months after the coupon's issuance date, which would be the date upon which the coupon is placed in the U.
Consumers will not be able to redeem a coupon to purchase a converter box after the expiration date printed on a coupon and retailers will not be able to accept coupons for converter box purchases after their expiration date. NTIA believes that an expiration date will encourage consumers to obtain the necessary converter boxes in a timely manner. Moreover, a specified expiration date will reduce opportunities for waste, fraud, and abuse and provide greater efficiency and certainty in administering the program.
We seek comment on this proposed rule and also on whether other options for addressing the expiration requirement are available. For example, should NTIA define the issuance date to be the date upon which a consumer receives a coupon? If so, how would NTIA calculate the expiration date of a coupon? Or should NTIA assume that the average delivery of a first class letter is two to three days and thus define the issuance date to be three days after the coupon is placed in the U. The Act defines the term "digital-to-analog converter box" converter box as "a stand-alone device that does not contain features or functions except those necessary to enable a consumer to convert any channel broadcast in the digital television service into a format that the consumer can display on television receivers designed to receive and display signals only in the analog television service, but may also include a remote control device.
Ideally, a converter box should be able to receive digital broadcast signals in the same receiving configuration e. We note, however, recent GAO congressional testimony indicating that antenna reception of digital signals may vary based on a household's geography and other factors.
The digital converter box should be able to receive, render and display usable pictures and sound from high definition as well as standard definition broadcast; however, the converter box would not be required to render pictures and sound at more than standard definition quality.
Specifically, NTIA proposes the following characteristics in certifying a converter box:. The only input of the converter box shall be for an external antenna. The single input Type F connector ensures that only an antenna can be connected to eligible boxes thus ensuring use of such boxes as for over-the-air television reception only. The channel 3 or 4 analog output Type F connector ensures that older style NTSC analog television receivers can be connected to eligible boxes.
The composite video and stereo audio all three RCA connectors ensures that other NTSC analog television monitors can also connect to the boxes. We seek comment on these characteristics that we propose to use to certify converter boxes and on other characteristics we should consider as well. NTIA proposes to require manufacturers to self-certify that the converter boxes meet the standards outlined in the rules. NTIA reserves the right to test the converter boxes that have been self-certified by the manufacturer to ensure that they meet those standards.
For purposes of this program, we interpret the Act's definition to mean that a digital-to-analog converter box is not a digital cable television box. Therefore, we do not propose to accept self-certifications for a digital cable television box. We also do not intend to accept certifications for converter boxes that have features beyond those necessary to convert an ATSC digital signal to an analog NTSC format. We invite comment on the appropriate minimum technical capabilities for converter boxes.
We also seek comment on the extent we should consider certain standards, such as energy standards, in determining the type of converter box that would be eligible for this program.
Finally, NTIA is seeking comments on how the converter boxes eligible for participation in the coupon program should be identified for the consumer. Should NTIA print a list of approved converter boxes on the coupons or on information sent with the coupons? Should it be left to the retailer to inform consumers which converter boxes are eligible for the coupon through the retailers advertising or at placards at point of sale?
Participation by retailers in this program is voluntary. Retailers that choose to participate will not be compensated by NTIA.
We propose to permit consumers to redeem coupons at retailers that have established production and distribution channels and who have demonstrated that they can redeem coupons expeditiously and efficiently.
We note that retailers are also typically familiar with coupon programs and have systems in place to process coupons. We are also interested in retailers that can handle converter box purchases with the coupons via mail, phone or the Internet-based sales. We propose to institute a process for retailers through which they must certify, under penalty of law, that they: 1 provide information to customers about the necessity for and the installation of a converter box; 2 have in place systems that can be easily audited as well as systems that have the ability to prevent fraud and abuse in the coupon program; 3 are willing to be audited at any time during the course of the coupon program; 4 have the ability to electronically provide NTIA with sales information related to coupons used in the purchase of converter boxes, specifically tracking each serialized coupon by number with a corresponding certified converter box purchase; and 5 will only submit coupons for redemption as a result of purchases made for converter boxes certified by NTIA.
NTIA also proposes to require retailers to adhere to and enforce coupon restrictions contained in the Act such as prohibiting coupon holders from using two coupons in combination towards the purchase of a single digital-to-analog converter box. We will require retailers to prohibit consumers from using coupons to purchase any device other than a converter box certified pursuant to this rulemaking. Moreover, we expect retailers to have in place a system that prevents consumers from returning a converter box to the retailer for a cash refund or for credit towards the purchase of another item.
In other words, a coupon holder is limited to an even exchange of one certified converter box for another. NTIA proposes to require retailers to submit coupons or coupon information to NTIA for redemption within 30 days after the coupon has been used to purchase a converter box. NTIA also proposes to require retailers to retain hard copies of sales information related to converter boxes purchased with coupons for one year. We seek comment on ways to prevent waste, fraud and abuse in the process by which retailers accept and process coupons.
As part of the certification process, NTIA intends to inform retailers of the coupon program's details and their rights and obligations, including their obligations to honor all valid coupons that are tendered in the authorized manner. NTIA proposes to reimburse retailers within 60 days after receiving sales information related to converter boxes purchased with coupons. NTIA also proposes to review and resolve any allegation by the retailer that it was improperly denied reimbursement for a valid coupon properly tendered and accepted pursuant to the rules.
We request comment on our proposed rule with respect to the self-certification process and other rights and responsibilities identified for retailers. NTIA places the highest priority on creating a coupon redemption process that prevents waste, fraud and abuse, while minimizing the burden on participating retailers and consumers. Therefore, we also seek comment on the various ways to prevent waste, fraud and abuse in the coupon redemption process.
In addition to the proposed rules above, we also solicit comment on other issues related to the coupon program that are not a part of the rulemaking process. For example, we solicit views on the most effective means to provide consumer education about this program. According to the FCC website, a wide range of broadcasters, equipment manufacturers, retailers, consumer groups and others have begun to produce and provide information concerning the digital transition.
In order to maximize consumer education efforts, NTIA may seek proposals to produce commonly used on-air announcements, print and online promotional materials as well as other media or services that can be used to convey clear, consistent, frequent and widely disseminated information concerning the existence of the digital-to-analog converter box program and the actions that households must take to obtain coupons and converters.
Examples include advertising campaigns, public service announcements, print articles, web sites, and posters for public display. Any public information campaign undertaken by NTIA will only be successful if other stakeholders in the digital-to-analog converter box program contribute significant effort to the production and distribution of this information.
We seek comment on ways to provide consumer information to those households most likely to rely solely on over-the-air broadcasts in analog format. We note that there are differences in the estimated number of households that rely exclusively on over-the-air broadcasts.
For example, as noted above, the legislative history indicates that Thus, any information as to ways to target consumer outreach to those households eligible for coupons under this program would be helpful. The Managers' Report provides that NTIA may use the efficiencies of electronic media and networks for outreach efforts.
We solicit comment on the best ways to utilize the Internet and other forms of electronic media to disseminate consumer information on the various aspects of the program. Again, we seek information regarding ways primarily to target those specific households that only receive over-the-air television broadcast signals. NTIA requests written comments from interested parties on the proposed rule as stated above as well any other aspects of the Act related to the digital-to-analog converter box program.
NTIA is especially interested in receiving written comments from persons with particular knowledge of the legal, economic and technical elements related to such a program. Any information submitted to NTIA, however, should not contain confidential, proprietary or business sensitive data.
This proposed rule has been determined to be economically significant for purposes of Executive Order ; and therefore, has been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget OMB. In accordance with Executive Order , an Economic Analysis was completed, outlining the costs and benefits of implementing this program.
The complete analysis is available from NTIA upon request. NTIA has determined that the rule meets the applicable standards provided in section 3 of the Executive Order, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden. This rule has been determined to be major under the Congressional Review Act, 5 U. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U. Written public comments are requested on the IRFA. These comments must be filed in accordance with the same filing deadlines a comments filed in response to this Notice and must have a separate and distinct heading designating them as responses to the IRFA.
This document contains proposed information collection requirements. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 44 U.
To successfully administer this program, NTIA requests approval on three collection requirements and record keeping and reporting requirements for: 1 the application that households must submit to receive coupons; 2 the certification form for retailers that will sell the converter boxes and submit coupons for redemption; and 3 the certification form and record keeping and reporting requirements for manufacturers regarding converter boxes eligible for the coupon program.
Comments on the information collection and recordkeeping requirements in this proposed rule must be received by [ insert 60 days after publication in the Federal Register ]. Comments are invited on a whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; b the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; c ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected; and d ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments on the information collection and recordkeeping requirements in this proposed rule may be sent to Milton Brown, Office of the Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Constitution Avenue, Room , Washington, DC Estimate of Burden : Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average.
Respondents : U. Estimate of Burden : Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1. Respondents : Retailers that accept coupons for digital-to-analog converter boxes and submit them to NTIA for redemption. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated at 1 hour per respondent. The inability of some boxes to add new digital channels without a full re-scan—deleting all existing channel settings—renders them unusable to viewers who rely on directional antennas and rotors to receive distant stations.
Signal strength meters, where available, are awkward, typically only displaying information for channels that have already been found.
Where the converter fails to receive a channel, an often-cumbersome manual process is usually provided; however, this requires knowledge of which frequencies each missing station is actually transmitting on, rather than the virtual channels each is mapped to by the ATSC protocol.
Manufacturers responded by releasing a new generation of models with the feature. Some new DVD recorders and personal video recorders also provide both analog and digital tuners, and therefore could perform the basic functions of a set-top box in both modes.
In early May , the D. The association said it would continue to pressure the FCC to support analog functionality as a requirement of the All-Channel Receiver Act , urge more government funding for low power and Class A broadcasters to transition to digital, and ask Congress to increase the number of such stations eligible for funds. On August 13, , the CBA announced that it would cease operations. One reason given was the cost required to fight "restrictive regulations that kept the Class A and LPTV industry from realizing its potential", including the campaign to require analog passthrough.
Amy Brown, former CBA executive director, said "some 40 percent of Class A and LPTV station operators believe they will have to shut down in the next year if they are not helped through the digital transition.
The September deadline is to allow for possible new construction to accommodate digital equipment. As a result, the NTIA started placing requests for coupons on a waiting list, issuing coupons as previously-issued but unredeemed coupons reached their expiration date. In December , FCC commissioner McDowell urged "those who don't need the government subsidy not to wait on that process before purchasing a converter box for themselves or as a gift for someone else.
During the weeks it takes for the government to process coupon requests, you will lose precious time to hook up the box, check antenna connections, and start enjoying free digital broadcast TV right away.
Nielsen Media Research estimated in August that 25 percent of affected viewers would opt for inexpensive converters instead of replacing existing televisions or switching to cable and satellite television subscriptions. Many retailers had stocked converters based on coupon use and shortages of the converter boxes themselves remained possible. Legislators from the American southwest were among those supporting a delay in the digital cutover, citing safety concerns because as many as a quarter of households in television markets there had not prepared to receive digital signals by January A judge from Hildago County, Texas noted that Latino, low-income, elderly, and rural homes were at risk.
The NTIA was legally required to issue coupons on a first-come, first-served basis; viewers in markets where individual stations ended analog broadcasts by the original deadline did not receive priority handling of their DTV coupon requests. On March 24, , the NTIA announced that the four-million-person waiting-list backlog had been cleared, meaning those whose coupons had expired could reapply. The NTIA estimated 17 million coupons had expired, while The analog shutdown for full-power TV stations was completed in mid, with several stations ending analog transmissions well before the June 12, deadline.
Many transitioned on the original February 17 date. In most cases, at least one station in each media market continued analog broadcasts for up to 30 days afterward as an " analog nightlight "—prohibited from broadcasting regular programming, but allowed to transmit information on how to obtain and connect a converter box to receive digital programming and send Emergency Alert System broadcasts.
This allowed viewers who had not converted by the deadline to receive at least one channel that would explain the absence of the other analog channels. The half-hour public service announcement with English and Spanish segments seen on most such stations was produced by the National Association of Broadcasters.
Nielsen said 2. By August 5, , consumers had used 33,, coupons. The NTIA said 4,, coupons had been requested but not redeemed. Digital television DTV is the transmission of television audiovisual signals using digital encoding, in contrast to the earlier analog television technology which used analog signals.
At the time of its development it was considered an innovative advancement and represented the first significant evolution in television technology since color television in the s.
It typically uses a widescreen aspect ratio in contrast to the narrower format of analog TV. It makes more economical use of scarce radio spectrum space; it can transmit up to seven channels in the same bandwidth as a single analog channel, and provides many new features that analog television cannot.
A transition from analog to digital broadcasting began around Different digital television broadcasting standards have been adopted in different parts of the world; below are the more widely used standards:. A set-top box STB , also colloquially known as a cable box or a television decoder , is an information appliance device that generally contains a TV-tuner input and displays output to a television set and an external source of signal, turning the source signal into content in a form that can then be displayed on the television screen or other display device.
They are used in cable television, satellite television, and over-the-air television systems as well as other uses. A computer that connects to your television allows you to use a telephone line or cable connection for you to browse the Internet and exchange electronic mail on your television. The FM broadcast band is a range of radio frequencies used for FM broadcasting by radio stations.
The range of frequencies used differs between different parts of the world. In Europe and Africa and in Australia, it spans from Some other countries have already discontinued the OIRT band and have changed to the This was a problem at the time since most affiliated stations of the Big Three television networks were well-established on VHF, while many local-only stations on UHF were struggling for survival.
The station is owned by Gray Television. A digital channel election was the process by which television stations in the United States chose which physical radio-frequency TV channel they would permanently use after the analog shutdown in The process was managed and mandated by the Federal Communications Commission for all full-power TV stations. Low-powered television LPTV stations are going through a somewhat different process, and are also allowed to flash-cut to digital.
A digital television adapter DTA , commonly known as a converter box or decoder box , is a television tuner that receives a digital television DTV transmission, and converts the digital signal into an analog signal that can be received and displayed on an analog television set. The input digital signal may be over-the-air terrestrial television signals received by a television antenna, or signals from a digital cable system. This act deals with the cessation of the broadcasting of analog television and the subsequent implementation of digital television.
This transition took place on June 12, , which had been scheduled for February 17, In the United States, digital television broadcasts, or DTV, can be received via cable, via internet, via satellite, or via digital terrestrial television — much like analog television broadcasts have been.
Full-power analog television broadcasts, however, were required by U. Low-power, Class A, and TV Translator stations are not currently required to cease analog broadcasts. Also by law, digital broadcasts — when transmitted as over-the-air signals — must conform to ATSC standards. The basic concept is that the smart antenna either physically rotates toward the signal, or is stationary, but has elements pointed in different directions and uses only those elements that maximize the received signal.
This is accomplished by feedback from the control device, such as a digital-to-analog converter box, telling the smart antenna when the signal is stronger or weaker. Analog passthrough is a feature found on some digital-to-analog television converter boxes.
Boxes without analog passthrough only allow digital TV to be viewed on older, analog-only TVs. Those with analog passthrough allow both digital and analog television to be viewed on older TVs. The digital transition in the United States is the switchover from analog to exclusively digital broadcasting of terrestrial television programming.
According to David Rehr, then president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, this transition represented "the most significant advancement of television technology since color TV was introduced. It ceased operations in It is also commonly known as the " DTV nightlight bill " or " analog nightlight ", referring to a small nightlight that is left on after all of the other lights are out.
The spectrum auction and subsequent reallocations were authorized by Title VI of the payroll tax cut extension passed by the United States Congress on February 17, US DTV conversion program. Retrieved August 12, United States Government Accountability Office. September 16, Retrieved June 26, Archived from the original PDF on July 28, Television Week.
USA Today. Retrieved August 6, March 26, Archived from the original on April 6, United States Department of Commerce. Archived from the original on June 3, Retrieved September 10, December 22, The New York Times.
New York. NBC News. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. The Washington Post. Retrieved January 6, Crain Communications. Archived from the original on March 8, Please stand by". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 18, Washington, DC. Archived from the original on May 27, Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original on December 5, San Jose, CA.
Archived from the original on June 26, Archived from the original on September 17, CNET Reviews. CBS Interactive. Beaumont Enterprise. Beaumont, TX: Hearst Newspapers. Although Burlington, Iowa-based Winegard produces a battery-powered digital converter box, some viewers might find that the tiny antennas attached to portable televisions and the rabbit-ears in their living room aren't sufficient to pick up a digital signal.
National Association of Broadcasters. THAT Corporation. Archived from the original on October 15, Retrieved August 20, Broadcast Engineering.
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