United States Senate Committee on
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Press Releases
For Immediate Release
07/26/07
Contact: Jenilee Keefe w/Inouye 202-224-7824
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Senator Inouye: We Need to Get the DTV Transition Right
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) made the following statement at a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Preparing Consumers for the Digital Television Transition.
 
“Between 15 and 21 million households rely exclusively on over-the-air television.  Many more have second and third over-the-air sets in their homes.  In February 2009, these Americans could see their televisions go dark, disconnecting them from news, public safety announcements, and their community unless they get a converter box and attach it to their television.
 
“Yet far too few of these consumers know that the transition from current analog television technology to digital television, or DTV, is underway. 
An article in last month’s National Journal stated that only 10 percent of our citizens know that the DTV transition is slated for 2009.  Many stakeholders in industry, in government, and in our communities are engaged in well-intended efforts to publicize and promote the upcoming transition.  To date, however, their efforts have yielded too few results. 
 
“We need to get the digital transition right.  Consumers stand to benefit mightily from the DTV transition. 
 
“They can expect sharper pictures, served up with CD-quality sound, that provide a dramatically improved viewing experience.  DTV also makes possible multicasting.  This could mean whole new channels devoted to local news, weather, children’s fare, and non-English language programming. 
 
“Along with these improvements, public safety will receive unbroken slices of our airways to enable interoperable communications and improved information sharing.
 
“Managing the transition is by no means easy.  We are now nearly 18 months away.  We have seen working groups, conferences, tip sheets, and a converter box coupon plan.  What we do not have yet is a public that is aware that the digital transition is taking place.
 
“The time to act is now—before the digital transition devolves into digital disaster.  We must work together to ensure that no citizen is left behind in the transition to digital television.”   
 
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July 2007 Press Releases  « June | August »   « 2006 | 2008 » 
 
31st -  Statement of Senator Inouye on Revised FCC 700 MHz Band Plan
 
27th -  Senator Stevens Applauds FCC Commitment to Rate Integration
 
27th -  Senate Commerce Committee to Explore Telemarketing Practices, CROA
 
27th -  Senate Approves 9/11 Commission Recommendations Bill
 
27th -  Congress Passes 9/11 Bill Conference Report with Commerce Provisions
 
27th -  Senate Commerce Committee Announces August 2 Markup Agenda
 
26th -  Stevens and Inouye Introduce Coast Guard Authorization
 
26th -  Inouye Cosponsors Coast Guard Authorization
 
26th -  Stevens Says DTV Transition Must Not be Delayed
 
26th -  current Press Release
 
25th -  Witness Panel Announced for Hearing on Rail Safety Improvements
 
25th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for DTV Transition Hearing
 
24th -  Commerce Dept. Secretary Gutierrez to Testify Before Senate Panel
 
24th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witness List for U.S.-China Trade Relations Hearing
 
24th -  Inouye Calls for Multi-Layered Strategy to Protect Children from Online Predators, Adult Content
 
24th -  Statement by Senator Stevens -- Protecting Children on the Internet Hearing
 
23rd -  Stevens Cosponsors Bill to Make Broadband Access More Affordable
 
20th -  Witness Panel Announced for Protecting Children on the Internet Hearing
 
19th -  Commerce Committee Approves Inouye Broadband Data Collection Bill
 
19th -  Hydrographic Data Bill Approved by Commerce Committee
 
19th -  Pool and Spa Safety Act Passes Commerce Committee
 
19th -  Inouye and Stevens Bill to Improve Hydrographic Data Passes Commerce Committee
 
19th -  Committee Passes Indecency Legislation Cosponsored by Stevens
 
19th -  Committee Approves Stevens/Inouye Bill to Expand Number Portability Rules
 
19th -  Statement by Senator Stevens on Commerce Committee Executive Session
 
18th -  Stevens Applauds Grant Program to Improve Interoperable Public Safety Communications
 
18th -  Senator Stevens Introduces Bill to Improve ATV Safety
 
17th -  Senator Stevens Calls for Continued Funding for Essential Air Service
 
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11th -  DOT Deputy Secretary, NASA CFO, Asst. Secretary of Commerce Nominees to Testify Before Commerce Committee
 
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Public Information Office: 508 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg • Washington, DC 20510-6125
Tel: 202-224-5115
Hearing Room: 253 Russell Senate Office Bldg • Washington, DC 20510-6125
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