PLANNED SYSTEM OUTAGE FOR TV CONVERTER BOX COUPON PROGRAM
Saturday, Nov. 8, Midnight EST-7 a.m. EDT
Scheduled maintenance will be performed at www.ntiadtv.gov, and no interruption of services is expected. It is unlikely that Web site, IVR and E-Services coupon redemption services will be affected during the maintenance window. If you have any questions, contact the Retailer Support Center at 866-296-1107.
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TV Converter Box Coupon Program for Retailers
Consumers, apply for a Coupon here.
Retailer Education, Certification and Support
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Federal government agency in charge of administering the TV Converter Box Coupon Program at the direction of Congress. Between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, U.S. households can request up to two coupons while supplies last, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two coupon-eligible converter boxes (CECB).
What's New
NEW:
Energy Star Information
EPA's Energy Star information about Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes
Energy Star-Compliant CECBs
NEW: Apply, Buy and Try Fact Sheet
Consumer Guide to the TV Converter Box Coupon Program
NEW: Consumers Urged to Apply for Converter Box Coupons By Year-End
Consumers Should Plan for Six Weeks to "Apply, Buy and Try" to Make February Digital TV Transition
NEW: Analog Shut-off Test List
List of completed and upcoming analog shut-off tests in TV markets. Note: Information is provided by broadcasters and subject to change.
NEW: Press Release
Gutierrez Announces Nursing Homes Residents and P.O. Box Households Eligible to Receive Converter Box Coupons 09/16/2008
Retailer Resources
Program Statistics
Updated Weekly: Graphic look at coupon requests/status and available coupon funding.
Coupon Distribution & Redemption Statistics
Updated Weekly: Details on coupon requests and redemptions by state and zip code.
CECB List
NTIA-approved Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes (CECBs) that are currently available and those that are not yet available.
CECB Manufacturer Contacts for Retailers
Contact information so retailers can reach CECB manufacturers.
Participation Stats
Over-The-Air Household Participation Rates by Market, Rank
Coming Up
Jan. 15, 2009 - Hawaii full-power broadcasters make digital TV transition.
Feb. 17, 2009 - 100% digital broadcasting begins for all U.S. full-power TV stations.
March 31, 2009 - Last day to apply for $40 Program coupon (while supplies last).
July 9, 2009 - TV Converter Box Coupon Program officially ends.
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Read the latest Program newsletter!
November Newsletter Features
- 100-Day DTV Countdown Begins
Nov. 10
- Hawaii's Jan. 15 Transition
- Nov. FCC Tour Stops
- Handling Multiple Coupon Redemptions From Nursing Homes
- CCR Information Must Be Current
- Dates to Know
Past Issues:
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Retailer participation
To become a certified retailer for the
TV Converter Box Coupon Program, interested
retailers must comply with regulations described
in §301.6 of the Final Rule. Coupon Program Certification sign-up ended March 31, 2008.
Retailer obligations
Certified Retailers are required to redeem valid coupons toward the purchase of CECBs, and meet specific requirements.
Retailer Obligations: Certified Retailers are required to redeem valid coupons toward the purchase of CECBs, and
- Must have systems in place that are capable of electronically processing coupons for redemption and payment, tracking each and every transaction, and generating reports that are easily auditable.
- Must train employees on the purpose and operation of the Coupon Program. NTIA or its contractor will provide training material.
- Will not be responsible for checking consumer or household eligibility but shall report to NTIA suspicious patterns of customer behavior.
- Use commercially reasonable methods to order and manage inventory to meet customer demand for CECBs.
- Must provide transaction reports based on NTIA's requirements. Reports must be maintained by the retailer for at least one year. Business confidential and proprietary information shall not be disclosed to the public unless otherwise required by law.
Retailer certification
Retailers seeking to participate in the Coupon Program must apply for certification by contacting NTIA between June 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008.
- Retailers seeking to participate in the Coupon Program must apply for certification by contacting NTIA between June 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008.
- Retailers must complete the form provided by the Agency which requires the retailers to self certify that they:
- Have been engaged in the consumer electronics retail business for at least one year unless waived for good cause by NTIA. Good cause will be determined upon a showing by the retailer that participation would be in the best interest of the program. NTIA will issue a written determination as to whether a retailer has made a sufficient showing of good cause to waive this requirement;
- Have completed a Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov);
- Have in place systems or procedures that can be easily audited as well as systems that can provide adequate data to minimize fraud and abuse in retail redemption and government payment for coupons;
- Agree to have coupon box sales audited at any time during the term of participation in the coupon program by the U.S. Government or an independent auditor at no expense to the retailer;
- Will provide NTIA electronically with redemption information and payment receipts related to coupons used in the purchase of converter boxes, specifically tracking each serialized coupon by number with a corresponding CECB purchase; and
- Agree only to accept coupons for, and receive payment resulting from authorized purchases made for CECBs.
- Retailer Certification may be revoked by NTIA if a Certified Retailer fails to comply with these regulations, with the terms of any agreement made between the Certified Retailer and NTIA, or for other actions inconsistent with the Coupon Program.
- NTIA will not revoke retailer certification for unintentional non-compliance or error.
- Retailers may contact NTIA for late application or dispute resolution for problems such as denial or revocation of certification. Such issues will be resolved on a case-by-case basis.
Coupon Processing
NTIA will pay retailers for valid coupon redemptions on a commercially reasonable basis.
Scheduled Downtime
We regularly update Web services for the NTIA TV Converter Box Coupon Program. While these updates are performed, some content on this site may be unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. A notice will appear on the main page of this Web site should any services become unavailable.
Infrastructure Maintenance: Saturday nights 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
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