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| October 9th, 2008 |
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Media Contact(s): Mark Eddington, 202-224-5251 |
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Printable Version |
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HATCH WANTS FCC TO TAKE STEPS NOW TO AVOID DTV 'CLIFF EFFECT'
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch is asking federal authorities to act now to avoid the “digital cliff effect” that could leave viewers in rural Utah and across the U.S. in the dark when the nation switches from analog to digital television in February.
In an Oct. 9, 2008, letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin, Hatch (R-Utah) said the government must do “everything within our power to ensure a seamless transition to digital television” on Feb. 17, 2009.
“I’ve held a series of seminars across Utah to help consumers who rely on free analog signals know exactly what they need to do to receive government coupons to get the converter boxes they need to be able to watch TV,” Hatch said, explaining why he wrote to Martin. “But I’m now hearing there is a ‘digital cliff’ effect that could require viewers in rural or mountainous regions to take further action to continue getting a TV picture after the switch is made.”
The “digital cliff effect” is the term Martin used in his recent testimony before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Unlike analog broadcasters, where a weak signal means an incredibly weak picture, when a digital signal gets weak enough, there is no picture at all, or viewers might find they are unable to receive one or more channels.
Hatch said this means thousands of Utahns who purchase a digital television or install a converter box to use their old analog TV set might still find themselves without service when the nation switches to digital television. They would need to upgrade their indoor or outdoor antenna or subscribe to satellite or cable.
“Frankly, that is unacceptable,” Hatch said. “The last thing we need in February is for Americans to be on treacherous, icy roofs in inclement weather, trying to install a new and more costly antenna.”
Hatch is asking the FCC the following:
• What has the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration done to educate consumers about the potential digital cliff effect?
• What will happen to viewers who purchase a new television or converter box and still cannot receive reception because of the digital cliff?
• Are there plans to assist people affected by the digital cliff, especially those who have acted in good faith by ordering a converter box or purchased a new TV, but who find themselves unable to receive free, over-the-air television?
Hatch noted that tens of thousands of homes in Utah rely on free analog TV signals. That is why the senator said it is important to act now to prevent problems rather than wait to address them after the transition takes place.
“While there is still time remaining for the FCC or Congress to act, I would encourage you to come forward with rulings or legislative proposals you believe are necessary to address the digital cliff phenomenon,” Hatch told Martin in the letter. “Minimizing the impact of the digital transition to consumers is a duty we owe to those we serve.”
Hatch and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) are sponsors of S. Res. 576, a resolution that designated August 2008 as Digital Television Transition Awareness Month. To better prepare Utahns for the switch to digital TV, Hatch had his staff join with National Association of Broadcasters officials to hold information seminars throughout the state.
Thus far, about 102,273 of the 234,788 coupons Utahns have requested to get converter boxes have been redeemed.
“That, along with the digital cliff effect, shows we still have a lot of work to do,” Hatch said.
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