What's New at NTIA

Public Notice: Meeting on Low-power Television and Translator Upgrade Program: NTIA will hold public meetings regarding the implementation of the Low-power Television Upgrade Program, established by Section 3009 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. The meetings will be held in Washington D.C. on October 24, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 28, 2008, at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
• Audio recording of meeting in Washington, D.C., on October 24, 2008 (length: 01:18:35, format: .MP3 file, size: 46 Mb)
• LPTV Meeting Presentation. (Acrobat PDF 2,551 Kb)
Updated 10-30-2008

Press Release: NTIA Seeks Public Comments for the Deployment of Security Technology Within the Internet Domain Name System: NTIA is inviting comments regarding Domain Name and Addressing System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) implementation at the root zone. Comments are due on November 24, 2008.
• Press Release: Print version (Acrobat PDF 24 Kb)
• Federal Register: Notice of Inquiry (Acrobat PDF 69 Kb)
Posted 10-09-2008

French-EU Presidency Conference: Internet of Things - Internet of the Future: Acting Assistant Secretary Meredith Attwell Baker presented the Plenary Session Keynote Speech on the overview on the Challenges of International Cooperation at the French-EU Presidency Conference: Internet of Things - Internet of the Future on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, in Nice, France.
Posted 10-08-2008

Press Release: Proposed Rulemaking for ENHANCE 9-1-1 Act Grants: The Transportation Department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the NTIA today announced a proposal to make available more than $40 million in grants to help states and territories improve their 9-1-1 call centers. The grants were authorized by the ENHANCE 9-1-1 Act.)
• Press Release: Print version (Acrobat PDF 23 Kb)
• Federal Register: Proposed Rulemaking (Acrobat PDF 469 Kb)
Posted 10-03-2008

Press Release: Consumers Urged to Apply for Converter Box Coupons By Year-End: NTIA announced today that “over-the-air” television viewers who want to participate in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program should apply for coupons before the end of the year to minimize the chances of losing TV reception when full-power broadcasters end analog broadcasts on February 17, 2009. (Print version Acrobat PDF 25 KB)
Posted 09-30-2008

Speech: Maximum Service Television Conference: Acting Assistant Secretary Meredith Attwell Baker provides an update on the TV Converter Box Coupon Program at the Maximum Service Television (MSTV) 22nd Annual Fall Television Conference on Monday, September 22, 2008, in Washington, DC.
Posted 09-24-2008

Congressional Affairs: Senate Hearing on the Digital Television Transition: Testimony of Meredith Attwell Baker, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, and Acting NTIA Administrator before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, on “Oversight of the DTV Transition – Countdown to February 2009” on September 23, 2008. (Printable version Acrobat PDF 73 Kb.)
Posted 09-23-2008

Press Release: Nursing Homes Residents and P.O. Box Households Now Eligible to Receive DTV Coupons: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez announced today that residents of licensed nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, assisted living facilities and households that use a post office box for mail delivery will be eligible to request coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. The rule change takes effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Posted 09-16-2008

Testimony: Hearing on the Digital Television Transition: Testimony of Meredith A. Baker, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and Acting Administrator, before the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Committee on Energy and Commerce, U.S. House of Representative, regarding "Status of the DTV Transition" on September 16, 2008 (Print version Acrobat PDF 72 Kb)<
• Written Testimony
• Written Testimony Appendix (Acrobat PDF 36 Kb)
• Oral Testimony
Posted 09-16-2008

Draft Bill Regarding TV Converter Box Coupon Program: To maximize coupon distribution, NTIA is seeking statutory flexibility to use, if necessary, available funds from other programs funded by the DTV Transition and Public Safety Act to cover administrative costs of the Coupon Program.
 • Cover Letter
 • Bill
 • Sectional Analysis

Federal Register Notice: Re-opened Request for Applications for Spectrum Management Advisory Committee: NTIA is re-opening its request for applications from persons interested in serving on the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC) for new two year terms to commence in December 2008. The evaluation criteria for selecting members contained in the August 1, 2008 notice shall continue to apply.
Note: Due to an administrative error, the application due date published in the Notice was incorrect. Applications must be postmarked or electronically transmitted on or before September 26, 2008. NTIA will publish a technical correction of this date in the Federal Register. (Acrobat PDF 55 Kb)
Posted 09-11-2008

Press Release: Gutierrez Commends Wilmington, N.C. as First Market in Nation to Transition from Analog to Digital
Posted 09-09-2008

2008 Speeches: Digital Television Transition in Wilmington, North Carolina: Meredith Attwell Baker, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, U.S. Department of Commerce, participated in the transition to digital television broadcasting in Wilmington, N.C., on Monday, September 8, 2008.
Posted 09-09-2008

Federal Register Notice: Spectrum Management Advisory Committee Meeting: A Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (Committee) will be held on Friday, September 19, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., EDT, at the United States Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave. N.W., Washington, DC. The Committee provides advice to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information on spectrum management matters. (Acrobat PDF 60 Kb)
Posted 09-04-2008

Press Release: Wilmington, N.C., on Track for Sept. 8 Digital Television Transition: As Wilmington prepares to be the first market to transition from analog to digital television on September 8, NTIA announced today that more than 36,000 Wilmington households have requested 67,000 coupons and redeemed 25,000 from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.  (Print version: Acrobat PDF 26 Kb)
Posted 09-03-2008

Federal Register Notice: Changes in the Low-Power Television and Translator Digital-to-Analog Conversion Program: On October 29, 2007, the NTIA published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the establishment of the Low-Power Television and Translator Digital-to-Analog Conversion Program and announcing $8 million in funds available for grants. Pursuant to the requirements of the DTV Transition Assistance Act, NTIA has determined that the full funding amount is not necessary for the Conversion Program and announces the funds available for these grants to be $3.5 million. NTIA also announces certain changes in the application submission deadlines. (Acrobat PDF 53 Kb)
Posted 08-28-2008

Press Release: Commerce Secretary Urges Georgia Residents to Act Now to Prepare for Digital TV Transition: Marking six months until the nation switches from analog to digital, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue at an Atlanta Circuit City store to urge consumers to prepare for the digital television transition.
Posted 08-20-2008

Press Release: Participation By “Over-the-Air” Households in TV Converter Box Coupon Program On Track as Nation Marks Six Months Until DTV Transition Concludes: NTIA announced today that nearly 6.4 million "over-the-air" TV households, those that rely on an antenna for broadcast TV, have requested about 12 million coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.
Posted 08-18-2008

Public Comments: NTIA Submits Comments on Draft Proposed Changes to ICANN's Registrar Accreditation Agreement: NTIA, on behalf of the Department of Commerce, submitted its views Draft Proposed Changes to ICANN's Registrar Accreditation Agreement. (Printable version, Acrobat PDF 1,362 Kb)
Posted 08-01-2008

Federal Register Notice: Call for Applications, Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee: NTIA is seeking applications from persons interested in serving on the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC) for new two year terms to commence in December 2008. The CSMAC provides advice to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator on spectrum management matters.
Posted 08-01-2008

Public Comments: NTIA Submits Comments on Improving Institutional Confidence in ICANN: NTIA, on behalf of the Department of Commerce, submitted its views on a series of interrelated documents prepared by ICANN's President’s Strategy Committee (PSC) regarding improving institutional confidence in ICANN. (Printable version, Acrobat PDF 1,343 Kb)
Posted 07-30-2008

FCC Filing: NTIA Asks for Rule Change To Improve Airport Runway Safety: NTIA today filed a petition asking the FCC to modify its rules to allow airport service vehicles to be equipped with transmitters that would permit air traffic control to identify and control these vehicles, thereby reducing the risk of aircraft colliding with vehicles on the airport surface. (Acrobat PDF 125 Kb)
Posted 07-29-2008

Press Release: Gutierrez Announces TV Converter Box Coupon Redemption Data: U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released national coupon redemption data for the TV Converter Box Coupon Program and announced Minneapolis/St. Paul is among the top five markets to redeem coupons.
Posted 07-28-2008

Press Release: Commerce’s NTIA Announces More Than 150 Converters Certified; September Deadlines for Manufacturers Established: NTIA announced today that the TV Converter Box Coupon Program has certified more than 150 converter boxes. In addition, NTIA announced that it has released a Federal Register notice dealing with instructions and deadlines for current and potential Coupon Eligible Converter Box Manufacturers. (Printable version, Acrobat PDF 46 Kb.)
Posted 07-24-2008

Federal Register: Instructions to Assist Manufacturers Submitting Notices of Intent (NOI) for Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes: This notice announces that manufacturers that intend to submit, for the first time, digital-to-analog converter boxes to the NTIA for certification must submit their Notice of Intent before September 1, 2008. Manufacturers who have to date received a certification notice for one or more converters have until September 30, 2008 to submit their NOI for any additional boxes. (Acrobat PDF 53 Kb)
Posted 07-24-2008

Press Release: NTIA Lauds Cable Companies in Fight Against Child Pornography on the Internet: U.S. Commerce Acting Assistant Secretary Meredith Attwell Baker today applauded the announcement that the nation's cable operators, working through the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA), have reached an unprecedented agreement with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. (Printable version, Acrobat PDF 35 Kb)
Posted 07-18-2008

Congressional Testimony: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Field Hearing on the Digital Television Transition: Testimony of Meredith Attwell Baker, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, before the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U. S. House of Representatives, in a Field Hearing on the Digital Television Transition; Brooklyn, NY (Printable version Acrobat PDF 67 Kb)
Posted 07-18-2008

Press Release: Commerce's NTIA To Address Native American Leaders and To Seek Outreach Assistance in Indian Country: NTIA Program Officer Lynn Chadwick will address Native American leaders at the FCC Indian Telecommunication Initiative at the Indian Walk-in Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 17, 2008. (Printable version, Acrobat PDF 36 Kb.)
Posted 07-14-2008

FTC Consumer Alert: Television is Going Digital: Get the Picture: With many consumers in the market for converter boxes, subscription services, or digital televisions, the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, offers shopping tips to make sure you continue to get your favorite television programs come February 2009.
Posted: 07-03-2008

Federal Register Notice: Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee Meeting: NTIA announces a public meeting of the Spectrum Management Advisory Committee on July
14, 2008, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time. The meeting will be held at ArrayComm, Inc., 2480 N. First St., San Jose, CA. (Acrobat PDF 53 KB)
Posted 06-30-2008
 • Tentative Meeting Agenda (Acrobat PDF 12 Kb)
Posted 07-09-2008

Congressional Testimony: Status of the DTV Transition: 252 Days and Counting: Testimony of Dr. Bernadette McGuire-Rivera, Associate Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Before the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Committee on Energy and Commerce, U. S. House of Representatives, Hearing on "Status of the DTV Transition: 252 Days and Counting"
Posted 06-10-2008

Notice of Proposed Rule Making: Changes to TV Converter Box Coupon Program Regarding Households
 • Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
 • Comments received
Posted 06-05-2008

Press Release: Commerce’s NTIA Announces Consumer Alert About Microprose Converters (Acrobat PDF 34 Kb)
Posted 05-22-2008

NTIA Releases Names of Spectrum Sharing Innovation Test-Bed Participants
Posted 05-20-2008

Press Release: Gutierrez Announces One Million Coupons Used for TV Converter Box Coupon Program: U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today announced that, nine months away from the digital television transition for all full-power broadcasters, one million coupons have been used as part of the NTIA TV Converter Box Coupon Program. (Acrobat PDF 59 Kb)
Posted 05-06-2008

Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule Making: Changes to TV Converter Box Coupon Program Regarding Households: NTIA proposes certain changes affecting its Digital-To-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program rules such as waiving the "eligible household" application requirements for individuals residing in nursing homes or other senior care facilities. Comments must be submitted by 5 p.m. EST, no later than June 9, 2008. (Acrobat PDF 73Kb)
Posted 04-24-2008

Press Release: 300 Days Until Digital TV Transition: U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today urged Americans to redeem TV converter box coupons within required 90-Day timeframe. (Acrobat PDF 62 Kb)
Posted 04-23-2008

Report: 1710-1755 MHZ Spectrum Band Relocation: NTIA has released the First Annual Progress Report on the Relocation of Federal users from the 1710-1755 MHZ Spectrum Band, which details progress from the commencement of relocation activity in March 2007 through December 2007. This is the first federal spectrum band selected for relocation pursuant to the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act. (Acrobat PDF 123 Kb)
Posted: 04-17-2008

Media Advisory: Commerce’s NTIA to Join Broadcast Industry Leaders in Providing Update on Digital Television Transition and the TV Converter Box Coupon Program at that National Association of Broadcasters' NAB Show 2008 at 2:00 PM (PDT) on Monday, April 14, 2008. (Printable Version Acrobat PDF 47 Kb)
Posted 04-10-2008

Notice of Open Meeting: Spectrum Management Advisory Committee: NTIA has published a notice announcing a public meeting of the Spectrum Management Advisory Committee on April 30, 2008, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the U.S. Department of Commerce Herbert C. Hoover Building, 1401 Constitution Avenue N.W., Room 1412, Washington, DC. (Printable Version Acrobat PDF 47 Kb)
Posted 04-09-2008

Press Release: Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Announces Ten Millionth Coupon Requested for TV Converter Box Program: Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez announced over 10 million coupons have been requested since the launch of the TV Converter Box Program on January 1, 2008.  The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is administering the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. (Acrobat PDF 59 Kb)
Posted 04-08-2008

Testimony: Oversight of the DTV Transition: Testimony of Meredith A. Baker, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and Acting Administrator, before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, regarding " Oversight of the DTV Transition" on April 8, 2008 (Printable version Acrobat PDF 45 Kb)
Posted 04-08-2008

NTIA Issues Statement on the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) Mid-term Review: NTIA, on behalf of the Department of Commerce, recently conducted a mid-term review of the Department's Joint Project Agreement (JPA) with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The JPA is a continuation of a series of agreements between the Department and ICANN to facilitate the transition of the technical coordination of the management functions related to the Internet domain name and addressing system (DNS) to the private sector. (Printable version, Acrobat PDF 31 Kb)
Posted 04-02-2008

Press Release: NTIA Works with Local Community Groups to Educate Consumers About the Benefits of the Digital TV Transition and Coupon Program: NTIA today kicked off Digital Television: Experience the Benefits, an effort with local organizations across the country to educate consumers about the benefits of the digital TV transition and the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. (Printable Version, Acrobat PDF 40 Kb)
Posted 03-31-2008

Press Release: NTIA Releases Federal Strategic Plan as Part of the President's Initiative on Spectrum Management Reform: NTIA today released a comprehensive report on the use of the nation’s airwaves used by the U.S. federal government, based on submissions of spectrum plans from 15 Federal agencies.  The report titled, The Federal Strategic Spectrum Plan is a key component of President Bush's 21st Century Spectrum Policy Initiative for improving the management of spectrum by federal agencies.
• Press Release
• Federal Strategic Spectrum Plan (Acrobat PDF 851 Kb)
• Spectrum Management Policy Reform Issues
Posted: 03-20-2008

Press Release: Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez Announces TV Converter Box Coupon Program on Track, Retailers Open for Business: $40 Coupons to be Mailed Out Starting Next Week, 9,700 Retailers Ready to Accept Coupons
Posted 02-15-2008, Updated 03-05-2008

Testimony: DTV Transition: 370 Days and Counting: Testimony of Meredith A. Baker Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, NTIA, Before the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet Committee on Energy and Commerce House of Representatives Hearing on Status of the DTV Transition: 370 Days and Counting on February 13, 2008 (Printable version Acrobat PDF)
Posted: 02-13-2008

Notice of Open Meeting: Spectrum Management Advisory Committee: NTIA has published a notice announcing a public meeting of the Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (Committee). The meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Institute for Telecommunication Sciences in Boulder, Colorado, on February 8, 2008, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. (Printable version - Acrobat PDF 29 Kb)
• Meeting Agenda (Acrobat PDF 12Kb)
Updated 02-08-2008

Press Release: One Year from 2009 Digital TV Transition, Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Highlights TV Converter Box Program at Retail Event : Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today urged Americans to take action and prepare for the digital television transition before February 17, 2009.  More than 4.4 million coupons have been requested since the opening of the TV Converter Box Coupon Program on January 1, 2008.
• Press Release (Printable version - Acrobat PDF 63 Kb)
Posted 02-07-2008, Updated 02-12-2008

NTIA Seeks Public Comments Regarding Joint Project Agreement with ICANN: NTIA will consult with interested stakeholders regarding the mid-term review of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) between the Department and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).  The Notice of Inquiry (NOI) was published in the Federal Register on November 2, 2007. Comments are due February 15, 2008.
• Public Meeting Agenda Posted 02-25-2008
• Comments Received (comment period now closed)
• Public Meeting Transcripts Posted 04-01-2008
• Federal Register: Notice of Public Meeting (Acrobat PDF Version 47 Kb) Posted 01-24-2008
• Press Release Posted 10-29-2007
• Federal Register: Notice of Inquiry (Acrobat PDF Version 22 Kb) Posted 11-01-2007

Notice of Open Meeting: Spectrum Management Advisory Committee: NTIA has published a notice announcing a public meeting of the Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (Committee). The meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Institute for Telecommunication Sciences in Boulder, Colorado, on February 8, 2008, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. (Printable version - Acrobat PDF 29 Kb)
• Meeting Agenda (Acrobat PDF 12Kb)
Updated 02-08-2008

Press Release: Commerce’s NTIA Seeks Participants for Spectrum Sharing Innovation Test-Bed: NTIA announced today in a public notice that the agency will be soliciting participation in the Spectrum Sharing Innovation Test-Bed which will study the feasibility of increased spectrum sharing between federal and commercial users. Participants must notify NTIA of their interest by Feb. 29, 2008.
• Press Release (Printable version PDF 24 Kb)
• Federal Register: Notice of Solicitation of Participation (Adobe PDF 56 Kb)
Posted 02-05-2008

Press Release: Gutierrez Hails Dramatic U.S. Broadband Growth: NTIA today released the report, “Networked Nation: Broadband in America, 2007,” that highlights the dramatic growth of broadband in the United States.  The report shows that the Administration’s technology, regulatory and fiscal policies have stimulated innovation and competition, and encouraged investment in the U.S. broadband market contributing to significantly increased accessibility of broadband services.
• Press Release
• Networked Nation: Broadband in America 2007
• Networked Nation: Summary (Acrobat PDF 202 Kb)
Posted 01-31-2008

Press Release: Commerce’s NTIA Urges Federal Partners to Help Reach Targeted Communities about the DTV Transition: NTIA hosted a meeting with more than 15 other federal agencies to further coordinate efforts to educate the nation about the February 17, 2009, deadline to transition to digital television. “These partners are particularly important in reaching the communities most at risk for losing television broadcasts,” said NTIA Acting Administrator Meredith Baker.
• Press Release (Printable version - Acrobat PDF 36 Kb)
• Request Coupons: call 1-888-388-2009 or go to www.dtv2009.gov
• Application Form for Requesting Coupons by Mail or Fax (Acrobat PDF 2,275 Kb)
• Authorized Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes (CECB)
• Retailer and Manufacturer Information: www.ntiadtv.gov
• Sample TV Converter Box Coupon (Acrobat PDF 55 Kb)
• TV Converter Box Coupon Program Logo (Acrobat PDF 380 Kb)
Posted 01-24-2008

Press Release: Commerce's NTIA Certifies More Than 250 Retailers and 19 Converter Box Models for TV Converter Box Coupon Program: The U. S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today at the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow that more than 250 retailers, representing more than 15,000 outlets nationwide, are certified to participate in a program to aid in the transition to digital television. Also, 19 converter box models are eligible for purchase with the coupon and more are being tested as part of the certification process. To date, more than one million applicants have requested two million coupons.
• Press Release (Printable version - Acrobat PDF 40 Kb)
• En Espanol
• Certified Retailers as of 01/04/2008 (Acrobat PDF 196 Kb)
• Authorized Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes (CECB) (www.ntiadtv.gov)
• Sample TV Converter Box Coupon (Acrobat PDF 42 Kb)
• Application form (Acrobat PDF 2,275 Kb)
• TV Converter Box Coupon Program Logo (Acrobat PDF 380 Kb)
• Consumer Education Plan (Acrobat PDF 408 Kb)
• Consumer Testing Results (Acrobat PDF 1,274 Kb)
Posted 01-07-2008

Archived "What's New" Material from 2007

Archived "What's New" Material from 2006

Archived "What's New" Material from 2005

Archived "What's New" Material from 2004

Archived "What's New" Material from 2003

Archived "What's New" Material from 2002

Archived "What's New" Material from 2001

Archived "What's New" Material from prior years