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DTV Delay Debate Takes Place on Hill
Lawmakers continue to scrutinize legislation that would delay the nation's transition to digital TV, which for the moment is scheduled for Feb. 17. That effort continues today as the House Energy and Commerce Committee takes up a bill that would postpone the digital TV switch until June 12.
A draft discussion bill provided by the committee has that proposed new date for the digital TV switch along with other provisions tied to the coming transition. For example, the bill would require the Federal Communications Commission to postpone the delivery of licenses to companies seeking to use recovered analog broadcast spectrum - known as the 700 MHz band - for up to 116 days.
Last year, the FCC auctioned off the coveted 700 MHz spectrum, bringing in nearly $20 billion from the sale. The spectrum is expected to be utilized for advanced wireless broadband services, and it attracted companies like AT&T, Verizon and DISH Network.
The House legislation also would extend the federal government's digital TV converter box coupon program through Sept. 15.
Lawmakers will eventually need to discuss further funding of that DTV coupon program, which is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The program ran out of money earlier in the month, and that compelled lawmakers and others to seek a delay in the digital TV transition until the program can get more funds.
In the Senate, a similar bill from Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the West Virginia Democrat and chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, also proposes a June 12 date for the digital TV switch.
Lawmakers continue to scrutinize legislation that would delay the nation's transition to digital TV, which for the moment is scheduled for Feb. 17. That effort continues today as the House Energy and Commerce Committee takes up a bill that would postpone the digital TV switch until June 12.
A draft discussion bill provided by the committee has that proposed new date for the digital TV switch along with other provisions tied to the coming transition. For example, the bill would require the Federal Communications Commission to postpone the delivery of licenses to companies seeking to use recovered analog broadcast spectrum - known as the 700 MHz band - for up to 116 days.
Last year, the FCC auctioned off the coveted 700 MHz spectrum, bringing in nearly $20 billion from the sale. The spectrum is expected to be utilized for advanced wireless broadband services, and it attracted companies like AT&T, Verizon and DISH Network.
The House legislation also would extend the federal government's digital TV converter box coupon program through Sept. 15.
Lawmakers will eventually need to discuss further funding of that DTV coupon program, which is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The program ran out of money earlier in the month, and that compelled lawmakers and others to seek a delay in the digital TV transition until the program can get more funds.
In the Senate, a similar bill from Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the West Virginia Democrat and chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, also proposes a June 12 date for the digital TV switch.
