DTV Transition Date Firm; Focus Now on NTIA, Staffers Say
Despite calls for an earlier date and hints at delay, the DTV transition will occur Feb. 17, 2009, Hill staffers and lobbyists said in recent interviews. The focus now is NTIA implementation, specifically the converter box coupon program, soon to be out for public bid. NTIA Dir. John Kneuer said the rules will appear in a few weeks, pending Office of Management & Budget (OMB) clearance (see related story).
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The High Tech DTV Coalition wrote Tues. to Congress to pledge support 2007-2008 as the DTV transition unfolds. Active during legislative debate, the body then went “dormant” but has revived to make sure the transition works, said Brian Peters, dir.-govt. relations of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC). The Coalition includes high-tech, wireless and rural interests plus the National Assn. of Mfrs. and the Business Software Alliance.
“We want to help ensure the transition stays on target in the 110th Congress,” said ITIC Pres. Rhett Dawson. The public is “eagerly” awaiting DTV’s arrival, businesses want to benefit from services in the auctioned spectrum and first responders want interoperability as soon as possible, Dawson said: “We should stick to the plan the Congress passed after years of deliberation and compromise.”
Rep. Stupak (D-Mich.) suggested last week that the Feb. 2009 date might be moved forward last week as part of debate on the 9/11 Commission findings, to speed spectrum to safety use. But most safety lobbyists and Hill staffers experienced with the law think it impossible, if not foolish, to revisit the date. Consumer electronics ads already mention Feb. 2009, telling viewers TVs won’t work as of then, and reminding them that to watch any program they'll need sets equipped with a converter or DTV tuner. Some public TV stations are airing public service announcements.
Interoperability funding policy could bring clashes between House and Senate lawmakers as the Senate takes up its ideas on first responders. Last week the House passed a bill (HR-1) to create a Dept. of Homeland Security grant program; Senate hearings may lead that body to take a different tack. Funding hasn’t been set for the House bill, but it’s expected to exceed $1 billion allotted a program now underway at NTIA.