The House of Representatives today voted for legislation that would finalize the country’s move to new, higher-quality digital television by early 2009.
The digital television (DTV) provision is part of a larger proposal to cut government spending; the Senate has yet to approve the overarching bill.
Instead of April 7, 2009, as recommended by the Senate, the deadline for TV stations to end analog broadcasts and air only digital signals has been moved up to Feb. 17, 2009. The new bill would change current law, which aims to get stations to switch to digital-only signals by Dec. 31, 2006, or when 85 percent of the country can receive such transmissions.
House members also gave the thumbs-up to a $1.5 billion fund that would help some consumers buy converter boxes for their televisions. The Senate previously had allotted $3 billion for the fund, but compromised with House Republicans in the effort to curb government spending.
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) said it supports the DTV legislation, especially the part that allocates some of the revenue raised during the auction of recovered broadcast spectrum to fund interoperable communications systems for first responders.
“Once the transition is completed, the availability of additional spectrum will allow for the emergence of innovative products and services, improve wireless communications for public safety agencies, and stimulate jobs and the U.S. economy,” said Matthew J. Flanigan, president of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), in a prepared statement.
Last week, Flanigan told xchange TIA was hoping the DTV provision would get out of Congress before everyone breaks for winter.. The deficit reduction bill now heads to the Senate and, if it is passed, will go to President Bush’s desk for signing.
TIA www.tiaonline.org
U.S. House of Representatives www.house.gov
