TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Transition to Digital Gets Closer

Transition to Digital Gets Closer

Monty Solomon (monty@roscom.com)
Tue, 20 Dec 2005 08:59:53 -0500

By STEPHEN LABATON
The New York Times
December 20, 2005

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 - The House of Representatives moved early Monday
to provide millions of households with coupons to buy equipment to
keep their television sets working after broadcasters switch from
analog to digital signals. But consumer groups warned that the new law
would still impose significant costs on viewers.

The House measure, including a mandate to complete the transition to
digital television by early 2009, was included in budget legislation
approved shortly before sunrise by a vote of 212 to 206. The
provisions, awaiting Senate approval, are of enormous importance to
the television, cable and wireless telephone industries.

As part of the transition, the legislation would provide each
household with up to two coupons worth $40 each for converter boxes to
attach to analog television sets so they are not obsolete once
broadcasters surrender their analog licenses on Feb. 17, 2009, as the
new law would require. Not coincidentally, the date was selected to
fall two weeks after the Super Bowl and a month before the widely
watched National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball
tournament.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/20/technology/20digital.html?ex=1292734800&en=151d18cc078ce36e&ei=5090

Post Followup Article Use your browser's quoting feature to quote article into reply
Go to Next message: Monty Solomon: "Missing ABN Amro Tape With Two Million Names Found"
Go to Previous message: Associated Press News Wire: "Live Animals Banned on eBay"
TELECOM Digest: Home Page