Digital-to Analog Converter Box Coupon Program Information
1. Congress has set midnight February 17, 2009 when TV stations will cease analog broadcasting.
2. DTV brings several benefits: 1) better picture quality, 2) more channels, 3) enhanced emergency services, 4) accessibility features, and 5) parental controls.
3. The returned analog spectrum will be provided to first responders and the rest will be auctioned to raise billions of dollars and create opportunities for advanced wireless broadband companies.
4. About 31 million households have a television set receiving over-the-air signals.
5. About 19 million households rely on over-the-air broadcasts to receive their TV programs; while another 12 million households have cable and satellite service but also have at least one broadcast only television set in the house.
6. CEA tells us that about 93% of the 285 million TVs are still analog sets. And about 98% of all TV households have at least one analog set. Therefore, the potential demand for the Coupon Program is vast.
7. Fifty percent of cable subscribers today - at least 32 million people - subscribe to analog, not digital cable.
8. Groups who, on average, are more reliant on over-the-air television include: minorities, seniors, economically disadvantaged, rural residents and people with disabilities.
9. Over 50% of all over-the-air households are in the 25 largest metro areas; another 36% are in rural zip codes.
10. Consumers have three choices to deal with the conversion: 1) add cable, satellite, or other pay services, 2) buy a new digital television, or 3) keep existing TV and buy a converter.
11. In the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Congress created the Coupon Program to smooth consumers' transition to digital broadcasting; and directed NTIA to administer the Coupon Program to defray the costs of converters, an affordable and easy consumer option.
12. All households may receive coupons while the initial funding of $990 million is available. If contingency funds ($510M) are necessary, those funds will go only for over-the-air households.
13. Two $40 coupons can be requested per household. The coupon can only be used for eligible converters and not for other electronic products.
14. The coupons are electronically trackable, expire after 90 days, and cannot be renewed.
15. Law establishes January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009 as the time period to request coupons. NTIA will only ask for the name, address, and number of coupons requested.
16. Consumers may request applications online, over a toll-free phone line, via fax, or through the mail. NTIA is also working with organizations with state and regional outreach capabilities to make the application process as simple as possible.
The link for the English and Spanish version of the brochure: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/consumer.html
For Frequently Asked Questions about the Coupon Program, visit http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/faq.html