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Klobuchar Presses FCC and NTIA to Address Looming Technical Concerns with DTV Transition

In letter, Klobuchar warns of need to educate consumers about the "digital cliff"

September 12, 2008

Washington, D.C. – In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar pressed the two agencies for answers in light of early reports that suggest that a certain portion of consumers were unable to receive digital television service during the FCC’s Wilmington, N.C. test market switch-over earlier this week. 

At a Commerce Committee hearing on DTV in April, Senator Klobuchar first raised the need to educate consumers about the issue of the so-called “digital cliff” to the FCC and NTIA, fearing that some consumers may not be able to receive digital signals even after purchasing a converter box or new digital television without significant antenna upgrades.  Recent reports confirm that antenna and other technical issues made up a significant percentage of consumer complaints in the Wilmington, N.C. switch-over on Monday, September 8, 2008.

“The entire nation will have to make the DTV transition just a few months from now,” said Klobuchar.  “The Wilmington, N.C. switch-over raises concerns about how effectively the federal government is preparing Americans for the DTV transition.  The agencies should quickly apply the lessons learned in Wilmington to make sure consumers are aware of the potential coverage and technical problems they may face as part of the DTV transition.”

Senator Klobuchar’s letter went on to note that many of the people potentially affected by the digital cliff problem live in rural areas, the same people who may be least able to afford an upgrade to their antenna system or to subscribe to a cable, satellite, or other video provider.

Tens of millions of TV sets nationwide will be affected by the change to digital broadcasting, including 430,000 households in Minnesota. 

Because of concerns over consumer preparedness, the Federal Communications Commission chose Wilmington, North Carolina, as a pilot project for an early transition to digital broadcasting.

In her letter, Senator Klobuchar pressed the FCC and NTIA for answers regarding:

-What, if anything, has the FCC and NTIA done to make consumers – particularly rural viewers – aware of the potential digital cliff phenomenon?

-What will happen to those viewers who purchase a new television or converter box and nonetheless cannot receive television coverage because of the digital cliff? 

-Have the agencies given any thought as to how to make the people affected by the digital cliff whole, especially those who acted in good faith but nevertheless find themselves without an ability to receive over-the-air television?  What contingencies are being considered for this group?

-What attention did the FCC give to educating consumers in the Wilmington, N.C. test market about digital cliff issues prior to the switch-over?

-How does the FCC and/or NTIA plan to quickly share and apply nationally any lessons learned in Wilmington about coverage and technical issues facing consumers?

Klobuchar has worked to supplement efforts to help consumers understand the switch to DTV.  Earlier this year she partnered with Minnesota-based retailer Best Buy and officials from the Minnesota AARP and the Minnesota Broadcasters Association to help raise awareness of the upcoming switch to DTV.  In April, Klobuchar’s staff made visits to seven Minnesota cities to educate consumers about the transition.  Many of the visits included employees from electronics retailers who helped explain and demonstrate the switch to DTV.

“Preparing for the digital transition is especially important for consumers.” Klobuchar said. “In Minnesota, more than 21 percent of our households depend exclusively on over-the-air broadcast TV – they will be most affected by the transition and they need to know what’s coming their way.’’

Senator Klobuchar has also created a special section on her Senate website here to provide detailed guidance to consumers about the digital transition, due to take effect on February 17, 2009.

           
Text of Senator Klobucar’s letter below:


September 11, 2008


The Honorable Kevin J. Martin            The Honorable Meredith Atwell Baker
Chairman    Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information
Federal Communications Commission        National Telecommunications and
445 12th Street, S.W.                    Information Administration
Washington, D.C.  20554            1401 Constitution Ave., N.W.
                        Washington, D.C.  20230


Dear Chairman Martin and Acting Assistant Secretary Baker:

We are now only about 160 days away from the digital television transition date – a date of particular importance to Minnesota.  As you know, more than one-fifth of Minnesota households rely exclusively on over-the-air broadcast television.  In this regard, there is a razor-thin margin of error for making sure Minnesotans are prepared for what will be the biggest change in television broadcasting since the change from black-and-white to color.

There continues to be a looming issue in connection with the DTV transition about which I fear that consumers in Minnesota – and across America – are not adequately prepared.  Early reports from this week’s Wilmington, N.C. early switch-over appear to underscore this concern.  Specifically, on February 18, 2009, many consumers may be surprised to suddenly find themselves on the other side of the so-called “digital cliff.”   As you may recall, I raised this concern at the Senate Commerce Committee’s April 2008 hearing on the DTV transition.  Thousands of Minnesotans who either purchase a new digital television or install a converter box may still be unable to receive digital signals.  As a result, these viewers will experience either a blank television screen or an inability to receive one or more channels following the February 2009 transition.  

For these consumers unlucky enough to be caught on the other side of the digital cliff, their only possible solutions are to upgrade their indoor or outdoor antenna or to subscribe to a cable, satellite, or other video provider.   And the reality is that many of those consumers who are impacted by the digital cliff, particularly those in rural or remote areas, may be the least able to afford to upgrade their antenna system or subscribe to cable or satellite.

I recognize that the precise extent of digital signals will not be fully known until after the February 2009 transition date, but the reports back from Wilmington, N.C. nevertheless provide a warning that coverage and technical issues may be significant.  Accordingly, I remain concerned that consumers are not being adequately informed about the digital cliff effect and what to do about it.  In particular, I would like to know:

•    What, if anything, has the FCC and NTIA done to make consumers – particularly rural viewers – aware of the potential digital cliff phenomenon?

•    What will happen to those viewers who purchase a new television or converter box and nonetheless cannot receive television coverage because of the digital cliff? 

•    Have the agencies given any thought as to how to make the people affected by the digital cliff whole, especially those who acted in good faith but nevertheless find themselves without an ability to receive over-the-air television?  What contingencies are being considered for this group?

•    What attention did the FCC give to educating consumers in the Wilmington, N.C. test market about digital cliff issues prior to the switch-over?

•    How does the FCC and/or NTIA plan to quickly share and apply nationally any lessons learned in Wilmington about coverage and technical issues facing consumers?
 
      As I have said before, American consumers rely on their televisions not only for entertainment but also for access to important weather and public safety information.  As a result, the stakes are high to ensure that those consumers who rely on over-the-air television are not left confused or in the dark after the digital television transition.  I look forward to your response to these questions.

Sincerely,

s/

Amy Klobuchar
U.S. Senator



Cc:    Michael J. Copps, Commissioner
Jonathan S. Adelstein, Commissioner
Deborah Taylor Tate, Commissioner
Robert M. McDowell, Commissioner