AfterDawn: News

U.S. households that have televisions using analog technology, will be eligible for $40 discount coupons to buy digital converter boxes as U.S. television stations are required to switch to only digital broadcasts by February 17, 2009. With 20 million estimated to rely on free over-the-air television, the date has often been criticized with many calling for it to be pushed back.

The coupon offer was announced on Monday by the Commerce Department. A converter box would be needed to use an analogue television after the cut off date. Since quite a large amount of U.S. families cannot afford to replace their televisions with a new digital television, it becomes the most viable option to keep TVs from going dark.



Some industry sources have estimated the price of a converter box could range between $50 to $60. "There are a number of options for consumers to effect transition on their own ... This program is one option for consumers," said John Kneuer, head of the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA). The NTIA expects to have a system in place to process coupons starting on January 1, 2008.

Source:
Reuters

Written by: James Delahunty @ 12 Mar 2007 18:45