RCA ADVISES
ALASKAN CONSUMERS ABOUT A NEW ERA IN
TELEVISION BROADCASTING
AND WHAT YOU NEED KNOW ABOUT DTV
Anchorage, AK - The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA), in
partnership with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
(NARUC), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and among other
groups, advises Alaskan consumers that the era of analog broadcast television
will end February 17, 2009. This Digital Television (DTV) transition will affect
those who watch free over-the air television (through a roof-top antenna or
“rabbit ears”).
Congress mandated the conversion to DTV because all-digital
broadcasting will free up frequencies for public safety communications (such as
police, fire, and emergency rescue).
For those consumers who watch over-the-air programs, they need to
consider one of the following options and take action before February 17, 2009:
·
Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing
television. The boxes, which are expected to cost $50 - 70 are available
for purchase this year. Each household can request up to two coupons
valued at $40 each. Each coupon can go toward the purchase of a single
set-top converter box that will allow you to continue watching FREE "over-the-air" television on an analog set. For more information about the
coupon, contact the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) at 1-888-388-2009 or visit
www.ntia.doc.gov
.
·
Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telecommunications service provider if all
desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.
·
Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner.
For more information, please visit
www.dtv.gov
.
Date Issued: 3/6/2008