National 2009 Switch to Digital TV a Mixed Blessing for Law Enforcement

The nation’s TV broadcasters will switch from analog to digital transmission on February 17, 2009, freeing up broadcast spectrum that will directly benefit law enforcement personnel. But the transition may also open the door to consumer fraud.

By Martin W.G. King, NCPC Staff

The days of unassisted rabbit ears will soon be behind us. The old twin wire antennae on analog TVs will be going the way of the dinosaur with the national transition from analog to digital television on February 17, 2009—unless they’re accompanied by a new TV-top converter box that will enable them to continue to receive a signal. Americans who don’t already have a television with an internal digital tuner will have to buy a converter box to continue to receive a signal. Cable and satellite TV subscribers with analog TVs hooked up to their cable or satellite service should not be affected by the cutoff date for analog broadcasting.

The change to digital TV from analog TV was mandated by Congress in 1996—12 years ago. Pilot projects that have taken place since then have gone well. One of the reasons for the change is very important to law enforcement personnel: with the cessation of all analog broadcast service on February 17 next year, there will be far more spectrum available for emergency use by first responders, and far more availability of spectrum for wireless use. We all remember how the wireless communication equipment of first responders during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was rendered inoperable when the spectrum became overloaded. Communications technology has, in effect, overtaken the electronic infrastructure needed to support it. That will be changed with the transition from analog to digital TV.

Millions of American residents depend on television as a reliable source of information, including emergency alerts and warnings. Please inform members of your community – especially older adults and homebound individuals – of this digital transition to ensure they take any necessary action to receive and view over-the-air digital signals and get the information they need.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is providing up to two free $40 coupons that can be used toward the purchase of TV-top converter boxes sold at participating consumer electronics stores. The boxes are selling at prices ranging from $40 to $70 each. (For a list of approved converter boxes, go to https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm.) The coupons expire 90 days after mailing. To get yours, visit www.dtv2009.gov, or call 888-388-2009 or 877-530-2634 (TTY). You can also write to PO Box 2000, Portland, OR, 97208-2000.

The fact that a lot of people will be planning to purchase converter boxes with government coupons makes them ideal targets for con artists. These scams could also take up law enforcement’s time and energy to investigate and prosecute them.

The National Crime Prevention Council asks you to warn consumers in your community to

• Get coupons only from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
• Refuse to purchase coupons from anyone else who tries to sell them to you, even at a “discount”
• Refuse to do business with any store that won’t accept the coupons for eligible converter boxes but wants you to pay the “entire retail price”

In addition, since March 1, 2007, all TVs and associated products (such as DVD players) imported into the United Stated or that have been transported across state lines have had to have digital tuners. While retailers have been allowed to clear out their existing stock of analog TV sets, they have had to affix a warning headed “Consumer Alert” that the TVs have only an analog broadcast tuner. Be aware of this label and what it means if you’re shopping for a new TV—especially one at a bargain price!

If you would like to have someone speak to your group about any aspect of the switch to digital TV, visit http://www.dtv.gov/speaker.html and fill out the speaker request form.