Boucher: More Funding Needed for DTV Transition

BOUCHER: MORE FUNDING NEEDED FOR TRANSITION
Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) said that technical challenges remain for over-the-air viewers in the DTV transition and there’s no federal funding for the solutions. Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Association Washington Forum, he said that even if there are enough coupons for everyone who wants a DTV converter box, some viewers will have difficulties installing the boxes and may not be able to easily resolve reception problems. “We have absolutely no provision of federal help for technical assistance.” Rep Boucher said. “I think we’re going to need to provide some measure of help, some technical assistance funding,” he said. “We’re still a nation where a lot of people don't know how to program their VCRs.” He pointed to an FCC estimate that 5 percent of over-the-air viewers will need improved antennas. “We have no funding in our federal program to replace those antennas,” he said. “It’s another problem for which we don't have a solution.
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