FCC Releases New Rules on Use of Distributed Transmission System Technologies for DTV

On Friday, the Federal Communications Commission released a ruling on the use of distributed transmission system (DTS) technologies in the digital television (DTV) service. The FCC finds that DTS will provide broadcasters with an important tool for providing optimum signal coverage for their viewers. For some broadcasters that are changing channels or transmitting locations for their digital service, DTS may offer the best option for continuing to provide over-the-air service to current analog viewers, as well as for reaching viewers that have historically been unable to receive a good signal due to terrain or other interference. FCC Commissioner Michael Copps said, "Anyone looking for an example of how the digital television transition would have benefited from a national commitment on the level of Y2K need look no further than this item approving the use of distributed transmission systems (DTS). The Order notes that DTS "will provide broadcasters with an important tool for providing optimum signal coverage for their viewers." In particular, DTS can help provide service to viewers at risk of losing service due to challenging terrain or other factors such as the digital "gap" issue highlighted in the Wilmington test last September. The problem is not the technology but the timing. Had we identified these coverage issues earlier, we could have approved DTS months ago and given broadcasters enough time to build out before the transition. Now that generally will not be possible. Would a truly comprehensive and coordinated DTV effort have identified these issues earlier? We will never know for sure. What we do know is that, in the absence of such an effort, we never gave ourselves a chance."