NTIA Concerned About DTV Coupons, Converter-Box Supply

The Federal Communications Commission says it should be able to handle calls about the digital television transition, but only with industry help. The National Telecommunications & Information Association (NTIA), meanwhile, says it may need up to $330 million more in funding to ensure no slippage or stoppage in distribution of its $40 DTV-to-analog converter box coupons. In addition, NTIA says there could be a shortfall of up to 2.5 million converter boxes given current supply and anticipated demand. Those sobering assessments came in responses to questions put to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and acting NTIA head Meredith Attwell Baker from Rep Ed Markey (D-MA), the chairman of the House Telecommunications Subcommittee, regarding the status of the DTV transition. Chairman Markey said he would go over the responses but was already bracing for a cash infusion. "I will carefully review these responses," he said Friday, "but it is becoming increasingly clear that at minimum Congress may need to quickly pass additional funding for the converter box program in early January to prevent any delay in coupon availability or issuance."