Chairman Copps Addresses DTV Transition Issues

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Copps spoke to the FCC's Consumer Advisory Committee on Friday. He began by forcefully saying, "It's time for the CAC-and all of the advisory committees at the FCC-to be restored to their position as valued and independent counsel on the important communications policy issues we face." He expressed a number concerns about the state of the digital television transition, which remains just days away, and noted six steps the FCC is taking now to improve the transition:

1) Coordinating more closely with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and other entities,

2) increasing coverage of so-called "analog nightlight" stations around the country,

3) improving consumer outreach,

4) expanding consumer assistance-- including in-home assistance,

5) creating a unified calling center, and

6) addressing broadcasters' coverage area issues.

He also committed to convening a technical working group to address digital closed captioning and video description issues.