Think About It: 300 Million Mobile DTV Receivers

[Commentary] Let's put a mobile DTV receiver in the pocket of every American so that they can tune into their favorite broadcast show anytime, anywhere — in the store, on the bus, at the dentist. How do we do it? Convince Congress to mandate DTV tuners in all new cell phones.

There is precedent. In 1962, Congress passed the All-Channel Receiver Act requiring UHF tuners in all TV sets. Forty years later, drawing authority from the act, the FCC required digital tuners in some sets starting in July 2004 and in all sets after July 2007. Now, in an effort to end the long standoff over music royalties, the NAB and the recording industry are working on compromise legislation that, among other things, would mandate FM tuners in all cell phones. Though controversial, it could become law. What a good idea. A mobile DTV tuner mandate would not put a phone in the pocket of all Americans. Some are too poor or too young to own cell phones. Others, believe it or not, just don't roll with phones. They don't want to be on the grid 24/7 for whatever reason. But it would come pretty darn close.