Why The Digital Transition Must Not Be Delayed

The latest figure I have for TV stations in the US is 1773 — not including low power outfits. Even assuming average transmitter output of 10,000 watts, the impact of such consumption is considerable : well over 20 megawatts at least. This is by no means a trivial power requirement.

Now imagine if we doubled the amount — which is what we have to do to account for the fact that all commercial stations are currently broadcasting both analog and digital signals. As costly as this is, commercial television broadcasters have had plenty of time to incorporate into their budgets the dual power requirement of parallel broadcast transmissions. However, an unplanned extension of the deadline is likely to bankrupt smaller TV operators — the kind most likely to hire locally — and cause further unemployment in smaller markets. The other victims of such a delay would be the tower and transmitter service companies that were looking forward to drumming up some business around transition time.

So, in order to accommodate a lackadaisical and markedly small segment of the market we are willing to continue to weigh down on the power grid and further jeopardize an embattled industry? Come on Congress, that wouldn't be smart at all.

It is true that there appear to be some 6.5 million homes unable to receive digital television. However, we do not know with any certainty whether this deficiency is caused by poverty, disinterest or procrastination. Although the government has run out of coupons, many people have allowed their coupons to expire. I think these people would be a lot more motivated if they could not get any signal on their TV sets and found out from their friends what they need to do. As for the converter boxes, I believe their prices will drop making the coupons unnecessary.

I remember reading on an online forum that in Europe,where there was no coupon program, comparable boxes are sold for the equivalent of almost half the $40 US sticker price. Besides, if the government is so concerned about these households they could allocate some money for low interest loans to people wishing to buy the cheaper digital sets and/or converter boxes. Considering that the alternative is so costly to TV broadcasters, I think even they would welcome an alternative that would involve them pitching in to a fund to upgrade analog homes in their respective markets.

Look at cell phones. Look how we have migrated from analog to digital cellphone service without coupon programs or anything like them. To quote President Obama, "yes we can."