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The DTV transition has the potential to benefit public safety officials and rural America. A portion of the spectrum is promised to public safety agencies to improve first responder communications. Currently, public safety communications do not have enough spectrum to communicate effectively as there are too many agencies trying to use too few radio channels. In addition, agencies are often on different frequencies of the spectrum, which makes it difficult for interoperable communication among local, state, and federal authorities. The remainder of the analog spectrum will be licensed to private companies to provide faster wireless Internet and cellular services. This is especially important to rural communities because this spectrum allows cellular and wireless Internet towers to be farther apart, which will make it less expensive to extend these services to rural America.

Unfortunately, these benefits only come by rendering analog televisions useless. In order to view the digital television signal, you must have either a digital television with a digital tuner or a digital converter box if you wish to continue to receive free over-the-air television. In addition, if you live far away from the broadcast tower and receive your analog signal with significant interference, you may not be able to receive the digital signal at all. This problem is also known as the digital cliff, where viewers that are far away from the broadcast tower either receive all or none of the signal.

To help determine what type of antenna you will need to receive the best possible reception for the digital transition, the National Association of Broadcasters created http://www.antennaweb.org. Through this website, you will receive information on what would be the most suitable antenna to receive the digital signal from your local broadcasters. In addition, I strongly encourage you to directly contact your local broadcaster as they will be the most equipped to determine what signals you should be able to receive from your location. A number of television stations will not be broadcasting at maximum strength until June 12, 2009 so the channels you receive may change. Finally, for assistance with installing your converter box, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters provides technical assistance at 1-888-643-8809.

For Americans that may lose access to their local broadcasts after the DTV transition or do not have access to begin with and depend heavily on satellite television for access, I introduced the Satellite Consumers’ Right to Local Channels Act on February 9, 2009. My legislation would require satellite carriers to provide universal local-into-local service in all 210 Designated Market Areas (DMAs) one year after it is enacted. My legislation was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to send it to the President’s desk.

Local community broadcasts are an important resource for Americans. In addition to emergency information, weather alerts, and other critical safety information that only local stations provide, these broadcasts are also a vital source for news and information about the community. According to the latest FCC filings, of the 210 Designated Market Areas (DMAs) in the United States, EchoStar only provides local-into-local service in 165 DMAs, while DirecTV only provides local-into-local service in 150 DMAs. This means that EchoStar customers in 45 DMAs and DirecTV customers in 60 DMAs cannot view local broadcasts. As a result, nearly 2.6 million American households have been ignored by the satellite industry.

It is important that Congress continue to support universal service and fair treatment for all consumers, regardless of where they live. As a member of the Communications, Technology, and the Internet Subcommittee, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that all Americans have access to their local channels.