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1 1 (February 15, 2006)

handle is hein.crs/crsaizc0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Order Code RS22217 Updated February 15, 2006 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web The Digital TV Transition: A Brief Overview Lennard G. Kruger Specialist in Science and Technology Resources, Science, and Industry Division Linda K. Moore Analyst in Telecommunications and Technology Policy Resources, Science, and Industry Division Summary During the first session of the 109th Congress, policymakers sought to accelerate the nation's transition to digital television and to expedite the transfer of radio frequency channels from the broadcast industry to public safety and commercial users no later than 2009. Broadcasters are holding spectrum in the 700 megahertz (MHZ) band (channels 52-69) that they would be required to relinquish after the transition to digital television (DTV) is achieved. Without a hard deadline, the transition to digital television has been postponed. Meanwhile, public safety officials want 700 MHZ spectrum that has been assigned to them, but not delivered, in order to build new interoperable networks, while the commercial wireless industry would like access to the spectrum for new services. Legislative language to clear spectrum and facilitate the transition to digital televison was included in both the House and Senate FY2005 budget reconciliation bills (H.R. 4241/S. 1932). The final version of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109- 171) sets the digital transition deadline at February 17, 2009, and allocates up to $1.5 billion for a digital-to-analog converter box program. P.L. 109-171 does not include provisions on downconversion, nor does it address the debate over expanding must carry rules to include multicasting must carry. The enacted legislation also does not include provisions on the broadcast flag. This report will not be updated. The transition to digital television has two major policy components. One set of policy decisions is concerned with how best to move television broadcasters and their viewers to digital technology. Other key policy issues deal with radio frequency spectrum management and allocation. The public interest goals for these paths are not well aligned, presenting Congress with difficult choices to achieve its overall objective of completing the transition. Briefly discussed below are key points about the transition process: background, the impact on broadcasting, spectrum policy, and recent legislative activity.' Congressional Research Service + The Library of Congress Detailed information on these topics is available in CRS Report RL31260, Digital Televison: (continued...)

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