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GAO-05-940R 1 (2005-09-06)

handle is hein.gao/gaocrptasci0001 and id is 1 raw text is: G AO Aco untability * Integrity * Reliability United States Government Accountability Office Washington, D.C. 20548 September 6, 2005 The Honorable Joe Barton Chairman The Honorable John D. Dingell Ranking Minority Member Committee on Energy and Commerce House of Representatives The Honorable Fred Upton Chairman The Honorable Edward J. Markey Ranking Minority Member Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet Committee on Energy and Commerce House of Representatives Subject: Digital Television Transition: Issues Related to an Information Campaign Regarding the Tansition The United States is currently undergoing a transition from analog to digital broadcast television. This transition offers the promise of more television programming options, interactive television, and high-definition television. An additional goal of the digital television (DTV) transition is for the federal government to reclaim radiofrequencies-or spectrum-that broadcasters currently use to transmit analog television signals. Because of the virtual explosion of wireless applications in recent years, there is considerable concern that future spectrum needs-both for commercial as well as government purposes-will not be met. The spectrum that will be cleared at the end of the DTV transition is considered to be highly valuable spectrum because of its particular technical properties. In all, the DTV transition will clear 108 megahertz (MHz) of spectrum, which is a fairly significant amount. In the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, the Congress directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reallocate 24 MHz of the reclaimed spectrum to public safety uses. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there has been a greater sense of urgency to free spectrum for public safety purposes. The remaining returned spectrum will be auctioned for use in advanced wireless services, such as wireless GAO-05-940R Digital Television Transition Page 1

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