1	"NTIA Low-Power Television" NTIA Low-Power Television Digital Programs June 22, 2007
2	Overview A. Background B. Low-Power Conversion Program (§ 3008) B1. Eligible Low-Power Station B2. Equipment B3. Priority Compensation B4. Administrative Procedures & Timetable C. Low-Power Upgrade Program (§ 3009)
3	"A" A. Background
4	Background Low-Power Stations Licensed 6,905 Construction Permits 1,381 TOTAL 8,286 Source: FCC March 2007
5	Background DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT OF 2005 (Public Law 109-171 enacted 2/8/2006) Title III - Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 Allows analog Low-Power TV broadcasts after the full-power TV February 17, 2009 digital transition deadline (§ 3002) Creates two low-power digital transition programs (§§ 3008, 3009)
6	Background New Low-Power Digital TV Transition Programs Section 3008 – Low-Power Television and Translator Digital-to-Analog Conversion $10 million available starting October 1, 2007, for purchase of digital-to-analog converter devices by eligible stations
7	Background New Low-Power Digital TV Transition Programs Section 3009 – Low-Power Television and Translator Upgrade Program $65 million available starting October 1, 2008, to upgrade eligible stations from analog to digital
8	Background New Low-Power Digital TV Transition Programs The two programs have different objectives and eligibility requirements. NTIA urges each Low-Power TV licensee to review information about both programs when planning its station’s digital conversion.
9	Background NTIA’s Goal: To assist as many qualified stations as possible
10	"B" B. Low-Power TV Conversion Program (§ 3008)
11	Purpose of the Conversion Program “[E]ach eligible low-power television station may receive compensation toward the purchase of a digital-to analog conversion device… “that enables it to convert the incoming digital signal of its corresponding full-power television station to analog format… “for transmission on the low-power television station’s analog channel.” [§ 3008(a)].
12	"B1" B1. “Each Eligible Low-Power Station”
13	Eligible Low-Power Station Eligible Stations [§ 3008(c)] Low-power television broadcast station Class A television station Television translator station Television booster station [Note: both commercial and noncommercial stations are eligible]
14	Eligible Low-Power Station Broadcasting exclusively in analog format [§ 3008(c)(1)] Must be broadcasting on date of application With FCC license, or Under FCC Program/Test Authority
15	Eligible Low-Power Station Broadcasting exclusively in analog format [§ 3008(c)(1)] The following stations may not be eligible: Stations broadcasting a digital signal on a companion channel. (Such stations are not broadcasting exclusively in analog.) Stations that have flash cut are not broadcasting exclusively in analog.
16	Eligible Low-Power Station Stations holding a Construction Permit Program is intended to convert operating stations receiving an analog full-power TV station. Bare construction permits may not be eligible unless the station completes construction and begins broadcasting by September 30, 2007. Stations with construction permits should plan to receive their full-power digital, not analog, station.
17	Eligible Low-Power Station A station CANNOT have purchased a Digital-to-analog conversion device (DACD) prior to enactment of the Digital Television and Public Safety Act of 2005 (February 8, 2006) [§ 3008(c)(2)] DACD is explained in Equipment Section.
18	Summary: Station Eligibility When an application for conversion funding is filed, a low-power station: Must be broadcasting with a FCC license or program/test authority. Must be broadcasting only a analog signal, not on a companion channel. Cannot have purchased a digital-to-analog conversion device before 2/8/2006.
19	"B2" B2. Equipment
20	Equipment “…to convert the incoming digital signal of its corresponding full-power station…” [§ 3008(a)] Equipment must receive/convert the incoming off-air signal of a full-power digital station to analog. Equipment cannot be used by a station that receives an analog station in a “daisy chain.” Equipment cannot be used by a station that receives baseband video via satellite or microwave.
21	Equipment NTIA Assistant Secretary “…Shall determine the maximum amount of compensation such a low-power television station may receive based on the average cost of such digital-to-analog conversion devices…But in no case shall such compensation exceed $1,000” (Conference Report on S. 1932, Congressional Record, 12/18/2005, p. H12692 )
22	Equipment NTIA realizes that many installations vary in complexity and design. This program is only intended to support the acquisition of a DACD to convert the off-air signal of a full service digital television station.
23	Equipment Commonly used systems Type 1 – Tuner/receiver that feeds an Analog Translator Type 2 – Tuner/receiver that feeds a Microwave which serves other Translators Type 3 - Heterodyne Processor
24	Type 1 – Tuner/Receiver Feeds Analog Translator Receive Antenna Transmit Antenna
25	Type 1 – Tuner/Receiver Feeds Analog Translator Receive Antenna Transmit Antenna Must be replaced
26	Type 1 – Tuner/Receiver Feeds Analog Translator Receive Antenna Transmit Antenna
27	Type 2 – Tuner/Receiver Feeds Microwave Receive Antenna MW Antenna
28	Type 2 – Tuner/Receiver Feeds Microwave Receive Antenna MW Antenna
29	Type 2 – Tuner/Receiver Feeds Microwave Receive Antenna MW Antenna
30	Type 3 – Heterodyne Processor Receive Antenna Transmit Antenna
31	Type 3 – Heterodyne Processor Receive Antenna Transmit Antenna Must be replaced
32	Type 3 – Becomes Tuner/Receiver Receive Antenna Transmit Antenna
33	Equipment Digital-analog Conversion Device (DACD) Device to pick up digital full power station off-air so it can be converted to analog Device must auto reset to designated full power TV station virtual channel (e.g. Ch. 26-3) in event of power failure DACD will replace existing Tuner/Receiver or existing Heterodyne Processor Average Tuner/Receiver Cost: $1,000
34	Equipment Other possible station expenses Off-air antenna (if full-power station changes from VHF channel to UHF) Installation (depending on local conditions) Heterodyne systems may require modulator (in addition to Tuner/Receiver); integrated Tuner/Receiver/Modulator may be available.
35	Equipment To assist as many stations as possible, NTIA may issue awards: Tuner/receiver average cost: $1,000 Uniform $1,000 award per station @ 8,000 stations TOTAL AWARDS = $8,000,000
36	"B3" B3. Priority Compensation
37	Priority Compensation Section 3008(a) requires that priority compensation be given when either: A license is held by a non-profit corporation; OR A station serves a rural area of fewer than 10,000 viewers.
38	Priority Compensation Non profit corporations Usually organized under IRS § 501(c) [26 U.S.C. § 501(c) excluding § 501(c) (4)] Usually does not refer to governmental units unless the unit has a separate corporate charter
39	Priority Compensation Stations that serve rural areas of fewer than 10,000 viewers NTIA may use the number of viewers in the station’s protected coverage area (as calculated by the FCC’s 50/50 contour) as the basis for Priority Compensation
40	Priority Compensation Implementation Priority Period (10/1/2007-12/31/2007) NTIA will only process applications that qualify for priority compensation. Open Period (1/1/2008-2/17/2009 NTIA will process all applications.
41	Priority Compensation General methods of addressing priority compensation: Self certification of non-profit status Self certification of population covered NTIA may request documentation of the non-profit status or population coverage.
42	"B4" B4. Administrative Procedures and Timetable
43	Administrative Procedures Application Process 1. Prepare application electronically 2. Print and sign application 3. Have bank officer sign payment enrollment form (SF-3881) 4. Mail application and bank form
44	Administrative Procedures Applications must be prepared electronically as well as printed and signed Applicants must submit the following: Licensee Name (including DUNS number) Station call sign, city of license, FCC facility # Identification of corresponding full-power TV station
45	Administrative Procedures Applicant must certify that the Station: Is licensed by FCC (or has filed on____ (date)) Is broadcasting exclusively in analog, and Did not purchase digital-to-analog device prior to February 8, 2006 IF PRIORITY COMPENSATION REQUESTED: Is operated by non-profit corporation, or Serves a rural area of less than 10,000 viewers
46	Administrative Procedures All Applications must be signed by applicant SF-3881 must be signed by bank official Application and SF-3881 must be postmarked no later than February 17, 2009 Electronic payments will be made to applicant’s bank.
47	Administrative Procedures Applicant must comply with Department of Commerce Standard Terms and Conditions for grants NTIA reserves the right to request documentation regarding any information supplied in a application Applicants are requested to complete optional information form for the Digital Upgrade Program (section 3009)
48	Administrative Procedures Timetable Publish Notice of Availability of Funds September 2007 Accept applications for Priority Period October 2007-December 2007 Accept applications during Open Period January 2008-February 17, 2009
49	"Section 3009" Section 3009 Low-Power TV Upgrade Program
50	Low-Power TV Upgrade Program Overview Reimbursement for equipment to permit low power stations to broadcast in digital $65 million available for eligible stations Program begins in FY 2009
51	Low-Power TV Upgrade Program Eligible Stations Same as § 3008 Conversion program EXCEPT: Low-power stations must be in communities of less than 20,000 Note: Priority will be given to stations in rural areas with less than 10,000 viewers (same as § 3008)
52	Low-Power TV Upgrade Program Optional information on application form NTIA asks that stations supply additional information Applicants for Conversion Program Station that may not be interested or eligible for the Conversion Program Help NTIA plan for Upgrade Program Assess potential participation in Upgrade Program
53	Low-Power TV Upgrade Program Optional information on application form NTIA asks that stations supply the following additional information: Translator equipment model and power level Transmit antenna information Whether any site, power, or accessibility issues exist?
54	Low-Power TV Upgrade Program Optional information on application form NTIA asks that stations supply the following additional information: Community less than 20,000, less than 10,000? Interest in applying for Upgrade Program
55	Questions? Mail: NTIA Translator Program Department of Commerce, Room 4812 1401 Constitution Ave, NW Washington, DC 20230 Phone: Lynn Chadwick (202) 482-8338 Larry Dyer (202) 482-1762 E-Mail: lchadwick@ntia.doc.gov ldyer@ntia.doc.gov FAX: (202) 501-8009