1	DTV CONVERTER COUPON PROGRAM PUBLIC MEETING ON THE FINAL RULE Bernadette McGuire-Rivera OTIA Associate Administrator Anita Wallgren Program Director Anthony Wilhelm Director, Consumer Education & Public Information William Cooperman Director, OTIA Broadcast Division March 19, 2007 National Telecommunications and Information Administration U.S. Department of Commerce www.ntia.doc.gov
2	Key Staff Contacts Anita Wallgren Retailers Manufacturers Program Operations Tony Wilhelm Consumers Partners Public Outreach Bill Cooperman Converter Specifications
3	RFP Questions? Please hold until Bidder’s Conference Contact Diane Trice, NOAA 301-713-0838 x 102 Diane.Trice@noaa.gov
4	The Digital Transition Is Underway … Over-the-air consumers have many choices: Subscribe to cable, satellite, or other pay TV service Buy new digital television Purchase a converter What is the converter coupon program?
5	"PART 1" PART 1
6	Coupon Program Basics (con’t) Eligibility All households may receive coupons while the initial funding of $990M is available If contingent funds ($510M) are necessary, those funds will go only to over-the-air households
7	Coupon Program Basics (con’t) Coupon Value and Use Restrictions Worth $40 Up to 2 may be requested per household Cannot be combined toward purchase of single converter Cannot be used for products other than eligible converters Electronically trackable Expire after 90 days
8	Coupon Program Basics (con’t) Application Process Law requires consumers to request Asking for info necessary to complete request Name Address Number of coupons
9	Coupon Program Basics (con’t) Application Process Applications will be widely available Can request online, over the phone, via fax or through the mail Law requires coupons be sent to households via U.S. Postal Service Toll-free contact center and website
10	"PART 2" PART 2
11	Consumer Education Strategy Focus on households most likely to lose TV service: Rural households Minority residents Seniors Economically disadvantaged Disability community Focus on the converter and the Coupon Program
12	Consumer Education Strategy (con’t) Develop clear message and use consistently in the media Develop partnerships with groups who can reach target populations
13	Consumer Education Strategy (con’t) Encourage broad voluntary participation PSAs to blanket the nation and raise awareness Earned media Information at point of sale to make consumers aware of their choices Work closely with the DTV Transition Coalition and other stakeholders
14	Consumer Education Next Steps NTIA to hold regular public meetings to seek input and inform the public Partnership opportunities – please call 202-482-6260
15	"PART 3" PART 3
16	Retail Stores Retailers are crucial to program success Store front and online CE retailers Certification will expedite coupon redemption and minimize waste, fraud and abuse
17	Retail Stores (con’t) Stores will stock converters as they see fit Database will Authenticate coupon Match against certified converter Initiate payment to retail store Track coupon inventory Retailers will train employees
18	Retail Stores (con’t) To participate: In CE retail business for at least one year Central Contract Registration www.ccr.gov Redeem electronically trackable coupons and provide data required by NTIA Cooperate with audits
19	"PART 4" PART 4
20	Converters NTIA’s specifications apply to coupon program only Manufacturer may design and build products not for use with coupon that include D-A conversion Today’s state of the art technology should ensure good performance at low cost
21	Converters (con’t) Minimum Requirements Technical Appendix 1 Based on joint recommendation of consumer electronics industry and broadcasters Permitted features – in Technical Appendix 2 Disqualifying features - in Technical Appendix 2
22	Converters (con’t) NTIA will approve each make and model to be offered for purchase with coupon Manufacturers will self-test to ensure compliance with requirements Submit test results and 2 converters to NTIA for review FCC may test if requested by NTIA NTIA will notify manufacturers and input product info to database for retail stores
23	Required Features All channel tuner 2–69 Display all DTV formats Display all multicast channels Display program information (PSIP) Input: RF (F connector) Output: RF & Composite (3 RCA plugs) Remote Control Energy Standards
24	Permitted Features Smart antenna input Program guides Analog pass-through BTSC stereo in RF output Automatic software upgrades Programmable remote control Battery operated converter boxes Meet ENERGY STAR standards
25	Disqualifying Features Integrated video displays No TVs or monitors Audio/video recording or playback No DVD, VCR. HDDVD, BlueRay Digital outputs No HDMI, DVI, VGA Sale conditioned on purchase of another item
26	Conclusion
27	Conclusion