News and Publications

This week we received and posted valuable input from States, Territories and Tribal entities about our Round 2 applications. As a result, BTOP staff will have valuable, in-depth perspectives into the local impact of the proposals under consideration. As was the case in round one, we received thoughtful views from State CTOs, technology advisors and other key staff for governors and Tribal Leaders on which projects would best reach their most underserved and economically needy areas.

This week marked the announcement of the final BTOP Round 1 grants. "Last, but not least" certainly describes these awards. Among them are some very meritorious last mile infrastructure projects in Idaho, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Washington. In Puerto Rico, we are funding a project that will enable broadband providers, anchor institutions, and government entities to band together to deploy a wireless middle mile network across the island, enhancing access and reduce costs.

The BTOP Compliance/Environmental Team marked Earth Day yesterday by accepting the 2010 Department of Commerce Environmental Stewardship Award from the Commerce Department’s Director for Administrative Services Mary Pleffner and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration John Charles. This annual award recognizes outstanding achievements of Department employees for efforts that significantly contribute to, or will promote, environmental stewardship.

WASHINGTON—The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced that with two months until the transition to digital television concludes, 76 percent of all households that rely on television with an antenna have requested coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.  Based on self-reporting, 11 million households have requested coupons out of 14.3 million that Nielsen says rely on TV over-the-air.  The program helps households switch to digital television when full-power TV broadcasters transition from analog to 1

WASHINGTON -- The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced that more than 40 million coupons have been requested, and more than 16 million coupons have been redeemed, to date, from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.

WASHINGTON -- The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today hosted more than 25 federal agencies to further coordinate efforts to educate vulnerable Americans about the February 17, 2009, deadline to transition to digital television and the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.  To date, more than 20 million households have requested more than 39 million coupons and redeemed more than 16 million coupons since the program opened on January 1, 2008.

WASHINGTON -- The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today applauded EDUCAUSE’s actions to introduce Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) in the .EDU top-level domain.  EDUCAUSE is responsible for the management of .EDU through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Commerce.  

WASHINGTON—The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded today $1.65 million to the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF) to help vulnerable populations transition to digital television with the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. Coupons should be requested by the end of the year for consumers to be prepared when full-power TV broadcasters switch from analog to 100 percent digital broadcasts after February 17, 2009—88 days from today.

Remarks of Meredith Attwell Baker, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce
(As Prepared)

The Media Institute’s Communications Forum
November 20, 2008 - Washington, D.C.

Introduction

Thank you, Dick, for everything you’ve done and thanks for that kind introduction.  I am delighted to be here, especially on a day of particular historical significance for defenders of the First Amendment. 

WASHINGTON—The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today an award of $2.7 million to the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) to help seniors transition to digital television through the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.  Full-power TV broadcasters switch from analog to 100 percent digital broadcasts after February 17, 2009.

WASHINGTON -- The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced updated participation rates by television market and that 62 percent of all over-the-air households, those that rely on an antenna for broadcast TV, have requested coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.  The program helps households switch to digital television when full-power TV broadcasters transition from analog to 100 percent digital broadcasts on February 17, 2009--100 days from today.

Remarks of Meredith Attwell Baker, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce
(As Prepared)

142nd Annual Convention of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
Cromwell, Connecticut
November 14, 2008

Introduction

Thank you, Ed, for that kind introduction.  I am delighted to be here today and to have the privilege to address the 142nd Annual Convention of the National Grange.

WASHINGTON--Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today issued a Notice of Inquiry seeking public comments regarding the deployment of Domain Name and Addressing System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) into the Internet’s DNS infrastructure, including the authoritative root zone.   Comments are due by November 24, 2008.  The Notice of Inquiry is available online at www.ntia.doc.gov.

Challenges of International Cooperation
Plenary Session Keynote Speech of NTIA Acting Assistant Secretary Meredith Attwell Baker
(As prepared)

October 7, 2008

Introduction

WASHINGTON–The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), announced today that “over-the-air” television viewers who want to participate in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program should apply for coupons before the end of the year to minimize the chances of losing TV reception when full-power broadcasters switch to digital.  Full-power TV broadcasters switch from analog to 100 percent digital broadcasts on February 17, 2009.

Maximum Service Television (MSTV) 22nd Annual Fall Television Conference
Keynote Speech of NTIA Acting Assistant Secretary Meredith Attwell Baker
(As Prepared)

Monday, September 22, 2008

Introduction

Thank you, David, for that introduction.  It is an honor to be here today and participate in this exchange of views and insights on perhaps the most significant achievement in the evolution of television broadcasting technology.

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today on behalf of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regarding the transition to digital television (DTV) and NTIA’s implementation of the TV Converter Box Coupon Program (Coupon Program). Educating Americans about their options when full-power television stations cease analog broadcasting on February 17, 2009, and administering an efficient and consumer friendly Coupon Program have been top priorities for NTIA over the past eight and one-half months.