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FCC member Michael Copps came up with a list of steps the Commission should take in response to lessons learned from the analog shutdown in Wilmington, North Carolina. He says that unless the FCC improves its approach to the transition, " 'we face the possibility of enormous consumer disruption Feb. 17, 2009 -- now less than 160 days away.' "
Copps says that the results from Wilmington show that " 'the great majority of residents who sought help in the wake of the switch-over had specific technical problems -- e.g., converter-box-installation issues, antenna or other reception problems -- and sought individualized assistance from the FCC and others.' "
Copps has always felt that the FCC needs to pick up the pace on the DTV transition effort. He says, " 'those concerns persist," and adds, " 'the climb before us strikes me as daunting as ever and time is growing short.' "
Here is the list of Copps' proposals:
1. " 'Conduct additional field testing.
2. Dedicate a special FCC team to the needs of at-risk communities.
3. Ramp up the FCC call center.
4. Prepare comprehensive DTV contingency plans.
5. Create an online DTV consumer forum.
6. Educate consumers on DTV troubleshooting, including antenna issues and the need to "rescan" converter boxes and sets.
7. Ensure that broadcasters meet their construction deadlines.
8. Encourage the rapid deployment of small, battery-powered DTV sets.
9. Find a way to broadcast an analog message to consumers following the transition.' "
Source: Broadcasting & Cable, 09/12/2008
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