Anthony G. Wilhelm, PhD of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration says that the Commerce Department has given 40 million coupons for the DTV (Digital Television)converter box to 21 million households. To date, 16 million have been used in stores (0:22).
Dr. Wilhelm, Director of Consumer Education, Public Information, and the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for the U.S. Department of Commerce, describes the benefits to emergency and social services and expanded consumer technology and communications uses that the switch to digital broadcast television on February 17, 2009 will provide. Mr. Chessen, a Senior Legal and Media Advisor, emphasizes the new capabilities provided consumers by the converter box that is needed to update analog TV sets to digital, which is available through a government coupon program from www.dtv2009.gov.
