Senate Appropriations Committee Proposes $90M for More DTV Education
NTIA would oversee the total $650M from stimulus plan
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/26/2009 3:17:11 PM
Additional money for the DTV-to-analog converter box coupon program would come out of the $8.75 billion broadband stimulus portion of the Obama administration's economic recovery package and would include $90 million for more DTV education.
That is according to a copy of the Senate Appropriations proposal for how to divvy up that money.
According to the proposal, the National Telecommunications & Information Administration would oversee the $650 million, with $90 million of that available for education and outreach, including helping viewers with setting up converter boxes.
NTIA can turn over some or all of that $90 million to the Federal Communications Commission if it decides to, and $2 million of the $650 million has to be turned over to Commerce's Inspector General for audits and oversight of the spending of the rest of the money.
Administrative costs are capped at 3% of that $650 million.
Both the Senate and House are currently considering bills to either fix the converter box-coupon backlog or move the DTV transition date from Feb. 17 to June 12, or both.
The Appropriations proposal would also set aside $200 million computer capacity in colleges and libraries, $250 million to encourage broadband adoption, and $350 million for broadband mapping to identify underserved or un-served areas.
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Oops! I think you meant $13.85 per home. Still it is money that could be better spent. If they have not heard about the transition it is simply because they are not paying attention.
Bob Ford - 1/26/2009 4:29:15 PM EST -
I havev been reading that there are 6.5 Million homes that are not DTV ready. Assuming that my recall is correct. Are we then spending $90 Million to educate 6.5 Million Homes about DTV? That is $13.85 Million per home. You have got to be kidding me.
Is this for real?
Jeffrey Armstrong - 1/26/2009 3:45:21 PM EST
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