Obama Asks for DTV Deadline Extension

President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team today sent a letter to Congress asking them to delay the upcoming Feb. 17th deadline for the nation’s TV stations to convert to digital technology, a move originally intended to free up spectrum for public safety communications. The transition has been nearly 10 years in the making, and has suffered through several previous delays. Now the Obama team says that inadequate federal funding for converter boxes and conversion education, a recommendation also made today by Consumers Union, a citizens’ watchdog group. The FCC orchestrated a complex move of TV and other users that would eventually leave the 700 MHz band free for assignment to public safety. Right now, this spectrum is blocked every major metro area by TV broadcasts. Download (pdf) the Obama request letter here. Update: A group of public safety organizations, including NENA and APCO, wrote the Obama team asking that frequencies assigned, requested or reserved for public safety not be part of any deadline extension. [read the letter]

Here is the letter that NENA, APCO et al wrote:

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Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International
International Association of Chiefs of Police
International Association of Fire Chiefs
National Public Safety Telecommunications Council

January 9, 2009

President Barack Obama
Washington, DC 20001

Dear President Obama:

We understand that you have recently indicated your support for a delay in the digital television (DTV) transition, now sheduled to end on February 17, 2009. We strongly recommend that any such extension exclude television channels occupying spectrum that will be used for public safety communications.

An important benefit of the DTV transition is that it clears spectrum in the 700 MHz band for new interoperable radio communications systems for law enforcement, fire, emergency medical and other public safety agencies. All fifty states have already received licenses to operate on portions of the new spectrum, and many agencies across the nation have already acquired radios capable of operating in the 700 MHz band. There is also at least one and perhaps a couple other instances in which a public safety agency has received or is currently seeking special FCC approval to utilize spectrum on a television channel being relinquished as a result of the DTV transition.

Therefore, we ask that any legislation implementing a delay in the DTV transition include exemptions for channels that have been reallocated, approved, or are pending approval for public safety communications.

Respectfully,

Chris Fischer, President, APCO
1426 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Chief Russell B. Laine, President, IACP
515 N. Washington, Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-2357

Chief Larry J. Grorud, President, IAFC
4025 Fair Ridge Drive, Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22033-2868

Ralph A. Haller, Chairman, NPSTC
8191 Southpark Lane, Number 205, Littleton, CO 80120-4641

Marilyn Ward, Executive Director
National Public Safety Telecommunications Council, NPSTC
318 Palmer Drive, Lexington, SC 29072 – 803.960.4339