Photo: Iowa CIO John Gillispie 

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) will serve as an important public awareness channel for the Federal Communications Commissions as an outreach partner for the digital television transition. After February 17, 2009, full-power television stations will broadcast in digital only. In 1996, the U.S. Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each broadcast TV station so that they could start a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing their analog broadcast channel. Later, Congress mandated that February 17, 2009, would be the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog. The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition. Broadcast stations in all U.S. markets are currently broadcasting in both analog and digital.

John Gillispie, Iowa CIO and NASCIO president, said, "February 2009 will be here sooner than we think. Now is the time for us all to get up to speed on DTV: what is it; what does it mean to me; what do I need to do? We at NASCIO encourage everyone to educate themselves on this important issue."

An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and other first responders). Also, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband). NASCIO supports the analog-to-digital transition and the February 17, 2009 deadline because state and local public safety agencies urgently need this valuable spectrum in order to protect their constituents and communicate effectively during the next natural disaster or terrorist attack.

Otto Doll, South Dakota CIO, said, "Outreach on the DTV transition is important as many of our rural residents and the elderly still get their TV over-the-air. Also, many households have additional TVs not hooked up to cable or satellite -- relying on rabbit ears for reception. Ensuring citizens in cities, rural areas and tribal lands are aware of the pending DTV transition and set-top coupon program is critical to television maintaining its information flow, uninterrupted into our households."

Cable and satellite TV subscribers with analog TVs hooked up to their cable or satellite service should not be affected by the February 17, 2009, cut-off date for full-power analog broadcasting, but should contact their provider to find out anything is needed to be prepared for the February deadline.

There are many sources of information about the digital transition including on the NASCIO Web site but one of the best is the government's Web site. It contains information on what DTV is, questions consumers should ask when purchasing new television sets, what programs are available in DTV, and much more.

NASCIO is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and an effective advocate for technology policies at all levels of government. State members are senior officials from any of the three branches of state government who have executive-level and statewide responsibility for information resource management. Representatives from federal, municipal, and international governments and other state officials participate in the organization as associate members. Private-sector firms and non-profit organizations may join as corporate members.