Viewers who rely on analog television sets and an antenna to watch full-power Broadcast stations, including ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and PBS, will no longer have reception after February 17. That’s when all TV stations across the country will cease analog broadcasting.

Most of these stations already air digital programming in addition to analog. Switching to all digital frees up needed airwaves for first responders, police, fire and other emergency communications, and to sell for new applications. Digital broadcasting also means improved picture and sound quality for television viewers.

In 2007 Nielsen Co. reported 14.3 million U.S. households relied solely on over-the-air broadcasting. Though the deadline looms, millions of homes throughout the nation are still unprepared for the switch. Wisconsin ranks 3rd in the nation for the percentage (23%) of households receiving television solely over the air through an antenna, reports Wisconsin Broadcaster Association President, Michelle Vetterkind.

“That’s a high number. But what we have learned through call banks is that the awareness around the state is huge,” notes Vetterkind, who has been involved in at least 10 call banks with local TV stations throughout Wisconsin since September 2008.

“I think stations are doing an excellent job of making viewers aware of the transition,” she adds. “When we did our first call bank in September, we got questions on why this is happening, where to get the coupon. Now we are answering technical questions.”

Despite the apparent awareness, Vetterkind notes, “There will be people who will not be ready whether it is a month from now or a year from now. Our goal is simply to minimize the confusion.”

After midnight on February 19, 2008, there may be some confusion. From that point on people who watch television on analog sets will need satellite or cable service, or will need to purchase a digital television set or a converter box.

Since January 2008 households could apply for $40 coupons (two per household) through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The federal agency set aside $1.34 billion for a coupon subsidy program to subsidize the cost of the converter box. The boxes, which cost from $40 to $80 dollars, are sold at most electronics retailers. Some concern arose early this year, when the subsidy fund ran dry.

“It has run out of money, but you can still apply for the coupons, and you are put on a waiting list,” notes Vetterkind. “The redemption rate of the coupons is 50% to 60%. Everyday as coupons expire, they put the money back into the pot, and the next set of coupons are sent out.”

Households can apply for coupons online at www.DTV2009.gov or by phone at 1-888-DTV-2009.
Retailer Best Buy has experienced steady sales of the converter boxes since they were made available last year.

“It lulled and it really picked up again over the holidays,” notes Best Buy spokesman, Brian Lucas. “We expect that will continue through the transition date.”

Lucas also expects a rush on the boxes as the transition date approaches. “We hope that we can mitigate the rush somewhat by encouraging people to get out as early as possible,” says Lucas. “And not just to avoid the rush, but to make sure what you get is working, because the digital signals will come into your home in a different way than the analog signals did.”

Lucas suggests you may need to reposition your antenna or move it to a different part of the house. In some cases a rooftop or amplified antenna may be needed.

“Take care of this as soon as possible, so you can troubleshoot those reception issues,” warns Lucas.

Coupons will be mailed on a first come, first served basis as the coupons expire, which is 90 days from the date mailed. According to the NTIA Web site, more than 43 million coupons have been mailed. Of those, only 19 million have been redeemed. Of the 1.5 million coupons mailed in Wisconsin, only 723,000 have been redeemed as of January 6, 2009.

Vetterkind also anticipates last-minute purchases of the converter boxes and is aware of some retailers who have already sold out of the boxes. “I recommend people call the retailer before making a special trip to purchase a converter box,” she advises.

All TVs produced after March 1, 2007 are required to have digital tuners. Retailers selling TVs without the digital tuner must use labels alerting customers that the receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009.

Those who choose to get rid of that old analog set should check out myGreenElectronics.org for disposal options and recycling program locations.

Advances in Telecommunications

A study done in 2007 by the Yankee Group revealed that the majority of small to medium-sized businesses consider Internet Protocol (IP) Telephony strategic to their current and future business success. Forty-one percent of small businesses and 51% of medium businesses surveyed indicated that they plan to deploy IP handsets and services within a 12-month period.

In August, Madison-based telecommunications provider TDS Telecom rolled out its new voice over Internet protocol product, managedIP, which combines voice and data service and enables improved call control and management for businesses.

After testing the product for nearly a year, TDS rolled out managedIP to the Madison/Dane county area and in other metropolitan areas in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois.

This integrated data and voice service is delivered to the business’s premise over a dedicated circuit, explains Al Ripp, TDS market manager. “The brains of the service are located on TDS premises and maintained by TDS personnel. So there really is no upfront capital cost for the customer.”

The managedIP product offers an impressive host of features and functions, including simultaneous ring, which allows the client to set up services so a call rings through simultaneously on an office phone, home phone and cell phone.

Call logs allow sales-oriented businesses to provide greater customer service; and the find-me, follow-me features of the TDS IP system enable easy work station moves or changes.

“All they have to do is unplug their phone and plug it in from a new location, as long as it is wired back to the server, and it rethinks and moves all the call information along with it,” explains Ripp. “It actually saves businesses operating expenses for adds, moves and changes.

Because the voicemail is integrated with the PC, employees can e-mail an actual voice mail message to a colleague.

“So they can hear the customer, exact tone, exact wording,” notes Ripp.

Since managedIP is integrated with Outlook Express, the caller ID will flash on a user’s computer screen when a call is received. If the user chooses to answer the call, she simply clicks on the message to answer it. The phone then switches to hands free, and the user can answer the call.

Another time-saving feature with this IP product is the ability to initiate calls from a Web site. Those calls can be made by simply clicking on the contact number listed on a Web site. As long as the number is in HTML format, the call will automatically be originated.

Internet protocol products like managedIP are ideal for small, medium and large businesses.

“We have been successful in rolling it out to offices with a couple hundred stations,” says Cindy Tomlinson, TDS associate manager of public relations. “Really the mobility it offers employees, the features, the improved customer service – any type of business benefits from it, and our customers cover the whole spectrum.”
Advanced Internet technologies, like voice over Internet protocol, continue to change the way telecommunications companies do business.

“TDS really doesn’t view itself as a telephone company anymore. We really view ourselves as a broadband provider,” says Ripp. “ManagedIP is one product that we are providing that serves a need to our clients, that helps them be more productive and efficient.”

By Leah Call

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