**Written Statement**

**Of**

**The Honorable Kevin J. Martin**

**Chairman**

**Federal Communications Commission**

**Before the**

**United States Senate**

**Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation**

**April 8, 2008**

Good morning Chairman Inouye, Vice Chairman Stevens, and Members of the
Committee. Thank you for inviting me here today to update you on the
status of the digital transition.

> []{.mark}

On February 17, 2009, all full power television stations in this country
will stop broadcasting in analog, and broadcast exclusively in digital,
as mandated by Congress in the Digital Television and Public Safety Act
of 2005. A successful digital transition will depend upon minimizing the
burdens placed on consumers and maximizing their ability to benefit from
it.

The DTV transition will be a historic moment in the evolution of TV.
Television viewers will be able to enjoy movie quality picture and sound
and potentially new programming choices. It also will allow us to
significantly improve public safety communications and will usher in a
new era of advanced wireless services such as the widespread deployment
of wireless broadband.

According to recent data from the Consumer Electronics Association and
the National Association of Broadcasters, consumer awareness of the
transition has grown. It is up 80% from 41% consumer awareness in August
2006 to 74% consumer awareness in January 2008, according to CEA, and
NAB reports it has more than doubled since 2007. And recent surveys
published by NAB and Consumers Union found 79% and 64% of consumers were
aware of the transition respectively. More recently (in March), the
Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) issued the findings to
a survey it conducted in February indicating that consumer awareness of
the transition increased from 51% to 76% in just three months (November
2007 to February 2008). In addition APTS finds that: "Roughly 62 percent
of \... over-the-air consuming households who are aware of the
transition indicated that they would buy a converter box or digital TV
set between now and when the transition takes effect\..." which is up
dramatically since November 2006, when only "28 percent of over-the-air
households said they would take those options."

That more and more viewers are aware of the transition is a step in the
right direction. However, we still have more work to do. Specifically,
the Consumers Union also found that 74% of consumers have "major
misconceptions" about the impact of the transition on them. In other
words, too many Americans remain confused about what they need to do to
prepare for it. And APTS finds that "17.5 percent of over-the-air
consumers who are aware of the transition 'don't know' what they will do
and roughly 10 percent said they would 'do nothing.'" Taken together,
these surveys are valuable research tools to better guide our education
and outreach efforts over the next ten months.

This recently released data also demonstrates that facilitating a
successful DTV transition is an enormous undertaking. And it is one
which no single entity, public or private, can achieve alone. Rather it
requires the commitment and cooperation of government, industry and
consumer groups. We have made that commitment and are actively working
with these important stakeholders.

In February, I participated in an event marking one year before the
transition at a local Best Buy store which sells digital televisions and
is currently selling digital to analog converter boxes. Commerce
Secretary Gutierrez, Meredith Baker and I were joined there by top
representatives of the nation's broadcasters, cable operators, and the
consumer electronics industry. We are working together, along with
others inside and outside of government, in an unprecedented
public-private partnership to educate consumers throughout the country.
Today's hearing is a welcome opportunity to discuss our work with all of
our DTV partners both in terms of outreach and education and necessary
regulatory steps to ensure all Americans can share the benefits of this
historic digital transition**.**

**UPDATE ON BROADCASTERS TRANSITION TO DIGITAL**

Last August, the Commission adopted the final DTV table of allotments
based on the channel elections made by the full power broadcast
stations. This order provided virtually all (over 99%) of the television
stations across the country with their final channel assignments for
broadcasting in digital following the DTV transition. By finalizing
broadcasters' channel allotments, the Commission helped ensure that
broadcasters could begin making final preparations for their own
conversion.

Nearly two-thirds of full power stations (1180) will remain on the same
channel they are currently using for digital service. Most of these
stations, over 1030, have completed construction and are already
providing full service to their viewers. The remainder, roughly 150, are
working on completing construction of their full service facilities.
One-third of full power stations, (roughly 635), are changing channels
for their operation after the transition and are currently filing
construction permit applications, ordering equipment, and scheduling
tower crews.

In December of 2007, we also concluded the Third DTV Periodic Review.
This Order adopted the procedures and rules to guide broadcasters
through the end of the transition. Among other important decisions, this
order adopted the interference standard for post-transition applications
and forecast the date, later this year, when the Commission will
consider requests from broadcasters to expand their service area.

In the Third DTV Periodic Review, the Commission recognized that
stations will need flexibility to complete the transition. Consequently
we adopted procedures that will allow broadcasters to adjust their
buildout according to their needs and the needs of their viewers. For
example, we will consider requests from broadcasters that find it
necessary to reduce analog service before the transition date, but they
will be required to inform their viewers well in advance of any
reductions.

In addition to getting the proper rules in place, it is important that
broadcasters' progress be carefully monitored. Accordingly, to enable
the Commission to closely track broadcasters' progress toward completing
their transition, we required each station to file a report on the
status of the construction of its post transition facility. All stations
have submitted the first such report, and over 1,000 indicated that they
were completely finished with their DTV transition. Broadcasters are
required to update the Commission with any changes to their status as
events warrant. In the Third Periodic, the Commission committed to send
Congress a full report on broadcasters' DTV build-out in August.
Broadcasters that have not completed their transition must report again
by October 20, 2008**.**

[]{.mark}

**CARRIAGE OF DIGITAL SIGNALS**

Much of the focus of our consumer education efforts has been on the
approximately 15% of the homes who rely on over-the-air broadcast
signals.  These efforts have presumed that subscribers to cable and
satellite will continue to be able to receive digital broadcast signals
just as they do analog broadcast signals today.  It is critical to note,
however, that our rules needed to be modified to clarify that cable and
satellite companies were required to carry digital broadcast signals to
their customers just as they do the analog broadcast signals today.  Our
goal with both of these Orders was not to expand carriage but rather to
ensure that the broadcasters' switch from analog to digital was not used
as an excuse to stop carrying the broadcasters' signal in a format that
could be viewed by all subscribers, including analog cable subscribers. 

Last fall, the Commission adopted an order that guarantees that analog
cable subscribers will not be left in the cold once broadcasters ceased
broadcasting in analog. Specifically, the Commission took action to
ensure that after the transition, cable operators will continue to make
every broadcast station's signal viewable, as the statute requires. As a
result, we significantly reduced the number of Americans potentially
needing a converter box to watch broadcast stations post-transition.
Making sure the almost 35 million households that subscribe to analog
cable will be able to continue to watch broadcast television after the
transition as they did before allows us to focus our energies on
assisting the nearly 15 million households that rely exclusively on
over-the-air signals.

The Commission recently adopted an order that will enable satellite
subscribers to receive digital broadcast signals, as well. The law had
required that when a satellite operator chooses to carry any local
broadcast signals, it must carry all full power local broadcast signals
in that market. The item recently adopted clarifies that, in such a
"local-into-local" market, where a full power television station is
broadcasting only in digital, the satellite operator must carry that
digital signal upon request. This clarification is critical to ensuring
that satellite customers, like cable customers, will continue to receive
the same broadcast stations they saw the day before the transition on
the day after the transition.

**ENFORCEMENT**

The Commission's DTV-related enforcement efforts have focused on
protecting consumers from unknowingly buying televisions that won't
receive broadcast stations following the transition. Specifically, we
are enforcing three rules: 1) the requirement to label any remaining
televisions with analog-only tuners; 2) the prohibition on the
importation and shipment of television receivers without integrated
digital tuners; and 3) the requirement that the V-Chip functions with
the digital technology.

With respect to the Commission's labeling requirement, the Commission
has, as of April 7, 2008, inspected 2176 retail stores and 36 websites
and issued 347 citations notifying retailers of violations for failing
to comply with our requirements. Because retailers are not licensees, we
must give them a citation prior to issuing a Notice of Apparent
Liability (NAL). In July 2007, we circulated to the Commissioners'
offices NALs against seven of the largest retailers. In October 2007, we
circulated another seven NALs against retailers. All 14 of these NALs,
which contain fines totaling nearly

\$5 million in the aggregate, are currently scheduled to be considered
at our April open meeting later this week.    In addition to these 14
NALs, the Enforcement Bureau has issued another seven NALs worth an
additional \$104,000.  It is my hope that through our vigorous
enforcement actions, retailers will take concrete actions to avoid
consumer confusion as the digital transition draws near.

In addition to our labeling investigations, we are continuing to ensure
that no manufacturers are importing and shipping analog-only television
receivers and equipment.  We have issued NALs against two companies -
Syntax Brillian Corp. (approx. \$2.9 million) and Regent USA, Inc.
(\$63,650) - for apparent violation of our rules in this area.  One of
these companies has already paid the fine and a forfeiture order with
respect to the other company is scheduled to be considered at the
Commission\'s April agenda meeting.    In March, we circulated an NAL
against an additional manufacturer and this item is also on the agenda
for the April meeting. 

Finally, we are ensuring that the digital tuners comply with the V-Chip
regulations. As you know, the Commission's rules require digital
television manufacturers to include the V-Chip in their equipment and to
ensure that their devices can adjust to changes in the content advisory
system. We began investigating allegations that some manufacturers were
not complying with our rules. As a result of these investigations we
released an NAL against Funai Corporation. In October 2007, we
circulated NALs against an additional seven manufacturers. Nine NALs,
which contain fines totaling over \$6.5 million, are scheduled to be
considered at the Commission's April agenda meeting later this week.

In addition, FCC Field agents soon will begin to visit retailer stores
to assess their employee training and consumer education efforts
regarding the DTV transition.

Swift enforcement of all our DTV-related rules is critical to protecting
consumers and reducing potential confusion. Our activities in this area
will continue to be a priority during the next 10 months.

**CONSUMER EDUCATION AND OUTREACH**

In order to educate consumers properly, all parties involved in the
transition - - the FCC, NTIA, the broadcasters, the cable industry,
satellite, manufacturers, retailers, consumer groups - -need to work
together to educate consumers.

I commend the industry for the consumer education campaigns that they
have initiated. Specifically, the National Association of Broadcasters
(NAB) launched a \$700 million campaign that includes, among other
things, television spots, 30 minute education programs about DTV and a
100-day countdown to the February 17, 2009 deadline. In addition, the
National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) launched a
\$200 million campaign that includes, among other things, sending
customer communication "tool kits" to all their cable systems
nationwide, and distributing brochures about the transition at community
and public events.

In February, the Commission adopted an Order that requires commercial
and noncommercial full power broadcasters to provide on-air information
to their viewers about the DTV transition by compliance with one of
three alternative sets of rules. Although the sets of requirements are
distinct, all require PSAs and the Commission found that they each
entail a similar level of commitment and engagement on the part of
broadcasters. For example, where the first option calls for more
frequent PSAs, the second calls for longer ones, and the third for the
same total amount of education but more flexibility regarding PSA
length. All plans require quarterly reporting of both mandatory and
voluntary outreach and education efforts. This will allow the Commission
not only to monitor compliance, but also to stay informed of the
creative approaches being taken by disparate broadcasters all over the
country, and continue to coordinate transition education efforts.

The item also requires MVPDs to provide monthly inserts about the DTV
transition in their customer billing statements. Phone companies
participating in the Low Income Federal Universal Service Program also
must provide notice of the transition to their low income customers and
potential customers. The item also requires manufacturers of television
receivers and related devices to provide notice to consumers of the
transition's impact on that equipment. In addition, we require the
partners listed on the Commission's dtv.gov website such as NAB, NCTA,
CEA and CERC, as well as the winners of the 700 MHZ auction, to provide
the Commission with quarterly updates on their consumer education
efforts. Finally, the item states that we will work with the National
Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) to ensure that the
retailers participating in the converter box program are appropriately
training their employees and informing consumers.

In addition to our DTV Consumer Education item, the Commission is
actively and directly promoting consumer awareness of the upcoming
transition through its own education and outreach efforts.

The FCC\'s consumer outreach effort places an emphasis on consumers who
receive their television signals \"over-the-air\" and on those who are
hard to reach and may be unaware of the upcoming transition, including
senior citizens; non-English speaking and minority communities; people
with disabilities; low-income individuals; and people living in rural
and tribal areas.

We have been forging partnerships, participating in media events, and
attending conferences, to get the word out.

For example, in the beginning of July, DTV education posters will be
displayed in all 34,000 post offices across the nation. The United
States Postal Service estimates that an average of 9 million people pass
through their post office lobbies each day.

We have also secured commitments from 25 states, the District of
Columbia and Puerto Rico to display DTV materials in 1100 Department of
Motor Vehicle locations. Specifically, we have secured commitments with
Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho,
Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada,
New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island,
South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, West
Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The FCC also distributed DTV transition awareness information that is
being provided to all federal government employees. We estimate that
this message will reach over 2.5 million federal employees throughout
the country.

In addition, we have identified and contacted 150 mayoral offices in
areas of the country with high concentrations of over-the-air
households, to help them educate consumers in their communities. These
efforts have thus far resulted in 29 cities making specific commitments
ranging from posting and distributing DTV information in public
locations and at events and conferences, to including information in
newsletters and other publications, and establishing links to our
dtv.gov website, and other efforts unique to their communities. For
example, the Mayor's Office in Great Falls, Montana has requested 21,000
DTV flyers from us to send to their utility customers along with their
utility bills.

We also reached out to the country's major professional sports leagues
and have received offers to help promote the transition. The National
Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the
National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Baseball (MLB) and NASCAR all
agreed to help raise awareness of the transition among their fans. For
example, the NHL has agreed to run ten 30 second PSAs per day until the
transition date on their cable channel the NHL Network.

Since the last time I appeared before you, Congress has allocated
additional money to the Commission to spend on our consumer education
efforts. We intend to put these resources to good use as these
additional funds will allow the Commission to expand upon its current
consumer outreach and education plan.

In February, a contract was awarded to Ketchum to support a broad range
of consumer education services, including media services, publications,
and distribution, that will assist and complement the FCC\'s ongoing
work on educating all American consumers about the digital television
transition. Ketchum has provided design recommendations to make our DTV
messaging, including DTV.gov, more consumer-friendly. Other efforts
through Ketchum will include billboards in targeted markets, grocery
store outreach, and production of television and radio Public Service
Announcements. Ketchum arranged a Satellite Media Tour in February on
local television news around the country in states such as Hawaii,
Missouri, Texas and Florida to spread the message about the transition.
From those seventeen interviews, which were aired between February 22
and March 2, Ketchum reported more than one million audience
impressions. Ketchum will be arranging similar interviews throughout the
transition to continue our consumer education efforts.

As I mentioned, we also know that some consumers will be
disproportionately impacted by the transition or are harder to reach
than the population at large. Therefore we have been taking specific
steps to reach these groups. I would like to take a few minutes to
describe our efforts targeted at each of these five communities.

[Senior Citizens:]{.underline}

Senior citizens are more likely to have analog television sets and rely
exclusively on over- the-air broadcasting. We have partnered with
organizations that specifically serve this harder to reach population.
Last September, we presented two DTV education sessions at the national
AARP convention in Boston, and we have plans to make similar
presentations at this year's convention in Washington, DC. In addition,
late last fall, I was interviewed about the transition on AARP radio
which is broadcast on 170 outlets nationwide reaching more than
1,000,000 people. I was also interviewed for, and quoted in the
January/February issue of AARP's widely circulated Magazine, which has a
circulation of 23.5 million. AARP is also regularly including stories on
the DTV Transition in their Monthly Bulletins. Further, AARP will be
distributing DTV information at a series of eight "road show" events
they will hold around the country from June to September of this year.

In addition to working with AARP, we have also been working with other
senior organizations as well. For example, I taped a PSA for Retirement
Living TV which reaches nearly 30 million homes nationwide. Also I
participated in a story about the transition for the Erickson Tribune,
which is distributed to residents in their retirement communities and is
read by more than 6 million people. We are also pleased to be partnering
with The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A) to
cosponsor DTV awareness sessions during the coming year in conjunction
with their 655 area offices throughout the nation. This is a useful
opportunity to educate caregivers, social workers and others who care
for the elderly in their communities.

In addition to working with these organizations, we have and continue to
set up partnerships with many State Aging Offices. As a result of our
efforts, 26 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have
agreed to conduct DTV outreach with the FCC in varying capacities,
including distributing DTV information at conferences and events.

Commission staff located in field offices throughout the country are
also working on DTV transition education and outreach. Starting last
year, FCC field agents have held DTV Awareness Sessions and distributed
information to senior centers, libraries and other local venues
frequented by older Americans. Through the work of our field agents, we
have been able to reach these consumers in a total of 44 states --
ranging from Alaska to Florida. We have already distributed information
to over 3033 senior centers, and 985 community centers, which frequently
include large numbers of seniors, and given nearly 589 presentations
with 113 more scheduled in the days ahead.

The FCC also held a DTV Workshop focusing on seniors at FCC Headquarters
on November 8, 2007. It consisted of two panels discussing the
transition's effect on seniors plus exhibits hosted by other government
and industry organizations. Based on the discussions and the
relationships formed at that Workshop, we reached out to faith-based
organizations, provided them with consumer education materials on the
transition, and continue to follow up with them to answer questions on
the transition.

And I\'m pleased to announce that on May 28, 2008, along with
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, we will be hosting a DTV Town Hall
Meeting for seniors in DC. We are working in conjunction with AARP, the
DC Office of Aging, the NAB, and the National Caucus and Center for the
Black Aged. The expected turnout is over 300 seniors from the District's
Aging community.

[Non-English Speakers and Minorities:]{.underline}

We also know that the Hispanic community disproportionately relies on
over-the-air television. Of the approximately 14.3 million
broadcast-only homes, about 16.5% are headed by persons of Hispanic
origin.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has agreed to join the Commission in
conducting DTV awareness sessions at member chambers in the 15 U.S
cities with the largest number of Hispanic TV homes. In addition, we
have partnered with Univision to hold DTV awareness sessions at Town
Hall meetings designed to educate members of its Spanish speaking
audience. Through these partnerships, we will reach cities that are home
to over 80% of Hispanic communities.

Additionally, we have taped several on-air interviews regarding the
digital transition for Univision's news and public affairs programs
airing both in local markets and nationally. These interviews were done
by Keyla Hernandez-Ulloa the Commission staffer hired to spearhead
outreach to the Hispanic community. We have been discussing the switch
to digital on other Hispanic media outlets as well. For example, I did
an interview with the Hispanic Communications Network, which produces
material for radio, television, print and Internet, that will be
distributed to its 230 member radio network in the United States and
Puerto Rico.

We have also been working with other foreign language media outlets as
well. To that end we have partnered with KTSF, a major Asian TV station
in San Francisco. They have distributed 5,000 English and Chinese DTV
one-page flyers at their booth during the Chinese New Year celebration
events in late February. Approximately 100,000 people attended this
festival. Also in conjunction with the California Public Utilities
Commission, on May 22, 2008, we are participating with KTSF on a DTV
educational panel for over 100 community leaders in San Francisco.

[]{.mark}

The FCC held a DTV Workshop focusing on non-English speakers and
minorities on December 4, 2007. As a result of that Workshop, we will be
working with the American Libraries Association to conduct a nationally
available Internet seminar or "webinar" about the DTV transition today
for librarians in the Webjunction Spanish Outreach Program. These
librarians provide library services to Spanish speakers. Also, as a
result of input received at the workshop, we translated our DTV one-page
flyer into Hmong and Arabic (in addition to English, Spanish,
Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, French and Russian).

In addition, we plan to participate in a number of national conventions
representing non-English speaking and minority consumers in 2008. They
include the 78^th^ Annual Conference for League of United Latin American
Citizens, the Annual National Hispanic Leadership Conference and the
National Council of La Raza Conference, the NAACP Convention, the
National Urban League Conference and the Organization of Chinese
Americans National Conference.

[People with Disabilities:]{.underline}

The Commission is continuing a multi-faceted approach in informing
people with disabilities about the DTV transition. On February 28, 2008,
we hosted a DTV Workshop dedicated to issues facing people with
disabilities. The program featured panelists from numerous organizations
whose missions are to work directly with, and advocate on behalf of,
individuals with hearing, vision, speech, physical, and intellectual
disabilities. It elicited several concrete suggestions that we have
implemented.

For instance, in response to the panelists' suggestion that we develop
"how to" information related to the transition, we have drafted a
step-by-step guide on how to install a digital-to-analog converter box,
and posted it on the Commission's DTV Web site,
[www.DTV.gov](http://www.DTV.gov/). Similarly, in response to general
questions at the Workshop concerning the availability of video
description (descriptions for people who are blind or have other vision
disabilities about the setting and/or action in a program when
information about these visual elements is not contained in the audio
portion of the program), we are in the process of drafting a consumer
advisory specifically addressing that issue.

Another suggestion from panelists was that we utilize national service
organizations to inform consumers about the transition. Indeed, we have
initiated a partnership with the Corporation for National and Community
Service, and with the United States Department of Agriculture's 4-H
office. Finally, we will build upon our workshop by speaking directly to
organizations that work with and on behalf of people with disabilities,
at their meetings and conferences. For example, we are planning to
attend the Summer Quarterly Meeting in Seattle of the National Council
on Disabilities, which was represented at the February 28 Workshop.

I am also pleased to report that [www.DTV.gov](http://www.DTV.gov/) now
features a DTV educational video in American Sign Language for the deaf
and hard of hearing community. Our most commonly utilized publications
are available in Braille and audio format and all of our fact sheets and
advisories are available in large print. In addition, we have two
specific publications addressing DTV and closed captioning, "Closed
Captioning for Digital Television," and Closed Captioning and
Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes for Viewing Free Over-the-Air
Programming on Analog Televisions." The Commission also has a dedicated
email box for closed captioning questions at <closedcaptioning@fcc.gov>.

Commission staff continues to attend conferences to distribute DTV
educational materials to people with disabilities. For example, the FCC
has attended and provided DTV materials at the National Black Deaf
Advocates Conference, the Vocational and Educational Services for
Individuals with Disabilities Conference and the Emergency Planning and
Response for Special Needs and Disabilities Conference.

In all, we are collaborating broadly with disability advocacy groups and
outreach organizations. For instance, the Hearing Loss Association of
America ("HLAA") is already linking to our DTV informational materials
on its website, which receives approximately one million hits per month.
In addition, HLAA has committed to publish later this spring an article
on DTV and closed captioning in *Hearing Loss Magazine,* which is
estimated to reach a readership of 200,000 people. Likewise, later this
spring the article will be published in the "Blue Book" Resource Guide
of Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. ("TDI"), with a readership of
up to an estimated 100,000 people, and eventually posted online at TDI's
website, which receives approximately 88,000 hits per month.

Furthermore, HLAA has 200 local and regional chapters around the
country, and we plan to conduct DTV Awareness Sessions at their monthly
meetings throughout the course of the year. We recently conducted one in
Yuma, Arizona on March 11, one in New Orleans on March 15, and we have
another 16 scheduled through the fall. We also plan to utilize our
Enforcement Bureau\'s Field Office staff and CGB staff to distribute DTV
informational and educational materials at HLAA\'s \"Walk4Hearing\"
events across the country taking place this spring through the fall.

[Low Income Consumers:]{.underline}

The Commission is also taking specific steps to inform low-income
consumers about the transition to all digital broadcasting. We have
forged a partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services to
assist the FCC in disseminating DTV material to target populations,
including low-income consumers**.** HRSA (Health Resources and Services
Administration) has forwarded FCC DTV information to approximately 4,000
grantee organizations, and the message also went out to groups like the
state Primary Care Offices and Primary Care Associations and the
National Association for Community Health Centers - organizations which
represent many more non-Federally funded health centers and clinics
nationwide. HRSA asked these organizations to post and distribute our
DTV flyer in their clinics and to distribute information to patients.
ACF (Administration for Children and Families) is distributing
information through their 1,600 Head Start grantees, covering more than
18,000 centers around the country. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA) is distributing DTV flyers to
approximately 50,000 individuals each month who call requesting
information. Other HHS agencies are also distributing our flyers,
displaying our posters and linking to our dtv.gov Web page.

We have contacted social worker associations in each of the 50 states,
plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and thus far have
received commitments from over 20 of them to assist us in getting the
word out about the DTV transition. These include publishing DTV
information in their monthly newsletters, distributing DTV materials at
events and conferences, and establishing conspicuous links to our
website, [www.dtv.gov](blocked::http://www.dtv.gov)., so that visitors
to their web pages can obtain more detailed information about the DTV
transition and the steps they may need to take to prepare for it.

We have also reached out to representatives of the state health
departments in each of the 50 states and U.S. territories, and thus far
have received commitments from 8 of them to assist in distributing DTV
awareness materials to the consumers they interact with on a regular
basis.  These include, for example, posting DTV materials in their
service and waiting areas, distributing our fact sheets and other
publications at events attended by consumers, inserting DTV information
in mailings to consumers, and establishing conspicuous links to our
website, [[www.dtv.gov]{.underline}](blocked::http://www.dtv.gov) so
that visitors to their web pages can obtain more detailed information
about the DTV transition and the steps they may need to take to prepare
for it.

In late February, we posted a simplified DTV one-page flyer on our Web
site, and have offered it for distribution to all our partners. This was
developed in response to requests for a more streamlined, non technical,
and easy to read DTV informational flyer.

In addition, on April 1, 2008, the FCC sponsored a DTV Consumer
Education Workshop focusing on reaching low-income consumers. As a
result of our panel discussions, we received several positive
suggestions and offers of assistance from our panelists on how best to
reach members of their constituencies with information on the DTV
transition. We will be providing the organizations represented with DTV
informational materials such as our posters, flyers, and fact sheets
that can be displayed at their events and facilities throughout the
country. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association offered to
provide DTV information to low income consumers who sign up for their
program. We also received a suggestion to submit translated DTV articles
to local foreign language publications in cities that have high
concentrations of foreign language speakers. Often, these publications
are the primary source of news and public interest information for these
consumers. In addition, as noted earlier, all eligible
telecommunications carriers ("ETCs") that receive federal universal
service funds are now required to provide DTV transition information in
the monthly bills of their Lifeline/Link-Up customers.

[Rural and Tribal Consumers:]{.underline}

The Commission is also taking specific steps to inform people living in
rural areas and on tribal lands about the transition to all digital
broadcasting. For example, the Commission recently established a
partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture's 4-H
office. On April 1, 2008, the FCC, with NTIA and USDA, participated in
the annual 4-H Youth leadership conference and presented two "Train the
Trainer" seminars to approximately 100 youth members of 4-H chapters
from the various states. FCC staff provided information which these
youth representatives and their colleagues back home can use to conduct
awareness sessions in their communities. In addition, each participating
representative will receive a "DTV Outreach Tool Kit" containing more
extensive materials for conducting their outreach sessions. We
understand that the DTV outreach that will be performed by these young
community leaders will assist them in meeting the community service
requirements of their 4-H membership. Another important component of our
partnership with USDA is the placement of DTV transition educational
materials at state and county fairs throughout the country via
sponsoring 4-H chapters and local extension service professionals.

We also have forged a partnership with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
This collaboration has resulted in the distribution of DTV materials
throughout Indian Country, utilizing all 50 of their nationwide area
offices. Commission staff has attended and provided DTV materials at the
National Conference of American Indians, and the Rural TeleCon
Conference, with many additional events planned for this year such as
participation in the National Association of Development Organizations
in Alaska Conference and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
Annual Conference.

So far this year, we have presented at the United South and Eastern
Tribes (USET) Annual Impact Week, in Arlington, VA and have distributed
DTV materials at NCAI's Executive Council Meeting, in Washington, DC. We
are also planning to sponsor an Indian Telecommunications Initiative
(ITI) in Salt Lake City later this year.

Finally, on January 31, 2008, we held a workshop at Commission
headquarters focused on reaching rural consumers and consumers living on
tribal lands. We received many useful suggestions at this workshop on
how to better reach these communities. For instance, our DTV one page
informational flyer is being translated into Navajo, one of the
most-spoken Native American languages in the United States.

**CONCLUSION**

The Commission is devoting significant resources to facilitate a smooth
transition. Nearly every Bureau and Office at the Commission has been
involved in this effort including our field offices throughout the
country.

We intend to take whatever actions are necessary to minimize the
potential burden the digital transition could impose on consumers and
maximize their ability to benefit from it. The next 10 months will
undoubtedly be challenging. Nevertheless, it is my hope that through the
combined efforts of government, industry and advocacy groups American
consumers will reap the rewards that the digital transition has to
offer.