# Presentation: 545683

## NTIA Low-Power Television Digital Programs

June 22, 2007  

** **
**June 22, 2007****  **

## Overview

- A. Background
- B. Low-Power Conversion Program (§ 3008)
- B1. Eligible Low-Power Station
- B2. Equipment
- B3. Priority Compensation
- B4. Administrative Procedures &     			     Timetable
- C. Low-Power Upgrade Program (§ 3009)

## 

			 A.  Background

- 			 A.  Background

## Background 

- 				Low-Power Stations
- 	Licensed				6,905
-    Construction Permits		1,381
- 	TOTAL					8,286
- Source: FCC March 2007

## DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT OF 2005(Public Law 109-171 enacted 2/8/2006)
Title III - Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 
Allows analog Low-Power TV broadcasts after the full-power TV February 17, 2009 digital transition deadline (§ 3002)
Creates two low-power digital transition programs (§§ 3008, 3009)

- Title III - Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005
- Allows analog Low-Power TV broadcasts after the full-power TV February 17, 2009 digital transition deadline (§ 3002)
- Creates two low-power digital transition programs (§§ 3008, 3009)

- Background

##  Background  

- New Low-Power Digital TV Transition Programs
- Section 3008 – Low-Power Television and Translator Digital-to-Analog Conversion
- $10 million available starting October 1, 2007, for purchase of digital-to-analog converter devices by eligible stations

##  Background  

- New Low-Power Digital TV Transition Programs
-  Section 3009 – Low-Power Television and Translator Upgrade Program
- $65 million available starting October 1, 2008, to upgrade eligible stations from analog to digital

## Background 

- New Low-Power Digital TV Transition Programs
- The two programs have different objectives and eligibility requirements.
- NTIA urges each Low-Power TV licensee to review information about both programs when planning its station’s digital conversion.

## Background

**	****	****	****	**NTIA’s Goal:
**	**To assist as many qualified stations as possible

## 
	   B.  Low-Power TV               		Conversion 				    Program   (§ 3008)

- 	   B.  Low-Power TV               		Conversion 				    Program   (§ 3008)

## Purpose of the Conversion Program

- “[E]ach eligible low-power television station may receive compensation toward the purchase of a digital-to analog conversion device...
- “that enables it to convert the incoming digital signal of its corresponding full-power television station to analog format...
- “for transmission on the low-power television station’s analog channel.”   [§ 3008(a)].

## 
	B1.  “Each Eligible 
			 Low-Power Station”

- 	B1.  “Each Eligible
- 			 Low-Power Station”

## Eligible Low-Power Station

- 			Eligible Stations  [§ 3008(c)]
- Low-power television broadcast station
- Class A television station
- Television translator station
- Television booster station
- [Note:  both commercial and noncommercial stations are eligible]

## Eligible Low-Power Station

- 	***Broadcasting***** **exclusively in analog format
- 				[§ 3008(c)(1)]
- Must be *broadcasting* on date of application
- With FCC license, *or*
- Under FCC Program/Test Authority

## Eligible Low-Power Station

- 	Broadcasting** *****exclusively*** in analog format 					[§ 3008(c)(1)]
- The following stations may not be eligible:
- Stations broadcasting a digital signal on a companion channel.  (Such stations are not broadcasting *exclusively* in analog.)
- Stations that have flash cut are not broadcasting *exclusively *in analog.

## Eligible Low-Power Station

- 	Stations holding a Construction Permit
- Program is intended to convert operating stations receiving an *analog* full-power TV station.
- Bare construction permits may not be eligible unless the station completes construction and begins broadcasting by September 30, 2007.
- Stations with construction permits should plan to receive their full-power *digital, *not* analog,* station.

## Eligible Low-Power Station

- A station CANNOT have purchased a Digital-to-analog conversion device (DACD) prior to enactment of the Digital Television and Public Safety Act of 2005  (February 8, 2006)  [§ 3008(c)(2)]
- DACD is explained in Equipment Section.

## Summary:  Station Eligibility

- When an application for conversion funding
- is filed, a low-power station:
- Must be broadcasting with a FCC license or program/test authority.
- Must be broadcasting only a analog signal, not on a companion channel.
- Cannot have purchased a digital-to-analog conversion device before 2/8/2006.** **

## 		B2.  Equipment

- The program provides compensation toward the cost of purchasing a digital-to-analog conversion device (DACD):
- “...digital-to-analog conversion device that enables [the station] to convert the incoming digital signal of its corresponding full-power television station to analog format...”  [§ 3008(a)]

## Equipment

- 	“...to convert the incoming digital signal of its corresponding full-power station...”         [§ 3008(a)]
- Equipment must receive/convert the incoming off-air signal of a full-power digital station to analog.
- Equipment cannot be used by a station that receives an analog station in a “daisy chain.”
- Equipment cannot be used by a station that receives baseband video via satellite or microwave.

## Equipment

- NTIA Assistant Secretary
-  “...Shall determine the maximum amount of compensation such a low-power television station may receive based on the average cost of such digital-to-analog conversion devices...But in no case shall such compensation exceed $1,000”  (Conference Report on S. 1932, *Congressional Record*, 12/18/2005, p. H12692 )

## Equipment

- NTIA realizes that many installations vary in complexity and design.
- This program is only intended to support the acquisition of a DACD to convert the off-air signal of a full service digital television station.

## Equipment

- Commonly used systems
- Type 1 – Tuner/receiver that feeds an Analog Translator
- Type 2 – Tuner/receiver that feeds a Microwave which serves other Translators
- Type 3 -  Heterodyne Processor

## Type 1 – Tuner/Receiver Feeds Analog Translator 

- 		        Receive Antenna 	         Transmit Antenna

**Analog signal**

**Analog off-air tuner/receiver**
- (Existing)

**Modulator** (Existing)

**RF Amplifier**
- (Existing)

**Analog RF out**
**On Channel**

**Video out**
**Audio Out**

**RF amplified output on new channel**

## Type 1 – Tuner/Receiver Feeds Analog Translator 

- 		        Receive Antenna 	         Transmit Antenna
-                       **Must be replaced**

**Analog off-air tuner/receiver**
- (Existing)

**Modulator** (Existing)

**RF Amplifier**
- (Existing)

**Analog RF out**
**On Channel**

**Video out**
**Audio Out**

**Digital signal**

**RF amplified output on new channel**

## Type 1 – Tuner/Receiver Feeds Analog Translator 

- 		        Receive Antenna 	         Transmit Antenna

**Digital off-air tuner/receiver**
- (NEW)

**Modulator** (Existing)

**RF Amplifier**
- (Existing)

**Analog RF out**
**On Channel**

**Video out**
**Audio Out**

**NTIA grant**

**Digital signal**

**RF amplified output on new channel**

## Type 2 – Tuner/ReceiverFeeds Microwave 

- 		        Receive Antenna 	         MW  Antenna

**Analogsignal**

**Analog off-air tuner/receiver**
- (Existing)

- Microwave

**Baseband**
**Video out**
**Audio out**

## Type 2 – Tuner/Receiver   Feeds Microwave 

- 		        Receive Antenna 	         MW  Antenna

**Analog off-air tuner/receiver**
- (Existing)

- Microwave

**Baseband Video out**
**Audio out**

**Must be replaced**

**Digital signal**

## Type 2 – Tuner/Receiver   Feeds Microwave 

- 		        Receive Antenna 	         MW  Antenna

**Digital off-air tuner/receiver**
- (NEW)

- Microwave

**Baseband Video out**
**Audio out**

**NTIA grant**

**Digital signal**

## Type 3 – Heterodyne Processor  

- 			Receive Antenna           Transmit Antenna

**Analog signal**

**Heterodyne**

**RF Amplifier**
- (Existing)

- Changes channel from input to output
- (existing)

**Analog RF out**
**On Channel**

**RF amplified output on new channel**

## Type 3 – Heterodyne Processor

- 			Receive Antenna             Transmit Antenna
- 			         **Must be replaced ****	****	****	****	****	****	**

**Heterodyne**

**RF Amplifier**
- (Existing)

- Changes channel from input to output
- (existing)

**Analog RF out**
**On Channel**

**RF amplified output on new channel**

**Digital signal**

## Type 3 – Becomes Tuner/Receiver

- 			**Receive Antenna             Transmit Antenna**
- 		**	**

- Digital Tuner  Receiver

**RF Amplifier**
- (Existing)

**Analog RF out**

**RF amplified output on new channel**

- Modulator
- (NEW)

**Must be added by station**

**NTIA grant**

**Digital signal**

**Digital off-air tuner/receiver**
- (NEW)

## Equipment

**Digital-analog Conversion Device (DACD)**
- Device to pick up digital full power station off-air so it can be converted to analog
- Device must auto reset to designated full power TV station virtual channel (*e.g*.        Ch. 26-3) in event of power failure
- DACD will replace existing Tuner/Receiver or existing Heterodyne Processor
- Average Tuner/Receiver Cost:  $1,000

## Equipment

- 			Other** **possible station** **expenses
- Off-air antenna (if full-power station changes from VHF channel to UHF)
- Installation (depending on local conditions)
- Heterodyne systems may require modulator (in addition to Tuner/Receiver); integrated Tuner/Receiver/Modulator may be available.

## Equipment

**	**To assist as many stations as possible, NTIA may issue awards:
- Tuner/receiver average cost:   $1,000
- Uniform $1,000 award per station
- @ 8,000 stations
- TOTAL AWARDS = $8,000,000

## 
	B3.	Priority Compensation

- 	B3.	Priority Compensation

## Priority Compensation

- Section 3008(a) requires that priority compensation be given when either:
- A license is held by a non-profit corporation;
- 	*OR*
- A station serves a rural area of fewer than 10,000 viewers.

## Priority Compensation

- 			Non profit ***corporations***
- Usually organized under IRS § 501(c)       [26 U.S.C. § 501(c) excluding § 501(c) (4)]
- Usually does not refer to governmental units unless the unit has a separate corporate charter

## Priority Compensation

- 			Stations that serve rural areas
- 			of fewer than 10,000 viewers
- NTIA may use the number of viewers in the station’s protected coverage area (as calculated by the FCC’s 50/50 contour) as the basis for Priority Compensation

## Priority Compensation

- 				Implementation
- Priority Period  (10/1/2007-12/31/2007)
- NTIA will only process applications that qualify for priority compensation.
- Open Period   (1/1/2008-2/17/2009
- NTIA will process all applications.

## Priority Compensation

- General methods of addressing priority compensation:
- 		Self certification of non-profit status
- 		Self certification of population covered
- NTIA may request documentation of the non-profit status or population coverage.

## 
B4.  Administrative  
		   Procedures and       	   Timetable    

- B4.  Administrative
- 		   Procedures and       	   Timetable

## Administrative Procedures

**	****	****	**Application Process
- 	1.	Prepare application electronically
- 	2.  	Print and sign application
- 	3.	Have bank officer sign payment     	enrollment form (SF-3881)
- 	4.	Mail application and bank form

## Administrative Procedures

- Applications must be prepared electronically as well as printed and signed
- Applicants must submit the following:
- Licensee Name (including DUNS number)
- Station call sign, city of license, FCC facility #
- Identification of corresponding full-power TV station

## Administrative Procedures

- Applicant must certify that the Station:
- Is licensed by FCC (*or* has filed on____ (date))
- Is broadcasting e*xclusively* in analog, and
- Did not purchase digital-to-analog device prior to February 8, 2006
- IF  PRIORITY  COMPENSATION  REQUESTED:
- Is operated by non-profit corporation, or
- Serves a rural area of less than 10,000 viewers

## Administrative Procedures

- All Applications must be signed by applicant
- SF-3881 must be signed by bank official
- Application and SF-3881 must be postmarked no later than February 17, 2009
- Electronic payments will be made to applicant’s bank.

## Administrative Procedures

- Applicant must comply with Department of Commerce Standard Terms and Conditions for grants
- NTIA reserves the right to request documentation regarding any information supplied in a application
- Applicants are requested to complete optional information form for the Digital Upgrade Program (section 3009)

## Administrative Procedures

- 				Timetable
- Publish Notice of Availability of Funds
- September 2007
- Accept applications for Priority Period
- October 2007-December 2007
- Accept applications during Open Period
- January 2008-February 17, 2009

##  Section 3009
Low-Power TV
Upgrade Program

- Low-Power TV
- Upgrade Program

##   Low-Power TV Upgrade Program

- 				Overview
*Reimbursement* for equipment to permit low power stations to *broadcast* in digital
- $65 million available for eligible stations
- Program begins in FY 2009

## Low-Power TV Upgrade Program

- 				Eligible Stations
- Same as § 3008 Conversion program EXCEPT:
- Low-power stations must be in communities of less than 20,000
- Note:  Priority will be given to stations in rural areas with less than 10,000 viewers (same as § 3008)

## Low-Power TV Upgrade Program

-   Optional information on application form
- NTIA asks that stations supply additional information
- Applicants for Conversion Program
- Station that may not be interested or eligible for the Conversion Program
- Help NTIA plan for Upgrade Program
- Assess potential participation in Upgrade Program

## Low-Power TV Upgrade Program

- 	Optional information on application form
- NTIA asks that stations supply the following additional information:
- Translator equipment model and power level
- Transmit antenna information
- Whether any site, power, or accessibility issues exist?

## Low-Power TV Upgrade Program

- 	Optional information on application form
- NTIA asks that stations supply the following additional information:
- Community less than 20,000, less than 10,000?
- Interest in applying for Upgrade Program

## Questions?

- Mail:     	NTIA Translator Program
-                   	Department of Commerce, Room 4812
-                   	1401 Constitution Ave, NW
-                   	Washington, DC 20230
- Phone:	Lynn Chadwick 	(202) 482-8338
- 			Larry Dyer  	(202) 482-1762
- E-Mail:	_[lchadwick@ntia.doc.gov](mailto:lchadwick@ntia.doc.gov)_
- 			_[ldyer@ntia.doc.gov](mailto:ldyer@ntia.doc.gov)_
- FAX:	(202) 501-8009