Analog to Digital Television Conversion Problems Continue; Fcc Passes The Buck

Image from National Archives and Records Administration.

 As reported in Converting Analog Television to Digital TV Not Working for Millions of Americans, we let Congress and the FCC take away our free TV. What else will we let the government take away?

I have been without television since June 12, 2009, when I lost my analog signal. I have tried everything from purchasing two converter boxes, to a new antenna, to an adapter, to finally breaking down and buying a new digital television, and nothing works. Almost 5 years later, I am still without reception in the hills outside of town where I live. I receive at best a broken, pixilated signal. 

As a matter of fact, MILLIONS of low income, unemployed, retired, or other Americans on fixed incomes don't have TV now. Even more are making the hard decision to put television service above home repairs and medical expenses, because we count on our televisions for weather alerts. Here in Tennessee those weather maps are vital during our lengthy spring and fall tornado seasons, as well as for other weather alerts and crisis information.

I have made four requests via the FCC phone hotline for complaint forms they tell me they send out. After four requests since May, this week I received a glossy, full-color brochure from the FCC telling me all the advantages of going digital - still no complaint forms. I have also requested a supervisor call me back on three occasion since June 12, and no one has return my calls. The FCC specialist I spoke with today offered no explanation, but she told me that Congress mandated the change; the FCC is just the department chosen to implement Congress' wishes. So the buck doesn't stop at the FCC office.

The FCC specialist also said the FCC couldn't address the issue of just one person. I had already told her that several people in my area are having problems, and that I was getting comments on some of my articles and blogs indicating others across the country were experiencing the same difficulties. She replied that may be so, but it was just me on the phone. I asked, "So, I am the ONLY phone call you have taken recently on this issue?" to which she replied that no, they got plenty of calls at which point she stopped trying to make this MY issue.

The FCC is sending no complaint forms and offering no helpful feedback as to what they intend to do to fix this problem. Instead, they are now trying to hide behind Congress and imply it is an individual's problem, not theirs.

For more on this issue read:

• Converting Analog Television to Digital TV Not Working for Millions of Americans
• Analog to Digital TV Conversion: Approximately 2.8 Million Americans Now Without Television
• Converting Older Analog Televisions to Digital TV Not as Easy as Promised

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Previously published on Bukisa on Jul 22nd, 2009

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