FCC Considers DTV Transition at Wednesday Open Meeting

[Gregg Lengling]

Among the nine items on the agenda for Wednesday's FCC Open Commission meeting is one concerning the Second Periodic Review of the Commission's Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion to Digital Television. What items will be covered in this meeting? The description in the agenda says only, "The Commission will consider a Report and Order concerning the conversion of the nation's broadcast television system from analog to digital television."


Several issues raised in the FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 03-8) are still open and may be considered at this week's meeting. Some getting recent attention include the Association of Maximum Service Television's proposal for a DTV channel election and planning process and a request from many broadcasters asking the FCC to adopt rules allowing the use of distributed transmission systems for DTV. Other possible items for the Report and Order include the deadline for stations to build out authorized full power facilities, interference from DTV stations operating on Channel 51 after the transition, simulcast requirements, rules for DTV translators and digital LPTV stations and rules for compliance with ATSC PSIP standards.


The commission is also expected to take up the broadcast flag issue by considering rules for certifying devices that operate under the proposed digital copy protection scheme.


Refer to the agenda for Wednesday's FCC Open Commission Meeting for a for details on other items scheduled for consideration.