The government may not be prepared for an an expected surge in demand for the DTV converter coupons from consumers needing to make the switch from analog to digital television, according to a recent government report. “NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) is aware of the potential for a surge in coupon applications as the February 17, 2009, transition date draws closer. Although the coupon application rate has spiked only rarely over the past eight and one-half months, we recognize that consumer education will intensify in the coming months and that coupon applications could reach more consistently high levels than has been our experience to date.”

Coupons are normally issued and mailed within 15 business days from the date a coupon application is received from the consumer. Application status is available on the government’s DTV web page: https://www.dtv2009.gov/CheckStatus.aspx.

According to testimony by Meredith Baker, NTIA Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, “NTIA has designed and administered the Coupon Program in a manner that strives to assure that no Americans lose their television service as a result of the DTV transition. This commitment underlies the Program regulations, as well as NTIA’s proposal to expand coupon eligibility to residents of nursing homes and citizens that utilize a post office box for receipt of mail included in our Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.”

Baker also stated, “To the extent that a surge in coupon applications occurs in the days and weeks leading up to the transition date, NTIA will continue to work closely with IBM to ensure that such an increase in applications does not result in an onerous backlog that could compromise the timely distribution of coupons.

He recommends that consumers apply for coupons and redeem them as soon as possible. Based on experience from the Wilmington, NC pilot program they expect periods of extremely high coupon request volumes as the digital television transition deadline of February 17, 2009 nears.

DTV converter boxes are in short supply in many areas across the country as retailers struggle to keep up with demand. However, the one place we have found to consistently have converter boxes in stock is eBay. Coincidentally, they also have some great deals to boot!

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