Digital tv converter box government coupons

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 44 U. To successfully administer this program, NTIA requests approval on three collection requirements and record keeping and reporting requirements for: 1 the application that households must submit to receive coupons; 2 the certification form for retailers that will sell the converter boxes and submit coupons for redemption; and 3 the certification form and record keeping and reporting requirements for manufacturers regarding converter boxes eligible for the coupon program.

Comments on the information collection and recordkeeping requirements in this proposed rule must be received by [ insert 60 days after publication in the Federal Register ]. Comments are invited on a whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; b the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; c ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected; and d ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments on the information collection and recordkeeping requirements in this proposed rule may be sent to Milton Brown, Office of the Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Constitution Avenue, Room , Washington, DC Estimate of Burden : Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average.

Respondents : U. Estimate of Burden : Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1. Respondents : Retailers that accept coupons for digital-to-analog converter boxes and submit them to NTIA for redemption. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated at 1 hour per respondent.

Respondents: Companies that manufacture digital-to-analog converter boxes who request NTIA certification. All responses to this information collection and recordkeeping notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. No intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials is required because this rule is not subject to the provisions of Executive Order , Intergovernmental Consultation.

This rule contains no federal mandates under the regulatory provision of Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of for State, local, and tribal governments or the private sector. Thus, this rule is not subject to the requirements of sections and of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of It has been determined that this rule does not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of [42 U.

NTIA is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act, which requires Government agencies to provide the public the option of submitting information or transacting business electronically to the maximum extent possible. This rule does not contain policies having federalism implications requiring preparation of a Federalism Summary Impact Statement.

Comments must be identified as responses to the IRFA and must be filed by the deadlines for comments on the Notice provided above. We will consider all timely comments in drafting our final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis and in making our decision on a final rule. This analysis addresses six issues: 1 a description of the reasons why action by NTIA is being considered; 2 the proposed rule's objectives and legal basis; 3 a description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the number and types of small entities affected by the proposed rule; 4 a description of the projected reporting, record-keeping and other compliance requirements of the proposed rule, including an estimate of the classes of small entities which will be subject to the requirement; and 5 the relevant rules that could duplicate, overlap, or conflict with the proposed rule.

The following sections provide details on each of these issues. NTIA is promulgating this proposed because of a statutory mandate to create a subsidy program that will affect the public under section of Public Law After that date, households using analog-only televisions not connected to cable or satellite service will no longer be able to receive television broadcast unless the television is connected to a converter box that converts the digital signal to analog format. The proposed rule sets forth a framework to implement the coupon program as authorized by the Act.

Moreover, the proposed rule provides public notice as well as an opportunity for the public to comment. The proposed rule provides clear guidelines to consumers, manufacturers and retailers regarding eligibility, responsibilities and certifications.

The legal basis for any action taken pursuant to this proposed rule is contained in the Act. NTIA, however, must reimburse the Treasury for this amount, without interest, as recovered analog television spectrum auction proceeds are deposited into a new Treasury fund to be known as the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund.

The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that may be affected by the proposed rules. NTIA does not have precise information on the number of qualifying small businesses that are in the manufacturing or electronic retailing sectors that would be affected by the proposed rule.

According to data from the U. Census Bureau, there were U. To the extent that there exists small entities capable of manufacturing a converter box pursuant to the standards provided in the proposed rule, the extent to which they participate in the coupon program will be a business decision and not based on any mandatory action resulting from the proposed rule.

Thus we are unable to predict with any certainty as to the number of small firms that will view the coupon program as a business opportunity and thus be affected by the proposed rule.

We anticipate that comments to the proposed rule and to this IRFA will be informative on this subject. Likewise, it is difficult to ascertain the number of consumer electronics retailers that qualify as small entities. Certain data from trade associations, however, provide a glimpse of the type of small businesses that may participate in the coupon program. In addition to consumer electronics, NARDA's members also sell and service kitchen and laundry appliances, consumer mobile electronics, computers and other home and small office products, furniture, sewing machines, vacuum cleaners, room air conditioners, and other consumer home products.

NARDA's members, however are not limited to retailers, but also include manufacturers, suppliers and vendors. The proposed rules place certain compliance requirements on manufacturers and retailers that choose to participate in the program. For example, the proposed rule requires retailers to certify under law that they: 1 will educate their customers on the necessity for and the installation of a converter box; 2 have systems in place that can be easily audited as well as systems that have the ability to prevent fraud and abuse in the coupon program; 3 are willing to be audited at any time during the course of the coupon program; 4 have the ability to electronically provide NTIA with sales information related to coupons used in the purchase of converter boxes, specifically tracking each serialized coupon by number with a corresponding certified converter box purchase; and 5 will only submit coupons for redemption as a result of purchases made for converter boxes certified by NTIA.

The Notice also requires retailers to submit coupons for redemption within 30 days after they have been used for a purchase, and to retain hard copies of sales information for one year after the purchase. With respect to manufacturers, the proposed rule provides standards that will be required for converter boxes for the coupon program. These standards are necessary to comply with the Act and to ensure that converter boxes function properly.

Manufacturers will be required to submit a self certification that affirms that these standards have been met. The proposed rule has minimal economic impact on small entities.

Participation in the coupon program on all levels - - consumers, manufacturers, and retailers - - is voluntary. Thus any significant economic impact would not be caused by the proposed rule that creates and implements the coupon program, as small entities are not required by the rules to participate in the program. However, if a small entity does participate in the program, there is no indication that they will incur significant economic impacts. Moreover, there does not appear to be any economic impact on small businesses by a decision not to participate in the program.

Although there may be costs associated with accepting the coupons and distributing the converter boxes, the coupon program does not restrict the retailer in pricing the converter box. Manufacturers and retailers may consider these associated costs and establish the wholesale and retail price of the converter boxes to recoup any associated costs.

In fact, the coupon program anticipates that there will be a co-pay element to the purchase price. Thus, to the extent that a small retailer or manufacturer incurs costs as a result of this program, those costs can be recouped though the retail or wholesale price which the retailer and manufacturer are at liberty to choose. Section D of this IRFA provides the compliance requirements of the proposed rule that retailers must assume if they decide to participate in the coupon program. Besides the time that it takes to submit a certification form to NTIA, there will be actual costs associated with meeting these compliance requirements.

These costs, however, are difficult to quantify because of many varying factors. However, we anticipate that the costs would be minimal because retailers and manufacturers may already have the ability to meet the requirements associated with participation in this program.

For example, retailers would have to ensure that employees are capable of educating customers about the necessity for and installation of converter boxes. The costs for this compliance would be calculated by the number of hours it would take to train employees. The estimate would depend on a number of factors such as the existing sales force's expertise, number of employees, salary levels, type of converter box that is certified, and the consumer knowledge.

The proposed rule also requires retailers to have systems in place that can be easily audited as well as systems that have the ability to prevent fraud and abuse in the coupon program. We assume that most businesses would have systems in place that can be easily audited, and therefore, we do not anticipate that small businesses will have to assume a cost to purchase a new system for the coupon program.

Retailers must also have systems in place that have the ability to prevent fraud and abuse in the coupon program. We assume that most retailers are familiar with and accept coupons for merchandise, and that they have in place systems to prevent fraud.

The nature of this coupon program, however, may require participating retailers to assume additional costs associated with preventing fraud. These costs cannot be estimated at this point in the rulemaking process. There may be costs associated in complying with an audit.

These costs would most likely be calculated in terms of employee hourly rates. The associated costs depends on the nature and extent of an audit. There are also costs associated with handling coupons, that is, accepting the coupons, submitting the coupons for redemption, and retaining hard copies of the coupons pursuant to the regulations.

Again, these associated costs depend on a number of factors such as the particular systems that retailers currently have in place, as well as the extent to which these cost can be absorbed within existing procedures that the retailer has in place. Likewise there are costs associated with small manufacturers complying with the proposed rule.

Manufacturers must ensure that the converter box meet the standards outlined in the final rule. Manufacturers would also have to assume up front costs of manufacturing and distributing the boxes to certified retail outlets. These costs are dependent upon a number of factors such as the cost to the manufacturer to build the converter box pursuant to regulations, the manufacturer's established distribution lines, the number of retailers participating, and any relationship that may or may not exist between the manufacturer and the retailer.

The proposed rule does not provide a small business exemption for any compliance requirements. To the extent possible, the proposed rule limits reporting and recordkeeping requirements to only those necessary to provide the coupons in accordance with the Act. Any exemption or waiver of the requirements imposed on manufacturers or retailers would potentially subject the program to waste, fraud and abuse.

It is not essential that small businesses obtain a waiver of the certification requirement outlined in the section above. It is important for small retail businesses participating in the program to be knowledgeable on the particular converter boxes certified by the program, and for their sales staff to be able to provide direction and guidance for consumers.

Moreover, these retailers would have to utilize systems that accommodate the government issued coupons. In the long run, the certification program may provide some protection from consumer liability for small businesses that provide converter boxes consistent with the government-established certification requirement.

As such, a small business could assure customers that the converter box meets government standards, which may offset returns and other issues that could cause additional costs for the business. The requirement for retailers to submit coupons for redemption within 30 days after they have been used for purchase, and the requirement to retain hard copies of sales information for one year after the purchase also should not be waived for small businesses.

These redemption and record- keeping requirements are necessary to keep track of the number of coupons used and to ensure that the program can be properly audited at any time. The ability of the agency to monitor the program and to audit the program outweighs any burden on small businesses to comply with these requirements.

Again, any costs imposed on small businesses to comply with these requirements can be recouped through the retail price of the converter box. Likewise, compliance requirements cannot be waived for small businesses that manufacturer converter boxes.

The standards outlined in the proposed rule are necessary to comply with the Act and to ensure that the converter boxes certified by the program function properly.

Regarding alternatives considered, the proposed rule requests comment on whether a paper coupon or an electronic coupon card should be used. If an electronic coupon card is used, small businesses may not be able to participate in the coupon program if they do not have a system in place that accepts coupons electronically.

On the other hand, paper coupons may present an additional burden on small businesses in processing the sale and submitting the hard copy for redemption. Either of these alternatives will only affect small businesses to the extent that they choose to participate in the coupon program. NTIA has taken steps to minimize burdens on small retailers and manufacturers in its proposed rule.

For example, NTIA has proposed a self-certification process for both retailers and manufacturers for the compliance requirements discussed above. Either option includes additional steps in the certification process and therefore would increase time and cost. We have also sought to minimize burdens on small retailers by proposing clear rules with respect to the redemption process. Retailers have certainty that if they submit there coupons within the time established in the rules, they will be reimbursed in a timely manner.

This proposal removes any uncertainty on the part of the retailer as to when they can receive full payment. NTIA is not aware of any federal rules that may duplicate, overlap or conflict with the proposed rules. The preceding analysis indicates that the expected burden on small entities to implement the proposed rule would be minimal. Census Bureau. See U. Code Regs, tit. Skip to main content. Digital-to-analog Converter Box Coupon Program. Printer-friendly version.

July 24, Docket Number:. Background: A. Summary of Relevant Provisions of the Act Section of the Act amends the Communications Act of to direct the FCC to terminate analog television licenses for full power stations and to require all full-power Class A television stations in the digital television service to broadcast in the radio spectrum between 54 and MHz, by February 18, Proposed Rules and Request for Comment :.

Eligible U. Households NTIA proposes that a "television household" is a "household" with at least one television. Application Process The Act states that a household may obtain coupons by making a request between January 1, and March 31, Coupon Expiration The Act states that all coupons will expire three months after issuance. Digital-to-Analog Converter Box. Retailer Certification. Consumer Education. Submission of Comments. Executive Order This proposed rule has been determined to be economically significant for purposes of Executive Order ; and therefore, has been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget OMB.

Regulatory Flexibility Act. Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirement This document contains proposed information collection requirements. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents : 1 hour 3. Executive Order No intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials is required because this rule is not subject to the provisions of Executive Order , Intergovernmental Consultation.

Unfunded Mandates This rule contains no federal mandates under the regulatory provision of Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of for State, local, and tribal governments or the private sector. National Environmental Policy Act. Government Paperwork Elimination Act NTIA is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act, which requires Government agencies to provide the public the option of submitting information or transacting business electronically to the maximum extent possible.

Executive Order This rule does not contain policies that have takings implications. Executive Order This rule does not contain policies having federalism implications requiring preparation of a Federalism Summary Impact Statement.

Need for, Objectives of, the Proposed Rule. Legal Basis. Associated Costs Although there may be costs associated with accepting the coupons and distributing the converter boxes, the coupon program does not restrict the retailer in pricing the converter box. Exemptions and Waivers The proposed rule does not provide a small business exemption for any compliance requirements.

Alternatives to Minimize Burdens NTIA has taken steps to minimize burdens on small retailers and manufacturers in its proposed rule. National Broadband Availability Map. Also to know is, Can you program a universal remote to a directv box? Follow the on-screen prompts to complete programming. Subsequently, question is, How do you program a universal remote to a digital converter box?

Manually turn on the component you wish to program the remote to operate. The antenna does not have an ATSC tuner onboard. A: You can use your universal remote with almost anything connected to your TV. The new TV converter boxes are an ideal way to get a lot of channels for not a lot of money. You will not have as many channels as with cable, but the TV converter boxes allow broadcasting networks in your area to include sub-channels that may run the news, weather or additional programing.

Converter boxes were created for the purpose of converting the digital broadcast signal to an analog signal for analog televisions. However, if you already have a television that can receive digital signals, then you do not need a converter box.

Keep the buttons pressed in for three seconds and the light will turn back on. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Home Learn. Can I still get a free digital converter box? Share on Facebook Share on Twitter.