Maryland Business

By: admin

We’re a little more than a month away from the country’s television broadcasters switching from analog to digital signals. With each passing day it seems there’s another story about a bump in the road, or about an official or trade group representative calling for a delay in the change.

Advocates for the delay point to the lack of coupons for rabbit-ear-loving consumers to use for the digital converter boxes. It seems there really is a sizeable group out there that thinks several years isn’t enough time to prepare (even President-elect Barack Obama thinks it should be delayed).

I have bad news for those people: I’m pretty sure we’re too far along in the process to change pace or direction.

And like most matters, it comes down to money. Converter boxes cost maybe $30-40 and there are a number of options on the market. So, even without a coupon, preparing for the digital world isn’t going to slam your wallet.

On the other side we have broadcasters and technology companies that could lose millions — maybe even go bankrupt — if the switch-over is delayed. Broadcasters simply aren’t budgeted to pay for both signals past the planned switch. Forcing them to dip into their pocketbooks — pocketbooks which are already thin due to the lousy economy — is demanding they spend money that just isn’t there. And I think we’ve had about enough of that as of late.

Then there are the tech companies that are depending on the available analog signals to power the next generation of wireless technology. It’s not as if the government’s planning on abandoning the analog signals — Washington’s looking to make some money through licensing.

And, of course, there’s the fact that emergency responders and other government services are scheduled to use available analog signals. Might be a good idea to keep them in top working order.

So if you aren’t ready for the Feb. 17 switch — tough. It’s been planned for years, and there’s money to be made by everyone. The government and corporations can’t risk losing millions of dollars just because some consumers waited until the last minute to care.

JOE BACCHUS, Web Specialist