As America prepares for the digital TV transition, Kevin Martin, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Meredith Baker, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) appeared before the Committee on Commerce and Transportation to discuss the progress made so far regarding informing and preparing the population for the digital transition.

Starting February 17, 2009, all broadcasts will be digital, according to the Digital Television and Public Safety Act of 2005.

Meredith Baker appeared before the committee to talk about the launch of the Television Converter Box Coupon Program, which started off on January 1 this year, and by April 7, 2008 already reached over 5.2 million household requests for almost 9.9 million coupons.

“NTIA’s daily efforts working with the media have helped generate awareness of the DTV transition and Coupon Program,” said Baker. “The high level of interest in the Program and the correspondingly high application rate indicate that consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the DTV transition and are ready to take action.”

In his speech, Kevin Martin highlighted the importance of the digital TV transition as “a historic moment in the evolution of TV […] It will also allow us to significantly improve public safety communications and will usher a new era of advanced wireless services such as the widespread deployment of wireless broadband.”

Consumer Electronics Association and the National Association of Broadcasters released data according to which consumer awareness has grown from 41% in August 2006 to 74% in January 2008.

“That more and more viewers are aware of the transition is a step in the right direction,” said Martin. However, we still have more work to do.”

What is essential right now is to reach of corners of the country and leave no American in the dark,” Meredith Baker also said, adding that consumers will be given the chance to ask questions and see a television converter with their own eyes as of this week and throughout spring.