Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 Takes Critical Steps Towards Completion of DTV Transition
ARLINGTON, VA, Oct. 14, 2005 – The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro in response to a staff draft released by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) setting a hard date for the end of analog television broadcasting:
“Senator Stevens and Senator Inouye have taken a critical and necessary step to expedite our nation’s transition to digital television (DTV) in an effective and pro-consumer manner. CEA has long supported a hard cut-off date for analog broadcasts. A hard date provides certainty to manufacturers, retailers, consumers and all others with a stake in the transition. A hard date will foster innovation, strengthen America’s security and begin the process to auction off analog spectrum to provide funds to the U.S. Treasury, while completing the DTV transition in a timely and understandable manner for consumers. We look forward to working closely with Senators Stevens, Inouye and members of the full committee as this issue moves forward.
“CEA will continue to work with all responsible parties to hasten the transition to DTV, including continuing our award-winning consumer education efforts. We call on broadcasters, cable system operators and others to join us in working with Congress to set a hard cut-off date and educating consumers about the transition.”
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,000 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA’s members account for more than $121 billion in annual sales. CEA’s resources are available online at http://www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.
CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Defining Tomorrow’s Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.
