September 23, 2008

Charlotte, NC --  Although the transition to digital television is more than five months away, residents of Charlotte-Mecklenburg are being encouraged to learn about how the conversion may affect them, before the transition is made on February 17, 2009. The conversion is a program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). While the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are not responsible for implementation, they will assist the FCC in educating citizens prior to the transition.

According to Doris Boris, Cable Communications Administrator for Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the transition is occurring to free-up some existing frequencies for enhanced wireless services and for public safety broadcasting. "Those additional frequencies will be available to police, fire, medic and an interactive regional network that will work across the country in case of a major emergency in the United States."

Area residents can learn first-hand about the conversion and provide comments to the FCC at a public workshop being sponsored by the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the Southeast Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors. The free event will be held Thursday, October 16 at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the DTV Road Show truck will be at the Government Center to provide information about converter boxes. Local broadcasters and cable operators will be on-hand to talk about their services, and Charlotte's Solid Waste Services Department will provide information about how to properly dispose of or recycle old televisions. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the council chambers, Kevin Martin, Chairman of the FCC, along with other stakeholders, will speak at a community forum that will address questions and concerns related to the DTV transition.

To learn more about the DTV transition, visit the DTV website at www.dtv.gov, or call 1-800-388-2009. Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents can continue to visit this website for DTV information and links to both the FCC and National Telecommunications Information Administration.