October 13, 2008

Charlote, NC -- Area residents can learn first-hand about the transition to digital TV, and provide comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at a public workshop being sponsored by the Southeast Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, and 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 disposal and recycling of old televisions.

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the council chambers, Kevin Martin, FCC Chairman, along with other stakeholders, including David Rehr, president of the National Association of Broadcasters, will speak at a community forum to address questions and concerns from the public about the DTV transition. For information about DTV Day, call 704-336-8567.

The transition from analog to digital television is occurring to free-up some existing frequencies for enhanced wireless services and for public safety broadcasting. The 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. The DTV transition is a program of the FCC. While the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are not responsible for implementation, they are assisting the FCC in educating local residents about the 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 also visit www.charmeck.org for information and links to both the FCC and National Telecommunications Information Administration.