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FCC blasted again by GAO - this time over DTV transition

16 December 2007 16:14 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 4 comments

The General Accounting Office (GAO) of the U.S. Federal government has issued another report critical of the lack of planning so far among various agencies in preparation for the transition from analog to digital TV broadcasting in February of 2009.

According to the report "Despite public-private sector interaction designed to help facilitate the transition, we found that no comprehensive plan exists for the DTV transition. Among other things, a comprehensive plan can detail milestones and key goals, which provide meaningful guidance for assigning and coordinating responsibilities and deadlines and measuring progress."

The report goes on to state that when presented with the report's conclusions the Chairman stated "FCC does not have a formal plan in place that is publicly available, but that the various orders contained in FCC dockets amount to a plan." He also indicated that he didn't feel the GAO report gave his agency enough credit for the things they've already done. Of course, as the document points out, a plan is important not just for accomplishing goals, but also evaluating their completion, something that can't be done if there are no goals set to begin with.

The chairman's response is interesting in light of an increasing amount of criticism of the government's plan for the DTV transition coming from within Washington D.C. If there is a plan in place behind the scenes it would make sense to share it with the oversight agency in order to make sure everyone is on the same page. Or maybe an earlier GAO report on the FCC is correct and it's just another sign of their anti-consumer bias.

You can read the GAO report in its entirety on the agency's website.

Permalink to this article

Circuit City challenges FCC authority for DTV related fines (14 May 2008)

FCC finally schedules a test for DTV transition (9 May 2008)

Engineers dispute FCC estimates for DTV signal strength (11 February 2008)

US House and Senate schedule more hearings to assess readiness for DTV transition (2 February 2008)

Survey calls FCC / CEA claims about a smooth DTV transition into question (21 January 2008)

CES 2008: EchoStar to make DTV converters free after government voucher (8 January 2008)

Vouchers for DTV converter boxes now available from the U.S. government (3 January 2008)

CEA says news is good for American DTV adoption (28 December 2007)

Scottish government to insert ads in video games (24 December 2007)

FCC Chairman has Comcast in his sights (2 December 2007)

FCC settles for improved reporting from cable industry (28 November 2007)

FCC complaint filed against Comcast regarding "network management" (3 November 2007)

Best Buy gears up for DTV by eliminating analog televisions (17 October 2007)

US broadcasters announce plans to prepare for DTV (15 October 2007)

GAO blasts FCC for anti-consumer bias (4 October 2007)

GAO report criticizes government inaction in DTV transition (30 September 2007)

FCC: Cable companies must support analog until 2012 (12 September 2007)

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Discuss this article!
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 17 December 2007 11:16
lets get rid of the FCC and let people chose to watch what they want :P And trade it for a warning system all broadcasters must agree to. [ + quote]
tester22 (Inactive) 18 December 2007 12:39
I F'en agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [ + quote]
maitland (Newbie) 21 December 2007 14:24
It will be a beautiful day for humanity when the FCC is abolished! F the FCC!!! ~Maitland [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 24 December 2007 18:20
*Originally posted by ZippyDSM:* lets get rid of the FCC and let people chose to watch what they want :P And trade it for a warning system all broadcasters must agree to. Totally agree. [ + quote]