Analog TV violations: Notify the FCC
July 6th, 2007If you suspect violations of the FCC’s digital tuner mandate or analog TV labeling requirements, you can file a report with the commission.
The DTV tuner rule prohibits the manufacture, import, or interstate shipment of any device containing an analog television tuner, unless it also contains a digital tuner. The tuner mandate took final effect on March 1, 2007.
Though stocks are dwindling, analog-only TVs remain on the shelves of many stores. At retail outlets, in catalogs or online, sellers are required to display a consumer alert, warning of the shutdown of analog TV broadcasts on February 17, 2009.
Complaints may be filed via email sent to fccinfo@fcc.gov, or via phone (toll-free): 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322); TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322). To file online or by mail, see the FCC web site.
The list of citations on the FCC Enforcement Bureau’s DTV page has grown quite long. The only tuner-mandate enforcement actions shown are those from late May against Syntax-Brillian and Regent USA. But warnings about retail signage have gone out to many large retailers, including Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Toys ‘R’ Us and several others noted earlier. The enforcers are on the job, evidently, and they are to be commended.
At the bottom of the retail citation list is Nebraska Furniture Mart, a small chain of large-format home stores that may be familiar to readers of Berkshire Hathaway annual reports. The FCC, it seems, isn’t even afraid to go after generous billionaire Warren Buffett.
Elsewhere in Washington, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) decided earlier this year that it would not discriminate against the filthy rich. The federal agency made Bill Gates, Donald Trump and everyone else eligible for the federal DTV coupon program. I wouldn’t even be surprised if Buffett, a value investor with a reputation for frugality, writes in for his very own $40-off coupon.