STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE
Re:  Third Periodic Review of the Commission’s Rules and Policies Affecting the 
Conversion to Digital Television, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(MB Docket No. 07-91)
With this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, we begin our third periodic review of the 
digital television (“DTV”) transition.  We all have a role to play in order to make the 
transition a smooth one and realize the benefits that it promises, freeing up spectrum for 
incredible new applications and services, including the deployment of broadband across 
rural areas of this country.  I applaud the Digital TV Transition Coalition comprised of 
business, trade, industry and grassroots organizations for their commitment to help 
educate and inform consumers regarding this exciting move to a dazzling truly digital 
world.  Our role, in addition to our own education and outreach, is to provide 
broadcasters the regulatory flexibility they need to focus their attention on the planning, 
coordination, and construction of their final, post-transition DTV facilities.  Unlike our 
previous periodic reviews, we conduct this one knowing that Congress has set February 
17, 2009 as the date certain for the end of the transition, underscoring our need to work 
cooperatively with broadcasters and the public alike so that we will continue to get news, 
information and entertainment without interruption in 664 days.