Federal Communications Commission FCC 11-110
1
STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL
Re:  Amendment of Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission’s Rules to Establish Rules for Digital Low 
Power Television, Television Translator, and Television Booster and to Amend Rules for Digital 
Class A Television Stations, (MB Docket No. 03-185).
I vote in support of this Order, which will start the process to bring the DTV transition to a close 
by establishing procedures and a September 1, 2015 deadline for low power television stations to 
transition to digital signals.  The Order also requires all low power television stations located in channels 
52 to 69, also known as the 700 MHz band, to either relocate to television channels below Channel 52 or 
cease operations by December 31, 2011.  The relocation of these stations will clear the 700 MHz band 
allowing for the successful deployment of wireless services by commercial wireless providers and public 
safety entities.
Our action today promotes a well-established Commission goal of putting the nation’s spectrum 
resources to the most efficient and productive use.  I remain mindful, however, of the significant benefits 
delivered by low power television to local communities, especially throughout rural America.  For this 
reason, we must ensure that this digital transition is implemented as smoothly as possible, building upon 
the lessons learned from the DTV transition.  I am pleased to see that many of the rules and procedures 
implemented in this Order include improvements based upon the wealth and breadth of experience gained 
by the committed FCC staff during the full power digital transition.  It should always be our goal to 
improve our processes and strive to do better.   
The one thing I learned from my involvement with the full power DTV transition is to expect the 
unexpected.  As was the case with the first digital transition, unanticipated challenges are bound to arise.  
Although our past experiences may be useful in mitigating such surprises, there are significant differences 
in scope between the digital transition of full power and low power television stations.  In this light, I do 
have some concerns about the Commission’s representations regarding possible consumer outreach 
efforts, such as third-party and expanded FCC call centers, walk-in DTV help centers, and staff contact 
with local communities.  Although we do not “decide on the exact form and extent of our consumer 
education,” consumers and policymakers alike should be made aware that we may not have at our 
disposal the same private sector resources and funding for consumer education that was available for the 
first digital transition.  We therefore must be careful to not raise undue expectations regarding potential 
outreach efforts.  Furthermore, we should manage our available assets prudently to ensure that we are able 
to provide assistance to those areas that are most dependent on low power television and most likely to be 
affected.
 
I thank the Media Bureau for their work on this Order and the hard work that is yet to be done as 
we prepare to embark on what will hopefully be a seamless and successful digital transition.