By Catherine M. Welch
Wilmington, NC – The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is warning Capitol Hill that funds for television converter box coupons could run dry before everyone who needs a coupon can get one.
One of the lessons learned from Wilmington's early digital transition was that more people than expected demanded coupons worth $40 off a converter box.
Come February, the rest of the nation will make the switch from analog to digital. After that, viewers without cable or satellite will need a converter box to get a picture.
But in a letter to key members of Congress FCC Chairman Kevin Martin warns not only are more people than expected going to need the coupons, but trends show more people will redeem them.
Congress has given the coupon program a $1.5 billion budget. In his letter to Martin said it's difficult to tell whether that's enough.
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