Dingell, Markey Question NTIA On DTV Coupon Program

摘要

The chairmen of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and its telecommunications and the Internet subcommittee say that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration is mismanaging the $1.5 billion digital TV converter box coupon program. In a July 10 letter to acting NTIA Administrator Meredith A. Baker, Reps. John D. Dingell (D., Mich.) and Edward J. Markey (D., Mass.) complained that NTIA won't be able to redistribute unredeemed and expired coupons without additional administrative funding. "This will mean that although money for funding additional coupons will be available as previously distributed and unredeemed coupons expire, apparent mismanagement of NTIA's program implementation contract with IBM will result in a shortage of administrative funds necessary to process and mail these additional coupons to consumers," the lawmakers said in their letter.