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To: Bill DeMarco who wrote (25247)	11/13/1997 10:24:00 PM
From: John Rieman	Respond to of 50808

And before you buy, you need to know the rules......................... ijumpstart.com Revised DTV Allotment Table Due Out Soon <Picture><Picture><Picture> The FCC is close to releasing a revised Table of Allotments for digital television channels, but commission staffers say it's still too early to tell whether most or all of the 200 or so requests for changes will be approved. The commission's decision could have a significant impact on product development across the entire video industry because it will guide the manner in which broadcasters will deliver digital signals. The table sets the frequency, power level and other over-the-air parameters broadcasters will be allowed in a digital environment. While most broadcasters were given the framework to closely match their existing analog patterns, few were entirely happy with their assignments, and some saw their coverage patterns cut in half. Digital Rules An unfriendly DTV environment could cause broadcasters to rethink high-definition or digital multichannel plans, and cause some to forgo switching to digital altogether. Bruce Franca, deputy chief of the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology, said proposals for a revised table should go before the commission in the next two months. "Filings ended in the beginning of October," he said. "We're trying real hard to have something complete so the commission could act on it by the end of the year or early next year." Whether commission will be able to reach a decision that quickly is unclear. Four of the five commissioners were sworn in only last month, and it could take some time before they are fully up to speed on digital television. "I'm sure the commission will want sufficient time to review the table," Franca said. "But the old commission would have taken the same approach." Franca said that of the 239 comments, about half were for specific changes to the table. Others were more general in nature, arguing for or against power level caps or urging greater protection for LPTV stations. Transmission-related companies have the most at stake in the revised table. For one thing, few broadcasters have put in final orders for new digital gear while the revision process has been underway. Secondly, the final power level assignments will dictate whether the market will be ripe for high-power tube transmitters or lower-power solid state designs. "We're chomping at the bit," said Mark Aitken, director of marketing at Comark Digital Services. "We have orders for some 200 transmitters that are on hold because stations are waiting for their final assignment." Aitken said the company has five digital TV products ready to go but has not started full production runs yet. The company has traditionally banked on IOT products, but is well-versed in solid state technology because it is a unit of Thomson Broadcast. "Power levels are most important to us," Aitken said. "If the ALT (Association of Local TV Stations) gets what it wants, then people will be looking for IOTs, not solid state." The ALT, along with many UHF broadcasters, are petitioning the commission for higher power levels they can better compete with new digital services from existing analog VHF broadcasters (See VTN, July 14). Nearly all of the digital channel assignments, even those for existing VHF stations, were made in the UHF band. Changes Likely Although Franca would not say whether his office will recommend significant changes to the tale, Aitken was confident that most complaining stations would see an improvement. "There has been enough of a commotion to lead us to believe the table will not remain the same," he said. Still, any amendments made in the next few months may not be the final word. If enough complaints are made over the revised table, the commission could open up a new proceeding on the matter. And if the power level issue is not resolved to the UHF lobby's satisfaction, some members have threatened to take the commission to court. Technically, the last table was the final word," Franca said. "But whenever the commission makes a change, it is subject to reconsideration." (FCC, 202/418-2470; CDS, 413/569-0116)