September 21, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ben Scott, FP (202) 265-1490 x1 or Mark Cooper CFA, (301) 384-2204 Public interest groups decry shortcomings of "Save Lives" digital transition act Bill expected for markup tomorrow, Sept. 22 [Open Letter Submitted to Members of Senate Commerce Committee from Free Press and Consumer Federation of America] Dear Senator, We are writing to express our deep concerns about the Spectrum Availability for Emergency-Response and Law Enforcement To Improve Vital Emergency Services Act (the Save Lives Act). This bill finally admits that, in spite of a multibillion dollar give-away to broadcasters, the transition to digital television will take decades if the broadcasters are left to their own devices. It sets a much-needed, hard deadline for the return of some of the most valuable airwaves to the public. We support the provisions that seek to enhance public safety by devoting a part of the newly freed airwaves to use by public safety organizations. Unfortunately, the provisions that claim to protect consumers and promote the public interest in other uses of the airwaves are a disaster. After the needs of public safety users are taken care of, the Save Lives Act misallocates the airwaves between licensed and unlicensed uses, misappropriates the funds that would be raised through auction of the airwaves, and fails to adequately protect consumers from the burden of a forced transition to digital broadcasting. ... http://www.freepress.net/news/release.php?id=26 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways: - Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org - By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.