Shortage Seen of DTV Coupons

December 29, 2008 By Stephen Silver

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With the analog signal shutoff less than two months away, customers in need of converter boxes are being urged to apply for the government's coupon program sooner rather than later. That's because the government funds appropriated for the coupons may run out early next month.

According to Reuters, the Commerce department official in charge of the program in warning that the $1.34 billion allotted to pay for the coupons is likely to run out in early January- more than a month before the shutoff on Feb. 17. If that happens, Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) told the news service, Congress may need to appropriate additional funds to cover the shortfall.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is overseeing the program, has been receiving 1.5 million coupon requests per month.