Trucking industry to be hit by the transition to DTV
The move to DTV (Digital Television) is coming on February 17th, 2009, and a recent DTV preparedness study by Nielson still shows that a little over 10% of American households are not ready for the transition. The digital transition requires that viewers of over-the-air television with an analog TV set must purchase a converter box to allow their televisions to function after the Feb. 17th, 2009 transition date.
What about the trucking industry?
The government is offering $40 Converter Box Coupons to provide assistance in helping the public upgrade their old analog TV sets, but recent complaints about the coupon program and its lack of coverage for nursing home patients and mobile television owners will probably also extend to the trucking industry as well.
What could prevent a semi-truck driver from receiving the converter box coupon?
Many owners of semi-trucks and employee’s of large trucking firms have outfitted their rigs with analog television sets . These TVs are the source of entertainment while truckers are on the road (technically speaking side of the road during breaks) for months at a time without taking days off or being in the comfort of their own home.
If a self-employed or corporate employed trucker has asked for assistance from the government to outfit their home with the maximum (2) digital converter coupons for 2 television sets, does that mean they will have to foot the bill and pay the whole cost of purchasing a converter box for their truck?
Consideration…
When the government reviews its converter coupon guidelines in the coming months, they may want to think about including the trucking industry and its 3.4 million employed drivers in the coupon program.
