Nearly half of the US households that are at risk of loosing their television signals after the transition to digital broadcasting are still unprepared for the switch, according to a report released yesterday by the Government Accountability Office.

The switch to digital television was ordered by the Congress as a measure to free up public airwaves for other uses, such as for police and fire departments. The switch will have positive consequences as well – an improved quality of sound and picture. On February 17, 2009, all full-power TV stations will turn off their analog signals and broadcast solely in digital format.

84% of consumers are aware of the transition, but 45% of those who are at risk of loosing television service have little or no plans to do anything about it, a survey of consumers by the Government Accountability Office found. More than half the 1,010 people surveyed said they knew about the government program to get coupons to help pay for converter boxes that allow analog TVs to receive digital broadcasts, but two-thirds of the people who want a coupon didn't know how to get one, the Washington Post noted.

A Commerce Department official told House lawmakers that more money might be needed to mail out all the $40 government coupons. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration needs more money to buy more stamps to send out coupons.

To keep watching television after the transition, consumers using analog TVs will need to buy converter boxes, buy a digital TV or subscribe to cable or satellite service.