The U.S. Congress has mandated that all television broadcast stations throughout the nation must stop broadcasting in analog format and begin broadcasting in digital format only.

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), this technological transition to digital television (DTV) will take place on Feb. 17, 2009 in order to free up frequencies for public safety communications such as police, fire, and emergency rescue.

How this change will affect U.S. TV viewers depends on their source of television programming. For viewers who only receive free over-the-air TV, their ability to view DTV will depend on the type of TV set they own. With digital-ready TVs, the only additional equipment required to view over-the-air digital programming is a regular antenna either on the roof or smaller “rabbit ears” on the set itself. Those with older analog TVs will need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter.

As for determining whether a TV set is DTV-ready, all TV equipment sold after May 25, 2007 is required by law to either contain a digital tuner or to be clearly labeled at the point-of-sale as having no digital tuner. Cable and satellite TV providers also sell or lease digital boxes that can be set on TVs that do not have a digital tuner built in.

All-digital broadcasting is also said to be more efficient and allows for improved sound and picture quality as well as more programming options for viewers. Some of the freed-up frequencies will also be used for advanced commercial wireless services.

For more information, call the FCC at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the FCC’s website at www.dtv.gov