There have been many missteps in the country’s long transition to digital television. Still, it is too early for lawmakers to worry that a public education campaign is failing. They should, however, be concerned that the federal government has not set aside enough money for the mandated transition.

At congressional hearings on the digital broadcast transition, senators, including Olympia Snowe, raised concerns that the majority of Americans don’t know what is happening. In a nutshell, the government a decade ago decided to auction off the analog spectrum then used for television broadcasts to raise federal revenue and to make room for more wireless communications. Television broadcasts were to become entirely digital by 2006. That deadline was extended, but television stations currently broadcast both digital and analog feeds. The analog signal will end on Feb. 18, 2009. Any television not equipped with a digital signal – new ones currently on the market do – will no longer work after that date unless it is paired with a converter box.

In 2005, the Government Accountability Office reported that about 20 percent of U.S. households relied solely on over-the-air broadcasts, much higher than earlier believed. The rest get their television signal either through cable or satellite services, which charge fees. However, many satellite subscribers must rely on the analog signal to get local stations.

The GAO recommended that lawmakers offer subsidies to help the over-the-air households, which it found had lower average incomes than cable and digital subscribers, purchase the necessary converter boxes. Offering subsidies to all of these 22 million households would cost about $1 billion, assuming the boxes cost $50 each. The GAO suggested means testing subsidies to offer financial assistance to only those households that needed it.

The GAO did not estimate how much it would cost to subsidize converter boxes for those satellite subscribers that would need them to receive local stations. This number should be found and added to the government price tag.

The government has set aside $1.5 billion for digital converter box coupons for households with analog-only televisions. Each household can apply for two $40 coupons, available on a first-come, first-served basis, not based on financial wherewithal.

Congress has also allocated $5 million for an education campaign, to begin Jan. 1. Many now worry that this is too late.

Another GAO study, however, found this is not the case. It found that a four-week-long effort got the message out in Berlin. Trade group representatives told the GAO that a six to 12 month campaign was sufficient because anything longer would be considered just “background noise.” They also suggested that a consistent message, with a firm date, would be the most effective.

With this information, the best course for Congress is to ensure that adequate funding is available to reach all the affected households and to ensure they can buy the required equipment.