Consumes may have to wait for the Digital TV converter coupons due to the over demand in the market. FCC demands the help of the industry to ensure the smooth supply of subsidized converter-box coupons.

Meanwhile, the National Telecommunications & Information Association (NTIA) demanded funds worth $330 million to satisfy the ever increasing demand of for the digital TV converter coupons. NIIA is currently facing a shortfall of 2.5 million converter boxes due to the supply demand mis-match. NTIA plans to distribute 51.5 million coupons for the time being but that number could be 60 million by the end of the program, March 31.

FCC plans to spend about $10 million on in-house and outsourced call centers to answer the quarries by customers after DTV transition. Operators have to handle an estimated 350,000 calls per day during the week of Feb. 15-21. The body requested the congress for immediate release of funds for the execution of the plan.

Acting assistant secretary for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Meredith Attwell Baker said, "It is becoming increasingly clear that at the minimum, Congress may need to quickly pass additional funding for the converter box program in early January."