House votes down digital TV delay
The deadline for the national switch to digital television remains February 17, after the US House of Representatives voted down a bill on January 28 that would have moved the date to June 12. A coalition of organizations, which contends that about 20 million people are not prepared for the switch, has pushed for a delay.
A postponement, backed by President Barack Obama and passed by the Senate, required two-thirds House support for passage. Democratic House members may try again next week, but with amendments that would require only a simple majority for approval, according to a Reuters report.
Qualcomm is one corporation that could lose tens of millions of dollars if there is a delay, according to a January 27 in The Wall Street Journal. The company invested hundreds of millions of dollars in equipment and wireless licenses, to be used immediately after the switch.
