Digital Transition of 2009 and the Internet
Once upon a time, television networks broadcasted only in analog. Today, television networks broadcast in analog and digital, the latter offering better quality of sound and picture. On February 17, 2009, networks will cease broadcasting in analog, and broadcast only in digital. While improved program quality will be a realized benefit of this switch, the reason behind the change is to open up more space on the already limited broadcast spectrum.
According to the FCC, digital broadcasting will allow networks to multicast, which means that they will be able to transmit more than one program stream on a single broadcast signal. With this freed-up space on the spectrum, federal and local entities will have space to broadcast information during times of emergency, speeding response time between police, fire and other departments as well as serving as an increased ability to transmit public service announcements during potential emergencies.
So how will the digital transition and multicasting affect the internet market? According to the Digital TV booklet produced by the FCC, that extra space on the broadcast spectrum will be available for wireless broadband, thus opening possibilities for increased internet use. The Wireless Innovation Alliance, a group formed to educate the public about the many benefits of using “white space” on the broadcast spectrum for wireless broadband, details many benefits of the digital transition, including affordable broadband, convenience for consumers and less internet congestion.
All three of those benefits point to one thing: more and more people using the internet for communication, shopping and education. Internet marketing will be more important than ever, because instead of simply being a way to supplement business, as in the past, internet marketing will be business’ main method, and first method, of contact with potential clients.
This change isn’t something that the United States will undergo in the far off future; it is imminent. February 17, 2009 is fast approaching. Is your website ready to reach an exponentially increased number of consumers? While it is unlikely that wireless broadband will be universally available to all of the United States on February 17, 2009, the time to prepare is now, because the transition of the internet won’t be long after that date.
Share this:
