What is digital conversion and why is the transition from analog to digital occurring now?
Verizon's FiOS TV is currently available to customers in digital form. However, Verizon simulcasts a small set of channels, including local broadcast channels, in analog format. This analog simulcast was intended to allow customers to watch limited programming on a second or third analog TV without a set top box.
The federal government has mandated that all television broadcasting be transitioned from analog to digital transmission by Feb. 19, 2009, freeing up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. Verizon made a commitment with the FCC to eliminate our analog service by Feb. 19, 2009. To allow time to reconfigure our network and ensure a smooth customer transition, Verizon will begin the transition in the Spring of 2008. By making these changes now, we ensure that our FiOS TV customers have access to all the new digital content that's coming this year.