An update on how you should prepare for the switch to digital TV:

It's coming up in just nine months.

Now high-ranking officials from the Federal Communications Commission are in Anchorage, trying to clear up all the confusion about the need for converter boxes.

The big confusion is for viewers in rural areas who get CBS 11's signal from translators. Those won't be switching to digital in February. That is raising the question about whether viewers in those areas should even bother buying a converter box right now.

The FCC says that is up to you, but keep in mind, the government's 40-dollar coupons for the boxes are only available until next March. Those boxes cost about 60-bucks.

Meanwhile, the

I-Team's research shows only seven percent of Alaskan households have requested the coupons. We asked the chief of the FCC's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau if that makes her worried viewers who need the converters won't be ready in time.

"I expect with all the additional outreach that the broadcasters are doing, that the cable companies are doing, that consumers are hearing from different community groups that are helping us with different outreach efforts---I think it will be building momentum," said Catherine Seidel of the Federal Communications Commission.

There is one more issue for Alaskans:

The government agency that mails out the coupons won't send them to P.O. boxes, which a lot of people here use.

Seidel says she is not involved in that decision, but understands the agency in charge of the coupons is considering a change to that policy.

If you watch CBS 11 on cable or satellite TV right now, you should be OK. It's unlikely you'll need a converter box.

1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)

If you still have questions, you can call the FCC. That number will get you to a live

person who can answer your questions. Keep in mind, they're on Eastern Time. So you may want to call earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, why not talk to the FCC in person?
One of the officials from Washington will be manning a booth on Saturday at the Anchorage market. He'll be able to help you make a decision about what you should do.

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To contact Matt, call 907-273-3186.