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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain is pushing for up to $1 billion in aid to ensure consumers are not left in the dark when television stations broadcast only new, crisp digital signals, according to draft legislation obtained on Sunday.

McCain's measure would require broadcasters to air only digital television signals by 2009 and help consumers who rely on traditional television sets buy a device that would convert digital back into a format that they could watch.

"Consumers who rely on over-the-air television, particularly those of limited economic means, should be assisted," according to the draft obtained by Reuters.

The government is eager to get its hands on the airwaves that broadcasters use now because they will likely auction it for commercial wireless services, which could rake in billions of dollars according to some estimates. Under the measure, the $1 billion would come from the auction proceeds.

Moving the broadcasters off the old spectrum would also free up airwaves for public safety groups that are scrounging for more so they can better communicate during emergencies. Poor communications was a major problem during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

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Source: Reuters