President-elect Barack Obama's transition team is urging Congress to delay implementation of the switch from analog to digital television, arguing too many people won't be ready by the February 17 legally mandated deadline.

The U.S. Commerce Department has said it is out of money to subsidize coupons for digital TV converter boxes for consumers, Obama transition team co-chair John Podesta noted in a letter to lawmakers, according to the Associated Press.

A switch would require congress to pass a new law overriding the current one.

He also voiced concern that rural, poor or minority communities are not receiving sufficient help from the government for the transition.

The $40 coupons per household would help pay for the converters, which typically cost between $40 and $80 dollars. Since, January 4 the government has been putting people requesting coupons on a wait list.

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