Despite regulators delaying the mandatory 'DTV' switch from 17th February to 12th June, about 40% of the nation's TV stations are to go completely digital next week.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, 681 out of nearly 1800-television broadcast stations will stop analog signal broadcasts by next week. Not only will the switch free up spectrum for public safety, it will also provide better television viewing.

However, even though the bill has been delayed, television stations, who have spent millions of dollars in getting ready, including educating viewers about the switch, are permitted to transition from analog to digital on the original date.

With 20-million mostly poor, elderly or rural households in U. S., still apparently unprepared for the nation's switch to digital TV, due to a shortage of government coupons for defraying the cost of digital converter boxes, the House of Representatives has decided to delay the passing of the bill that makes the switch mandatory for everyone.

CBS Corp. (CBS. N), General Electric Co.'s (GE. N) NBC and Walt Disney Co.'s (DIS. N) ABC, are some of U. S. A.'s major television networks who will continue to transmit TV signals in analog.

Stations making the digital transition have been asked to notify the FCC and obtain its' approval.