MUSCATINE, Iowa — MPW Digital TV is taking reservations for its new 99-cent digital adapter.

When the utility stops broadcasting analog stations over Channel 32 in January 2010, any television without a digital converter will receive only basic service.

Before MP&W Digital TV unveiled the new 99-cent per month adapter, customers had to choose between a standard digital converter, which costs $4 per month, and the $11.99 model, which supports high definition viewing and digital video recording.

Gary Wieskamp, directory of Utility Relations, said a recent ruling from the Federal Communications Commission allowed Motorola to begin making the less expensive adapter.

The adapter allows subscribers to view all the channels they have purchased. However, it does not provide the interactive features like parental control, pay per view, on demand and the interactive guide the other converters have.

Wieskamp said MP&W has ordered 2,000 of the adapters and is just waiting for Motorola to finish some programming at the utility so the adapters will work.

He anticipates rolling out the new adapters in mid-December.

As of Monday, 180 customers were already on the waiting list for the new box.

MP&W Digital TV has been working on converting to digital throughout this year. The change will free up transmission capacity for high definition stations and Internet use.

In January, the utility will add 43 new high definition channels and four new standard channels.

To get on the waiting list for a

99-cent digital adapter, contact MPW Digital TV at 263-2631.