DAB in Ireland

Digital Audio Broadcasting in Ireland is the only current form of digital radio transmission in the state. It was launched to the public on 30 November 2006, with trials taking place in 1998, 2001 and 2006. Currently, 56% of Ireland's population - mainly in Counties Cork, Limerick and the North East - can receive permanent DAB services.[1]

One permanent multiplex exists, operated by the national broadcaster RTÉ. The service began to be marketed in May 2007 by a collective of commercial broadcasters, digitalradio.ie; and receivers are now sold by most major electronics retailers.

21 services were available in Dublin, surrounding areas and the north-east, and 11 were available in other coverage areas during the trial phase.

A temporary licenced trial multiplex began transmission using block 9B in April 2010. It is operated by Total Broadcast Consultants Ltd. Initially it covered the Waterford City area and from mid May, expanded to cover much of the South East of Ireland.

DAB Ireland Mux1

This multiplex operates on Block 12C (227.360 MHz) from Three Rock Mountain, Kippure and Clermont Carn (both in Leinster), Woodcock Hill, Limerick and Spur Hill, Cork. Its line-up has varied heavily since its launch - initially on January 1, 2006. All stations are provided by RTÉ. As of June 2009, it is carrying:[2]

DAB Ireland Mux2

No longer operating since November 2008, this multiplex launched in mid-March 2007 and operated from Three Rock Mountain and Clermont Carn on Block 12A (223.936 MHz). It carried ten services - four stations supplied by Communicorp, two by Digital Audio Productions, two by UTV Radio, and two privately held. As of July 2008, it consisted of:[2]

Radio stations licenced by the broadcasting commission of Ireland ceased broadcasting on Ireland’s second digital radio multiplex (Mux 2) on Sunday, 30 November 2008. The stations were broadcasting on Mux 2 as part of a digital radio trial. RTÉ continues to broadcast on the RTÉ multiplex. ComReg and the BCI are currently exploring regulatory frameworks for digital radio multiplex licensing and broadcast licenses.[3]

South-East Ireland DAB Trials (TOTAL-DAB)

DAB and DAB+ trials were begun in April 2010 in the South-East area of Ireland on channel 9B (204.64 MHz) by Total Broadcast Consultants Ltd, a broadcast engineering company. The company initially obtained a 1-year test and trial license from Comreg to perform tests from sites in Waterford City and a high site in the Blackstairs Mountains, providing coverage in Co. Wexford, Co. Carlow, Co. Kilkenny and East Co. Waterford. In March 2011, a 1-year extension was granted. This is the first DAB multiplex in Ireland to be operated by an independent/private organisation (RTÉ NL operating previous multiplexes), and the first known broadcasts of DAB+ content in Ireland. In addition to all local and regional radio stations, it is carrying several stations previously unavailable in the region. At present there are 6 DAB+ services and 6 standard DAB services live. Past trial participants have included Christmas FM, Zenith Classic Rock & Raidió Rí-Rá.

References

  1. ↑ "RTÉ trials DAB digital radio in Cork and Limerick cities". Radio Netherlands MediaNetwork. 2008-03-19. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 DAB Ensembles Worldwide | Ireland
  3. ↑ "Notice on www.digitalradio.ie". Retrieved 2009-03-08.

External links