RTÉ Irish free to air DTT service set to launch to 90% of population by October 31st 2010

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan T.D. has signed an Order under the Broadcasting Act, 2009, requiring RTÉ to ensure that their free to air digital television service is operational and available to 90% of the population by 31st October 2010.

RTÉ has not yet launched it’s DTT service. Cosequently there is no Irish DTT service available. The DTT network is currently being built and tested.

RTÉ Networks Limited (RTÉNL) is a subsidiary of RTÉ and is responsible for building RTÉ’s DTT national network. To date, RTÉNL has digitally enabled the 13 main transmitter sites in Ireland and is operating a series of tests from these sites.

Progress on the development of Commercial DTT services

At present there are no commercial DTT operators licensed to provide commercial DTT services in Ireland. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) is currently involved in a competitive process and is seeking to contract commercial DTT service providers.