Country Information for DAB, DAB+ and DMB - Ireland
| Current situation | Coverage | Services on Air | Receiver Market | Regulation | Links |
Latest News from Ireland
Consumer Electronics on the Rise in Ireland (15-02-2010)
DAB is steadily increasing its share; with 14% of audio home systems sold in 2009 including this feature, an increase of 3.3% on 2008. Total DAB has seen ...Read more...
Country Update from Ireland
10-06-2009
A DAB trial began in Ireland in March 2007 with 11 stations, six existing national stations and five Dublin stations. This trial covered Greater Dublin and the North East area with coverage of approximately 36% of Ireland’s population. Recently a DAB trial was rolled out to Limerick and Cork, increasing the DAB coverage to almost of half of the Irish population. This development was led by RTÉ in co-operation with digitalRadio.ie a new industry group set up to explore the development and promotion of digital radio in Ireland. There are now 18 station on-air including six new digital only Irish stations, with a further two stations launched in the Autumn of 2008. The market is currently waiting for the government to provide further regulation to move forward.
Current situation
in Ireland
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Last update: 20-08-2010
- older versions
| Population: | 4.0 million |
Coverage: | |
| Services: | 21 DAB, 2 DAB+ |
The Republic of Ireland currently enjoys around 56% population coverage of DAB broadcasts. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DAB_in_Ireland
In Cork, Limerick and the North East (including Dublin) RTE, the public broadcaster, operates a multiplex broadcasting 11 audio services and an EPG data channel. Some of these stations are exclusive to DAB and all are RTE channels.
In 2010 a trial multiplex was launched by Total Broadcast Consultants (Total DAB) in the south east of Ireland around the Waterford area. It has been licensed by Comreg for a year. This multiplex broadcasts a mix of commercial stations in DAB and DAB+. Ten audio services are on air plus slideshow data.
Coverage
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Last update: 26-08-2008
- older versions
As can be seen from the map, coverage is mainly focussed on the East coast, and nearby areas. There are two transmitters: Three Rock which covers the capital, Dublin; and Clermont Cam which provides coverage around Dundalk.
Services on Air Top
In this country there are
- National multiplex: 1 Regular
- Regional multiplex: 1 Trial
| Simulcast on AM / FM | Exclusive on digital | Total of services | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAB programmes | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| DAB+ programmes | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 23 | 0 | 23 |
Receiver Market
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Last update: 20-08-2010
DAB sets from a range of manufacturers are widely available in electrical retail stores in the ROI.
Ireland has seen a steady increase in the sales of DAB radios. Industry monitor GfK reports 40% volume growth in 2009 (vs 2008) with 14% of all audio home systems including DAB.
Regulation
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Last update: 20-08-2010
- older versions
In March 2007 the Broadcast (Amendment) Act was passed into law. This makes provision for the licensing of sound broadcast multiplexes to RTÉ and to the commercial sector. In June, the 2008 Broadcast Bill was published. It proposes the establishment of a single regulator for both public and commercial broadcasters, the B.A.I. (Broadcasting Authority of Ireland).
With respect to DAB, the Bill allows the regulator to determine DAB multiplex coverage areas and makes provision for the migration of existing broadcasters in those coverage areas to migrate to DAB through the concept of "relevant incumbent". The multiplex operator is then obliged to carry these services. Once an existing broadcaster begins transmission on DAB there is a provision for an extension of their FM licence for up to four years.
Useful Links Top
http://www.digitalradio.ie/http://www.rte.ie/digitalradio/index.html