Population:	4.0 million
Coverage:	56%

Last update: 03-09-2011

The Republic of Ireland currently enjoys around 56% population coverage of DAB broadcasts.

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.  Six 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 was originally licensed by Comreg for a year, but has been extended into a second year.  This multiplex broadcasts a mix of commercial stations in DAB and DAB+.  Ten audio services are on air plus slideshow data.

As can be seen from the map, coverage is mainly focused on the main metro areas. Transmitters on Three Rock Mountain covers the capital Dublin and Clermont Carn  provides coverage to Dundalk and Drogheda. Woodcock Hill provides coverage to Limerick while the Spur Hill transmitter covers the city of Cork.  The Three Rock Dublin transmitter outputs 10kW ERP with the remainder at 5kW ERP.

In this country there are

• National multiplex: 1 Regular
• Regional multiplex: 1 Trial

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.

The Broadcasting Act 2009 makes provision for the licencing of sound broadcasting multiplexes to RTÉ and the commercial sector. RTÉ have secured and are operating a ten year multiplex licence.

The Broadcasting Act also makes provision for existing commercial broadcasters in multiplex broadcasting areas to migrate to DAB which includes an extension to their licence of up to six years.