Ireland - Current situation - History
19.02.2025
In February 2025, it was reported that regulator Comreg has commissioned FáilteDAB to carry out a new high-powered DAB+ trial in Dublin and surrounding areas for 12 months. The experiment, starting in April, will be operated by Foothold Communications, which owns and operates transmission towers around Ireland and currently has over 1000 radio link and broadcast systems under management. FáilteDAB says only Irish Coimisiún na Meán licensed radio operators will be allowed to participate in the trial.
Local industry news portal Radio Today reported that "Wireless Ireland is planning on launching “a suite of new digital radio services” on DAB+ this year. The new stations are set to launch in the spring, with more details announced in coming weeks. Bauer Media Audio Ireland has also confirmed it will operate services on the DAB+ trial with full details to follow."
Until 31 March 2021, national public broadcaster RTÉ operated a full-service Multiplex across a five transmitter network covering 52% of the population in the main cities.
UK-based small-scale DAB solution specialists Viamux ran a small scale DAB+ trial, in Cork, until August 2019.
07.11.2024
Until March 2021, national public broadcaster RTÉ operated a full-service Multiplex across a five transmitter network covering 52% of the population in the main cities.
On 31 March 2021, RTÉ switched off its DAB transmissions for three main factors – the fact that DAB was the least utilised platform in Ireland; that RTÉ is the only Irish broadcaster on the DAB system, and cost avoidance.
UK-based small-scale DAB solution specialists Viamux ran a small scale DAB+ trial, in Cork, until August 2019.
06.11.2022
UK-based small-scale DAB solution specialists Viamux are running a two-year small scale DAB+ trial in Dublin carrying Ireland's 45 national and commercial radio stations. For more information visit the viamux.com/ireland.
Until March 2021, national public broadcaster RTÉ operated a full-service Multiplex across a five transmitter network covering 52% of the population in the main cities.
On 31 March 2021, RTÉ switched off its DAB transmissions for three main factors – the fact that DAB was the least utilised platform in Ireland; that RTÉ is the only Irish broadcaster on the DAB system, and cost avoidance.