Ireland - Regulation and Spectrum - History

08.09.2008

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. This is expected to be enacted by the end of the year. The Bill 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.

RTÉ is now broadcasting its second digital trial since November 2007 and expects ComReg to award it a full national multiplex licence by the end of November 2008.  RTÉ Radio then plans to launch a digital radio awareness campaign around its digital services and new ways to listen.

02.09.2008

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. This is expected to be enacted by the end of the year. The Bill 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.

RTÉ is now broadcasting its second digital trial since November 2007 and expects ComReg to award it a full national multiplex licence by the end of November 2008.

 

24.07.2008

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 sectorIn June, the 2008 Broadcast Bill was published. This is expected to be enacted by the end of the year. The Bill 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.

RTÉ is now broadcasting its second digital trial since November 2007 and expects ComReg to award it a full national multiplex licence by the end of November 2008.