Ireland - Regulation and Spectrum - History
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.
08.01.2008
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. RTÉ expect to make an application for a national multiplex before November 2007. The commercial sector will take a little longer, as their regulatory body, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland; do not intend to consider regulation until mid 2008.