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Ireland

Last update: 24.04.2025 - older versions

Ireland's spectrum regulator Comreg has commissioned FáilteDAB to carry out a new high-powered DAB+ trial in Dublin and surrounding areas for 12 months. The test which launched in April 2025, is operated by Foothold Communications, which owns and operates transmission towers around Ireland and currently has over 1000 radio link and broadcast systems under management. The trial has also been supported by content regulator Coimisiún na Meán.

On 24 April 2025, industry news portal Radio Today reported that "twenty radio services are now available on DAB+ in Ireland following the launch of FáilteDAB. The latest DAB+ trial across the broader Leinster area includes ten services by Onic, along with services such as Nova Xtra, Classic Hits 80s and 8Radio. There are 19 music stations and one speech service, with Newstalk simulcasting its service on the digital platform. It can be heard in Dublin, Meath, Wicklow, Kildare, Westmeath, Longford, Laois and Wexford."

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.

Last update: 25.04.2025 - older versions

Coverage of the Failte DAB trial launched on 24 March 2025 can be viewed at https://failtedab.ie/#coverage.

Before being switched off, RTÉ’s ‘national’ multiplex reached all the major population centres and a total 52% of the population.

Last update: 25.04.2025 - older versions

Details of the services on air on the Failte DAB trial lunched on 24 April 2025 are listed at https://failtedab.ie/#services

Last update: 01.04.2021 - older versions

The EECC requires new passenger cars sold across the EU to include digital terrestrial capabilities as standard.

Last update: 01.04.2021 - older versions

With close proximity to the UK market, DAB receivers are readily available in most electrical retailers.

Last update: 25.04.2025 - older versions

Twenty radio services went on air on DAB+ on 24 March 2025 with the launch of FáilteDAB. The DAB+ trial across the broader Leinster area includes ten services by Onic, along with services such as Nova Xtra, Classic Hits 80s and 8Radio.

There are 19 music stations and one speech service, with Newstalk simulcasting its service on the digital platform. It can be heard in Dublin, Meath, Wicklow, Kildare, Westmeath, Longford, Laois and Wexford.

Onic, the new name for News and urbanmedia, launched 10 music services.

UK-based small-scale DAB solution specialists Viamux ran a small scale DAB+ trial, in Cork, until August 2019.

Last update: 25.04.2025 - older versions

Ireland's media regulator - Coimisiún na Meán - announced on 27.03.2025 that it supports the new DAB+trial launched on 24 April 2025. The trial will expand the diversity of services available for Irish audiences and test DAB+ technology, providing an opportunity to explore its potential benefits for broadcasters and listeners.

The trial will operate for one year and is part of Coimisiún na Meán’s commitment to a modern, diverse and sustainable media landscape for Ireland.

Speaking at the Radio Days Conference in Dublin today, Coimisiún na Meán’s Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner, Aoife MacEvilly said: “By supporting this innovative new DAB+ trial and facilitating the broadcast of new digital services for Irish audiences, Coimisiún na Meán continues to demonstrate our strong commitment to pluralism and diversity on Irish radio.”

An Coimisiún has approved content provision contracts for this trial, ensuring the availability of a diverse and varied mix of voices, opinions, and sources of news and current affairs, as well as music programming. This trial will broaden listener choice, encourage creativity and innovation and boost the growth and sustainability of the broadcasting sector. It will also support increased representation and inclusivity, as well as foster a more dynamic and diverse media ecosystem.

Coimisiún na Meán is working with the service providers to facilitate the new services through the awarding of content provision contracts. The DAB+ trial facilitates a simulcast of existing radio services while also allowing a variety of new services such as niche and era-specific music services and new speech programming covering various genres such as social affairs, sports, youth-targeted topics and children’s entertainment.

The new trial is operated by FáilteDAB who were issued a trial licence by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

Source: https://www.cnam.ie/coimisiun-na-mean-supports-new-dab-radio-trial/

Earlier information:

The Broadcasting Act 2009 makes provision for the licensing of sound broadcasting multiplexes to RTÉ and the commercial sector.

Under RCC-06 Ireland has been allotted two frequencies for national DAB multiplexes, 12A and 12C, with other allocations for regional/local multiplexes. The RTE Multiplex is operating on Block 12C (227.360 MHz).

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. However, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has not yet addressed the issue of establishing a regulatory framework.

Wireless Ireland confirms plans to fully embrace DAB+ trial with new services

17.02.2025 - Ireland

Wireless Ireland is planning on launching “a suite of new digital radio services” on DAB+ this year. The move comes as RadioToday breaks the news that a new DAB+ trial will operate for 12 months from April by FáilteDAB. The new stations are set to launch in the spring, with more details announced in coming weeks. Sean Barry, Managing Director of Wireless Ireland, said: “Wireless Ireland is proud to lead the charge in Ireland’s transition to digital broadcasting. The new FáilteDAB platform will offer listeners a broader and more immersive experience, with a blend of existing and new content offerings, creating diversity of choice for listeners across a large coverage area. Wireless Ireland’s commitment will see us become the largest content provider on this new and exciting platform.”

(Radio Today Ireland) Read more

Plans underway to bring back high powered DAB+ multiplexes to Ireland

17.02.2025 - Ireland

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. A 20kW transmitter in Three Rock will cover Dublin, along with a number of 8kW and 10kW sites, giving coverage along the coast from Belfast to Rosslare, and inland to reach Kilkenny, but stopping short of reaching Limerick, Cork and Galway.

(Radio Today Ireland) Read more

Calls in Ireland to issue more digital radio licences to broaden listener choice

11.09.2023 - Ireland

The largely volunteer-run alternative music station 8Radio has called on the newly minted Coimisiún na Meán to issue more digital radio licences in order to give music fans greater choices or more platforms. Its latest incarnation was brought to the virtual airwaves by ex-Phantom FM manager and presenter Simon Maher in 2013 and while it is allowed access to the FM airwaves for 30 days each year, he has called for more “niche licences” to be issued, encouraging the new media commission “to license localised DAB radio multiplexes immediately, allowing niche Irish broadcasters access to a low-cost broadcast platform.”

(Irish Times) Read more

8Radio calls for DAB in Ireland as it celebrates 10th birthday

08.09.2023 - Ireland

8Radio.com is asking the new media commission to license localised DAB radio multiplexes allowing niche Irish broadcasters access to a low-cost broadcast platform. The station’s management group includes ex-Phantom FM Manager and Presenter Simon Maher, who said: “8Radio.com is taking a proactive step by encouraging the new Media Commission to license localised DAB radio multiplexes immediately, allowing niche Irish broadcasters access to a low-cost broadcast platform. With the rise of digital media, 8Radio.com is poised to make an even greater impact in the years to come.”

(Radio Today Ireland) Read more

RTÉ Radio 1 long wave 252 service to end next month

31.03.2023 - Ireland

RTÉ has announced that it is ceasing the long wave 252 service for Radio 1 from next month. The move was originally announced in 2014 but was postponed because of protests from Irish organisations in Britain. RTÉ said in a statement that the LW 252 is no longer sustainable as the transmitter in Summerhill, Co Meath uses up 2.5% of the organisation's energy use. The current cost is €250,000 a year and this could rise to £400,000 next year, it says.

(RTÉ) Read more

English LGBTQ+ radio station goes on DAB in Ireland

29.09.2021 - Ireland

LGBTQ+ station Gorgeous Radio, established in Wolverhampton, England, has launched in Ireland using DAB+. The service is now part of the line-up on FreeDAB, heard in some of the major cities across the Republic. FreeDAB is currently the only service offering space on a DAB multiplex and carries a number of stations including Dublin’s ABC, Fusion Radio, Shine, Release DAB, Angel Vintage, Kream DAB, Juice and Fire Radio. The mux launched in 2019 but was raided by the Garda in 2020 when it fell silent. It has since resumed broadcasting.

(RadioToday.ie) Read more

Ipsos MRBI research shows 81% of Irish adults listen to radio everyday

15.02.2021 - Ireland

The research, Radio in a Digital World, shows that the vast majority of people still use an FM radio but there is a growing cohort-, 8% or 330,000 people- who use a digital device.

(Ad World) Read more

dB Digital launches call for tenders for national commercial multiplex

08.01.2020 - Ireland

dB Digital is calling for broadcasters looking to expand their brands through DAB+ to register their interest for a place on Ireland’s first commercial DAB+ multiplex. Interested parties should submit their applications no later than Friday 14th February 2020.

(dbdb.ie) Read more

Radio Nova wants to take over RTÉ’s national DAB frequencies

06.11.2019 - Ireland

Following the news that RTÉ is to close at least five DAB digital radio stations, and despite the fact that the public broadcaster has not announced any timescales - or if the national multiplex it runs will be closed as well, Radio Nova has expressed strong interest in taking over the frequencies.

(Radio Today) Read more

Juice Cork gets new audio imaging for DAB radio service

01.05.2019 - Ireland

Juice Cork has a new sound to promote their addition to the Éirdab DAB digital radio multiplex trial in Cork. The music and sound design are elements from Rob Wills’ Media production service ‘Audio Sweets ASX’.

(Radio Today) Read more