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.

Harris Helps out Dublin DAB Trials
16.11.2012 - Ireland Ireland
DB Digital Broadcasting is using Harris high- and low-power Platinum VAX VHF air-cooled transmitters and PowerSmart technologies in its DAB digital radio trials.

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Harris aids DB Digital Broadcasting in first DAB Digital Radio trials
14.11.2012 - GatesAir WorldDAB Member - Ireland Ireland
DB Digital Broadcasting, Ireland's national independent multiplex and network transmission provider, is using Harris transmitters in its Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) digital radio trials, currently taking place in and around Dublin. Launched earlier this ...

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Ireland's DAB Trial Advances
27.10.2012 - Ireland Ireland
dB observes that the test run proves that much will have to be done to pave the way for Ireland’s eventual transition to DAB+, as the country is currently far from the WorldDMB/EBU Profile 1 standard, as established in 2009 to evaluate the European market for broadcasters, manufacturers as well as consumers; currently, not all standard digital radios receive either DAB or DAB+, as would be required by the standard.

(Radio World) Read more


DB Digital Blog: DAB Transmission Report in Ireland
22.10.2012 - Ireland Ireland
I saw a very interesting blog entry from Dusty of DB Digital, a DAB MUX provider in Ireland. 'Our first three months on-air have shown some very interesting insights into digital broadcasting'.

(Radio magazine (press release)) Read more


All in Media supports Ireland DAB+ trial
12.07.2012 - All In Media - Ireland Ireland
The trial is broadcasting three new radio stations; All 80s, Raidió Rí-Rá and UCB with another three scheduled to come on-air early October. ...

(Radio Today) Read more


New DAB radio trial
10.07.2012 - Ireland Ireland
NEW DAB digital radio is being trialled in Dublin this week by dB Digital Broadcasting.

(Herald.ie) Read more


All in Media powers visual radio trials in Ireland
10.07.2012 - All In Media - Ireland Ireland
All in Media (AIM) announced today its participation in the commercial digital radio trial currently taking place in Ireland. This DAB+ trial, which is already on air in Dublin and is due to launch in other cities in Ireland later this summer, showcases digital audio and visual radio services including Slideshow and DLS.

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Raidió Rí-Rá Begins Broadcasting on DAB
03.07.2012 - Ireland Ireland
Radio World First Irish-language youth station goes digital.

(Radio World) Read more


Irish language media make a Rí-Rá about going online
27.06.2012 - Ireland Ireland
Raidió Rí-Rá ( rrr.ie), an Irish-language station which plays chart music for young people, also announced Monday that they would begin to broadcast live on the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) platform in Dublin and Waterford this Sunday, in Cork and Limerick by the end of 2012 and nationally after that.

(Irish Times) Read more


Factum to provide Mux for Irish DAB and DAB+ Multiplex
04.05.2012 - Ireland Ireland
DB Digital Broadcasting has engaged Factum to provide encoders, data broadcasting and multiplexing services for its new DAB/DAB+ network broadcasting to the cities of Dublin, Limerick and Cork.

Read more


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Key Information

Status: trial and/or regulation
Population: 4.9 million
Total Sales (cumulative): 400,000 devices
Penetration by household: Sparkline Graph 17%
Last update: 07.11.2024

Useful Links

FáilteDAB
Coimisiún na Meán
Commission for Communications Regulation (Comreg)