Progress Towards National Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Services

Progress on the RTÉ Free to Air DTT Service

RTÉ has not yet launched it's DTT service.  Cosequently there is no Irish DTT service available.   The DTT network is currently being built and tested. 

RTÉ Networks Limited (RTÉNL) is a subsidiary of RTÉ and is responsible for building RTÉ’s DTT national network.   To date, RTÉNL has digitally enabled the 13 main transmitter sites in Ireland and is operating a series of tests from these sites.


Further information on the DTT network build and testing can be found on the RTÉNL website – http://www.rtenl.ie/

Progress on the development of Commercial DTT services

At present there are no commercial DTT operators licensed to provide commercial DTT services in Ireland.    The BAI is currently involved in a competitive process and is seeking to contract commercial DTT service providers.   

Further information on the status of this process is available from the BAI. 

Information on DTT Receivers

Currently there are no DTT receivers ( set top boxes, PVR's or televisions) which are approved for use on the RTÉ DTT network.  RTÉ has developed a specification for Irish DTT receivers. A copy of this  specification  is available from the RTÉNL website, http://www.rtenl.ie/.  RTÉ is also in the process of finalising a testing regime and certification process so that DTT receivers suitable for use in Ireland will be clearly labelled.  

The latest information on DTT receivers is available from RTÉ and the BAI.   

Warning:

There are some digital televisions for sale in Ireland which are marked “Freeview”, have the UK’s “digital tick” logo ttp://www.digitallogo.co.uk/) or are marked as being suitable for use in other European Countries.  This means that they are compatible with DTT systems in the UK or elsewhere in Europe.  There are no televisions currently approved for use on the Irish DTT network. 


DTT receivers/decoders

There are essentially three types of DTT receivers/decoders that are used in typical households in existing DTT markets. 


A Set top Box  (STB)
A Personal video Recorder (PVR)
An Integrated Digital Television (iDTV)

A description of these devices is available in the glossary.

The simplest of these is the set top box which is relatively cheap and can be used in conjunction with most existing TV sets. It is similar to the type of set top box used by those who currently receive digital cable, MMDS or satellite services. 

The PVR is more expensive but offers additional functionality such as the capability to record programmes and freeze programmes for viewing later.

An Integrated Digital Television (iDTV) is the digital equivalent of the analogue TV and allows viewers to receive free to air terrestrial digital TV content without the use of an external set top box.