Information to Retailers

A free-to-air Digital terrestrial TV (DTT) service providing access to the existing national TV channels and some new Irish TV channels is due to be launched in Ireland.   This service will be  provided by RTÉ using a netwrk built by RTÉNL.

A commercial DTT service is also expected be made available.

The free to air DTT service will be provided by RTÉ. There are engineering tests taking place currently on the 13 main transmitter sites in preparation for service launch. These engineering tests carrying RTÉ, TV3 and TG4 are operating using the MPEG4 specifications. More details are available from RTÉ Networks Ltd http://www.rtenl.ie/.


The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is responsible for contracting commercial DTT service providers. The BAI has indicated that  OneVision will operate the commercial DTT service. 

Updated information on RTÉ's plans for DTT services and the plans for commercial DTT  are available form RTÉ and the BAI.  (http://www.rte.ie/, http://www.rtenl.ie/ and http://www.bai.ie).  

DTT Receivers

A minimum specification for DTT receivers for the Irish Market has been finalised and is posted on the RTÉNL website:

 http://www.rtenl.ie/downloads/RTE-FTA-DTT-Receiver-Spec.pdf

 In addition the following document is also posted on the website:

 http://http://www.rtenl.ie/downloads/NorDig-Unified_ver_2.0.pdf


The RTÉNL DTT network uses the MPEG 4 compression standard and MHEG 5 (V6) middleware   MPEG 4 is different to the MPEG 2 compression standard used in the UK.  Retailers should note that televisions with MPEG 2 tuners only, will not pick up the Irish DTT service, when it develops.

RTÉ is currently finalising decisions in relation to testing and certification procedures for Irish DTT receivers.  Interested retailers are encouraged to contact RTÉ for further information.   

Retailers are requested to ensure that all iDTV’s  for sale in Ireland will be compatible with the Irish DTT network, when it launches.  Retailers are also requested to provide information to their customers on DTT. 

In addition, retailers are urged to ensure that a sufficient range of receivers (including set top boxes, integrated digital televisions and personal video recorders) specified for use on the Irish DTT network are available to consumers for the launch of DTT services in Ireland.