BT Communications (Ireland) will provide a multiplexing and distribution service to the DTT Pilot. Multiplexing is the technical service in which television signals are compressed for higher quality reception and more efficient use of broadcast spectrum. NEC (UK) Limited will supply and install the transmission and combining systems required for the DTT Pilot. RTÉ Transmission Network Limited, which maintains Ireland's international co-ordinated high-power broadcast sites, will assist the Minister and his Department in the development and operation of the pilot project.

Minister Dempsey described the pilot as a means to explore the possibilities around a switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial television on a nationwide basis.

“Not only will the project create an opportunity to test and trial this type of broadcasting service, but it will also generate awareness and discussion among interested parties in a full roll-out of digital terrestrial television,” said Minister Dempsey today.

The DTT pilot is currently in the build phase and is expected to be operational by mid-August 2006. It is planned to continue the pilot over a two-year timeframe, during which time broadcasts will transmit from the Three Rock site in Dublin and the Clermont Carn site in County Louth. The trial provides the opportunity for technical testing of services, both of existing and new broadcast channels and services, while allowing for viewers to experience the new service at user level. Broadcasts will be initailly across three multiplexes with the option of adding a fourth multiplex.

“This pilot is an important and exciting development in Ireland’s long-term broadcasting strategy. I am committed to ensuring that Ireland keeps pace with the high-tech developments in communications being implemented across the EU. A free-to-air DTT service can provide much more for Irish viewers in terms of new, quality services and additional channels,” concluded Minister Dempsey. "The Pilot should be seen as a presursor to a national rollout of DTT, which is a prerequisite for analogue switch-off and good spectrum planning for the future. The European Commission is proposing 2012 as a switch-off date across Europe. We should set our sights on 2012 as a date for completing the transition to digital television."