RTÉ and TG4 will be available on all-Island basis for the first time following the roll-out of digital terrestrial television (DTT) by December 31st, 2012, the date when the existing analogue system will be switched off.
RTÉ plans to spend €70 million on a new terrestrial network which will operate from 51 transmitter sites providing coverage to 98 per cent of the population. The remaining 2 per cent will be serviced by a new satellite service.
Digital television will provide access to 7-9 TV channels, including RTÉ, TV3 and TG4, national radio channels, on screen programme information and a new digital teletext service.
Announcing the plans today, Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan said it was good news for television viewers and broadband users.
“Going digital will free up valuable spectrum which can be used for broadband and mobile services," he said.
“This will bring a huge boost to Ireland’s economic and social development by providing jobs, new services and revenue to the country.”