Frequently Asked Questions relating to the Digital Terrestrial Television Trial

Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) is an implementation of Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) technology to provide a greater number of channels and digital quality of sound and picture, through a conventional aerial. Digital terrestrial television is also known as DVB-T. Similar to standard analogue television, Digital Terrestrial Television is transmitted on radio frequencies (UHF). The primary difference is the use of multiplex transmitters which allow the reception of multiple channels in the same frequency space as that occupied by a single analogue channel. DTT is received via a set-top box, or integrated receiving device, that decodes the signal received via a standard aerial.

Digital Terrestrial Television uses digital technology to provide a greater number of channels, and digital quality of sound and picture, through a conventional aerial instead of a satellite dish or cable connection.

2.    How is DTT received?

DTT is received through a set-top box, or integrated receiving device, that decodes the signal received by a standard aerial. DTT does not require a satellite dish or cable connection.

3.    How long will the Pilot run for?

The Pilot is expected to operate for two years. Broadcasts began in August 2006 and are expected to continue until August 2008. This will allow time for a number of technology and user tests to be conducted.

4.    When will national roll-out of DTT happen?

National roll-out of DTT requires new legislation to be enacted. Currently legislation, the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006, is being debated in the Oireachtas. This Bill sets out a framework for the future licensing of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in Ireland. Once legislation for DTT is enacted, a national roll-out of DTT can commence.

5.    When will DTT legislation be put in place?

New Legislation, the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006, was published on 12 December 2006. The Bill sets out a framework for the future licensing of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in Ireland. The Bill is currently being debated in the Oireachtas.

Progress of this legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas can be followed here:

http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=6748

6.    What is the coverage area of the DTT trial?

Transmitters for the trial are located on Three Rock mountain in Dublin and Clermont Carn in Louth so coverage of the DTT trial is limited to Dublin County and the North East of the country.

7.    What content is available on the DTT Pilot?

Content on Phase Two of the Pilot includes the Irish free-to-air channels as well as UK mainstream, local and niche channels.

The current channel line-up is as follows:

Television

1. RTÉ 1
2. RTÉ 2
3. TV 3
4. TG 4
6. Channel 6
7. cBBC
8. cBeebies
9. BBC3
10. BBC4
11. BBC News 24
12. Sky News
13. Sky Sports 1
14. Extreme Sports
15. UK TV History
25. MPEG-4 Test Stream

Please note: Channels 6-25 are encrypted. Channel 25 uses MPEG-4 encoding. All other channels use MPEG-2 encoding.

Radio

701. RTE Radio One
702. RTE 2FM
703. RTE Lyric FM
704. RTE Radio Na Gaeltachta
705. Today FM
706. RTE Radio One (AM)

Communicorp and Digital Radio Ireland will also supply radio channels at a later date.

8.    Who can participate in the trial?

Under the terms of the Departments trial licence from the Communications Regulator, ComReg, the number of participants in the trial is restricted. To recruit members of the public to participate the Trial, the Department has engaged a market research company. This company has been tasked to find a total of 500 households from the Dublin area and the North East of the country to participate in the trial.