Noel Dempsey T.D. Announces Next Stage in Procurement of a Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Pilot in Ireland

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey T.D., has announced the next stage in the development of a Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Pilot in Ireland.  Expressions of interest and tenders are now currently being sought for the transmission equipment elements of the DTT Pilot. 

“Progress is continuing with plans for the DTT Pilot.  It is important that free-to-air broadcasts move from an analogue terrestrial basis to a digital terrestrial basis over time.  DTT is the more modern free-to-air technology that is being adopted by most countries across Europe in this regard.  This limited third party trial, to be run over approximately 24-months, will help explore and research the potential for DTT in Ireland” said Minister Dempsey today.

The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has been planning the DTT Pilot for a number of months and various procurement packages are underway.  “A tender process was started in June to select an operator for the multiplex and network element of the Pilot,” the Minister said.  “Six applicants have been short-listed for the multiplex and network component of the Pilot and have been invited to tender.  The short-listed applicants are Arqiva, BT, Chorus, Crowncastle (National Grid Wireless), Siemens and Simac.  The competitive response suggests a real interest in the provision of DTT infrastructure in Ireland,” said Dempsey.

Minister Dempsey described the Pilot as a suitable way forward in developing free-to-air digital television services in Ireland and in progressing a move towards analogue switch-off.  “Initial broadcasts will transmit from the Three Rock site in Dublin and the Clermont Carn site in County Louth, beginning in mid-2006.  The infrastructure will allow a basis for technical testing and spectrum-planning, for demonstrating broadcast channels and services, and for exploring the possibilities of digital television at the viewer and user level,” he said.  “DTT is one digital platform. I will be looking to explore possibilities for citizen-focussed digital television services that can be delivered across all platforms in the course of this Pilot.  While the pilot is underway, I intend to hold comprehensive discussions with all relevant stakeholders around the timing of analogue switch-off.  Switch-off of analogue television services is being strongly advocated by the European Commission, with 2012 a target date suggested by the Commission,” added the Minister.

Further details on the DTT Pilot can be found at the following address:

http://www.digitaltelevision.ie/

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