RTE Expand DAB
RTÉ have announced an expansion of their DAB transmission network which will see DAB coverage reaching over half of the Irish population.
Currently RTÉ’s DAB transmission network includes sites in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Clermon Carn Co.Louth serving many of Irelands main cities.
Now a new transmitter located on the Kippure transmission site will bring DAB to many of the midland counties including Kildare, Laois, Meath, Offaly and Westmeath. Broadcasting will commence before Christmas.
A map of the new broadcast area is available here and the accompanying RTÉ press release is below;
RTÉ Radio is expanding its digital radio network. This will make its four nationwide FM services and an additional seven digital-exclusive radio services available to over half of the population in nine counties via the digital platform.
By Christmas, listeners in counties Kildare, Laois, Louth, Meath, Offaly and Westmeath will be able to enjoy DAB digital radio. The announcement comes as RTÉ celebrates the first anniversary of its launch of digital radio on December 1st 2008.
By re-using equipment used in previous digital trials, RTÉ has been able to deliver this expansion without incurring any capital costs.
RTÉ Radio Director of Operations JP Coakley says: “I’m delighted that digital radio is now available to over half the population, meaning more people can experience the benefits of digital radio. With this latest expansion of the network, RTÉ Radio is contributing to the development of Ireland’s digital infrastructure and bringing a new free-to-air method of radio listening to audiences in a very cost-efficient manner.”
DAB digital radio has been available to listeners in the greater Dublin area, Cork and Limerick city since last year’s launch, which followed a twenty-month period of extensive trials. This latest expansion is the second phase in RTÉ Radio’s digital radio network rollout with 52% of the population now able to access the service.
RTÉ intends to roll out digital radio to 56% of the population over the coming two years. However any further roll out will require a regulatory framework that will allow commercial broadcasters to move to digital radio. This is to ensure that the whole industry moves together for the benefit of the listener. The BCI commissioned a report on digital radio in Ireland and published the findings in September this year. The report makes a series of recommendations including the establishment of a digital radio forum and the development of a policy white paper.
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I would like to buy my mother a digital radio but she likes to listen to Irish programmes – she is based in S.London UK -on the radio and the LW 252 reception is intermittent. Do you have a DAB service (inc frequency if you have) or other Irish radio stations you know of on DAB. Would be very grateful of info.
Mary
Hi Mary,
DAB is similar to FM … as you would not expect to receive Irish stations on FM in London .. you will not receive them on DAB either.
I have two solutions for your mum.
1 – SKY: If you mum has Sky satellite television, look under the “Radio Section” and you’ll find all the RTE Radio channels.
2 – WI-FI Radio: I recommend the Roberts WM-202 as it has FM/DAB for all the local stations + Wi-Fi to get RTE via internet radio. Once it’s set up it’s dead easy to use.
HI
When will dab be available in south Kilkenny (piltown) and Waterford City.
Paul.
Hi Paul,
RTE have no immediate plans to expand their DAB coverage which excludes South Kilkenny for now. However, there is a short-term DAB trial being run by Total Broadcast right now (Jan 2011). If you tune a DAB radio in Waterford City you should be able to receive all the local stations plus some Dublin based stations on DAB. For more information on that see http://www.totalbroadcast.net/DAB.html
Hi,
When do expect to relay BBC radio stations on DAB in Ireland ? I assume that when the BBC switches off the FM and LW frequencies their stations will not be available here except through the internet or satellite/cable TV which is not great if the TV is in use as a TV when you want to use as a radio.
I’m sure you already know that BBC Radio 3 and 4 have a large number of listeners here.
David.
Hi David,
I do not expect the BBC will be available on DAB in Ireland … ever.
DAB transmits in a similar fashion to FM. Just like the BBC never established any FM transmitters in the Republic they will not establish any DAB transmitters either.
You are 100% correct to say you will still be able to receive the BBC broadcasts via satellite or the internet.
Cheers
Dusty
BBC Radio stations are available over the internet in the Republic of Ireland. The only restrictions are on copyright (usually sports) programmes on BBC Radio Five live sport and Five Live when they are broadcasting soccer matches which are copyright restricted.
I listen to BBC Radio a lot over the internet.
Just go to http://www.bbc.co.uk and follow the links for radio.
BBC World Service and BBC World Service (rolling news) are also available on internet radio on smart phones
I just purchased a DAB radio but unfortunately I cannot receive any DAB signal. I can of course return the radio and get a refund if there will not be any DAB broadcasts available within the next year or so.
I understood that DAB radio was already rolled out nationwide with the same coverage as Saorview Digital TV.
I live in Ballina, Co. Mayo and receive good quality FM from Truskmore and other transmitters. I realise now after looking at the coverage map that there is no DAB transmitter near me. Does anybody know when DAB will be available in Mayo?
Hi Michael,
Sorry to hear you’d bought the DAB radio before you copped the digital coverage area. As far as I know RTE have no plans to expand DAB transmissions into Mayo next year. However, there are some things bubbling under that will get DAB back on planning schedules in 2012 so I’m sure DAB will eventually get better coverage in the West.
Cheers,
Dusty
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