I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 85, 94, 111, 119, 124 and 125 together.
A digital terrestrial television (DTT) pilot programme is currently being implemented by my Department. The purpose of the pilot is to bring further momentum to the transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting and to test and trial various aspects of the service.
The infrastructure for the DTT pilot is now in the roll-out phase and is expected to be operational by autumn 2006. The initial transmission sites are at Clermont Carn in the northeast and Three Rock covering parts of the Dublin region. The trial is planned to continue over a two-year timeframe and will provide the opportunity for technical and user testing of both existing and new broadcast services, including both television and audio services.
Figures by the CSO from February 2006 indicate that the total number of households with a television in 2005 was 1.43 million. Surveys by ComReg suggest that at the end of the first quarter of 2006, there were approximately 641,000 digital TV subscribers which include cable/MMDS and satellite customers. Digital households now represent approximately 45% of all households with a television.
At the end of the 1st quarter of 2006, there were approximately 570,300 subscribers to cable/MMDS television services in Ireland. Digital subscribers, as opposed to analogue subscribers, have increased in number, now representing 41% of cable/MMDS subscribers. Surveys by ComReg indicate that approximately 32% of Irish households currently receive free-to-air analogue services.
My Department's broadcasting policy objectives include seeking to retain access to a range of high quality programming in analogue and digital format on a universal and free-to-air basis. The DTT pilot demonstrates my commitment to the long-term provision of free-to-air DTT in Ireland. The trial will operate under a trial licence granted by Comreg and as such, it is not intended that any charges will be applied for services broadcast during the two-year period.
As the pilot is developed and proposals for a national DTT rollout emerge, I will outline my intentions regarding digital switchover. Switch-off of analogue television services is being strongly advocated by the European Commission, with 2012 a target date suggested by the Commission. While the pilot is underway, I intend to hold discussions with all relevant stakeholders around the issue of digital switchover.
When decisions have been taken about the nature and timing of analogue switch over, it will be necessary to ensure that Irish viewers are fully informed of all the issues arising.
According to a report by Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, nearly 70% of UK households received digital television services at the end of 2005. Western European countries have an average of 30% digital households while the United States have nearly 55% of households with digital services. Surveys indicate that Finland, Sweden, Norway and Italy all have at least 30% of digital households currently. By comparison, Ireland currently has approximately 45% of households receiving digital services.