Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2013
191. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding DAB radio service to rural communities, especially where FM radio coverage is extremely bad (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43087/13]
View answerDAB, or Digital Audio Broadcasting, uses digital technology for broadcasting radio signals. The main advantage of digital over analogue technology is that it can be used to accommodate more radio services into less spectrum or frequencies. Regarding signal coverage, my understanding is that a DAB transmitter is expected to provide slightly less coverage than an FM transmitter. This means that if an FM transmitter was replaced by a DAB transmitter, there may be no DAB signal at all in areas where there had previously been a poor FM signal.
In regard to the general provision of DAB services, the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the development of digital radio in Ireland. This Act gives RTÉ the power to establish and operate a multiplex for the purposes of providing a digital sound broadcasting service and gives the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) responsibility for licensing spectrum in respect of digital sound broadcasting services. In addition, it provides that the primary responsibility for ensuring the development of commercial digital radio rests with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
In regard to the current availability of DAB services in Ireland, RTÉ operates a DAB service from five sites around the country and there is also a commercial trial DAB service operating from Three Rock Mountain near Dublin. I should also mention that the 2009 Act permits analogue sound broadcasting contractors to be retransmitted in a digital format on UPC and other cable television systems and a number of radio services are available in a digital format via this medium. These include RTÉ radio services and a number of local and national sound broadcasters.
While there are no plans at present to rollout DAB services on a national basis, the BAI will continue to monitor and consider the potential for the development of digital radio in Ireland. In this regard, the BAI has supported various DAB trials, has organised research and will further discuss the potential for DAB or other types of digital radio services through stakeholder meetings in 2013 and 2014.
Finally, it should be noted that the national radio services are available on SAORVIEW and SAORSAT.
