Population:	4.0 million
Coverage:	44%
Services:	20 DAB

Last update: 24-07-2008

In March 2008 RTÉ Radio's DAB trial was extended to bring coverage to Cork and Limerick. This is in addition to the existing coverage in Greater Dublin and the North East area and means that 44% of the population are now covered. The trial broadcasts are being led by RTÉ in cooperation with digitalRadio.ie, an industry group set up to explore the development and promotion of digital radio in Ireland. The members of this group are: 98FM, Digital Audio Productions, FM104, Newstalk 106-108 FM, Phantom 105.2, Q102, RTÉ Radio, SPIN 1038 and Today FM. 

There are now 22 trial services on-air including ten new digital only Irish stations, with a further station (RTÉ Playback) due on air in the second half of 2008.

As can be seen from the map, coverage is mainly focussed on the East coast, and nearby areas.  There are two transmitters: Three Rock which covers the capital, Dublin; and Clermont Cam which provides coverage around Dundalk.

In this country there are

• National multiplex: 1 Trial
• Regional multiplexes: 2 Trial

In March 2007 the Broadcast (Amendment) Act was passed into law. This makes provision for the licensing of sound broadcast multiplexes to RTÉ and to the commercial sector.  In June, the 2008 Broadcast Bill was published. This is expected to be enacted by the end of the year. The Bill proposes the establishment of a single regulator for both public and commercial broadcasters, the B.A.I. (Broadcasting Authority of Ireland). With respect to DAB, the Bill allows the regulator to determine DAB multiplex coverage areas and makes provision for the migration of existing broadcasters in those coverage areas to migrate to DAB through the concept of "relevant incumbent". The multiplex operator is then obliged to carry these services. Once an existing broadcaster begins transmission on DAB there is a provision for an extension of their FM licence for up to four years.

RTÉ is now broadcasting its second digital trial since November 2007 and expects ComReg to award it a full national multiplex licence by the end of November 2008.  RTÉ Radio then plans to launch a digital radio awareness campaign around its digital services and new ways to listen.