Telecommunications mast Three Rock mt Dublin, Ireland

Digital Radio in the

Republic of Ireland Ireland ( ga, Éire ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (), is a country in north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 counties of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city is Dublin, on the eastern side of the island. A ...

is broadcast on a number of

digital terrestrial Digital terrestrial television (DTTV or DTT, or DTTB with "broadcasting") is a technology for terrestrial television in which land-based (terrestrial) television stations broadcast television content by radio waves to televisions in consumers' ...

cable Cable may refer to: Mechanical * Nautical cable, an assembly of three or more ropes woven against the weave of the ropes, rendering it virtually waterproof * Wire rope, a type of rope that consists of several strands of metal wire laid into a hel ...

and

internet The Internet (or internet) is the global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a '' network of networks'' that consists of private, pub ...

platforms. Until the 31 March 2021, official broadcasts of the

digital audio broadcasting Digital radio is the use of digital technology to transmit or receive across the radio spectrum. Digital transmission by radio waves includes digital broadcasting, and especially digital audio radio services. Types In digital broadcasting syst ...

standard were also available in the state by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) of their full banquet of radio services. DAB broadcasts since April 2021 are now restricted to unlicensed, low powered multiplexes in a small number of locations.

Digital Terrestrial Television

All of RTE's digital radio services and the private radio service, Radio Maria Ireland are available on

Saorview Saorview ( ) is the national digital terrestrial television (DTT) service in Ireland. It is owned by RTÉ and operated by 2RN. The service began operation on 29 October 2010 on a trial basis with a full launch on 26 May 2011. By legislation i ...

. Generic

DVB Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) is a set of international open standards for digital television. DVB standards are maintained by the DVB Project, an international industry consortium, and are published by a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) o ...

receivers generally need mains power, but are typically cheaper than DAB radios. Many portable DAB radio sets have 1/10th to 1/50th of the running time of an AM/FM set, typically giving only 6 hours use. There are also in-dash DVB Terrestrial receivers for cars, though it is illegal for the driver to watch the TV channels. One of the criticisms of digital radio services in Ireland is that they predominately use 128kbps

MPEG-1 Audio Layer II MPEG-1 Audio Layer II or MPEG-2 Audio Layer II (MP2, sometimes incorrectly called Musicam or MUSICAM) is a lossy audio compression format defined by ISO/IEC 11172-3 alongside MPEG-1 Audio Layer I and MPEG-1 Audio Layer III (MP3). While MP3 is m ...

audio as a maximum bit rate, replicating the situation found on

digital radio in the United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, the roll-out of digital radio has been proceeding since engineering test transmissions were started by the BBC in 1990 followed by a public launch in September 1995. The UK currently has one of the world's biggest digital ...

Digital Satellite

A number of public and private radio services from Ireland are available nationwide on both

Saorsat Saorsat ( ; the Irish word Saor, meaning free, therefore implying an Irish analogue of the UK's Freesat) is a free-to-air satellite service in Ireland. The service launched on 3 May 2012. Overview The RTÉ Network Limited (RTÉNL) analogue te ...

and

Sky The sky is an unobstructed view upward from the surface of the Earth. It includes the atmosphere and outer space. It may also be considered a place between the ground and outer space, thus distinct from outer space. In the field of astronomy, ...

where 99% of geographic coverage is possible.

Internet Radio

A number of public and private radio services are available across the state from broadband internet and mobile phone networks receivable on

smartphone A smartphone is a portable computer device that combines mobile telephone and computing functions into one unit. They are distinguished from feature phones by their stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems, whic ...

Internet radio device An Internet radio device, also called network music player is a hardware device that is capable of receiving and playing streamed media from either Internet radio stations or a home network. Background Streaming media became mainstream with the ...

s and

smart speaker A smart speaker is a type of loudspeaker and voice command device with an integrated virtual assistant that offers interactive actions and hands-free activation with the help of one "hot word" (or several "hot words"). Some smart speakers can al ...

Digital Audio Broadcasting

Digital Audio Broadcasting Digital radio is the use of digital technology to transmit or receive across the radio spectrum. Digital transmission by radio waves includes digital broadcasting, and especially digital audio radio services. Types In digital broadcasting syst ...

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

is no longer legally and officially one of the forms of

digital radio Digital radio is the use of digital technology to transmit or receive across the radio spectrum. Digital transmission by radio waves includes digital broadcasting, and especially digital audio radio services. Types In digital broadcasting syst ...

transmission in the state. Only a small number of unlicensed low powered, small scale DAB multiplexes are running in the state. Areas near the border of

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...

can receive over-spill reception of UK national, Northern Ireland local and small scale multiplexes. DAB was launched to the public on 30 November 2006, with a number of trials taking place in 1998, 2001 and 2006. Before April 2021, 52% of Ireland's population - mainly in Counties

Cork Cork or CORK may refer to: Materials * Cork (material), an impermeable buoyant plant product ** Cork (plug), a cylindrical or conical object used to seal a container ***Wine cork Places Ireland * Cork (city) ** Metropolitan Cork, also known as G ...

Limerick Limerick ( ; ga, Luimneach ) is a western city in Ireland situated within County Limerick. It is in the province of Munster and is located in the Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region. With a population of 94,192 at the 2016 ...

and the North East - could receive permanent DAB services. Geographic coverage on a portable or car radio was much less. The service began to be marketed in May 2007 by a collective of commercial broadcasters, digitalradio.ie; and receivers to this day are still sold by most major electronics retailers. Since 2010, a number of privately run trial broadcasts have been made.

Former National Multiplexes

DAB Ireland Mux1 (RTE - 2006 to 2021)

The first national public service multiplex operated on Block 12C (227.360 MHz) by RTE from just five transmitters:

Three Rock Three Rock Mountain (; archaic: ''Sliabh Ruadh'') is a mountain in Co Dublin, Ireland. It is high and forms part of the group of hills in the Dublin Mountains which comprises Two Rock, Three Rock, Kilmashogue and Tibradden Mountains. The mo ...

Co. Dublin,

Kippure Kippure () at , is the 56th-highest peak in Ireland on the Arderin scale, and the 72nd-highest peak on the Vandeleur-Lynam scale.Mountainviews, (September 2013), "A Guide to Ireland's Mountain Summits: The Vandeleur-Lynams & the Arderins", Colli ...

Co. Wicklow,

Clermont Carn Clermont Carn (), also known as Black Mountain, is a mountain that rises to in the Cooley Mountains of County Louth, Ireland. It is at the border with Northern Ireland, and is also the location of the Clermont Carn transmission site. The moun ...

Co. Louth,

Spur Hill The Spur Hill transmission site is located to the south of the city of Cork, Ireland, just north west of Cork airport, on a hill with a 137 metre elevation. The transmitter was initially opened in 1965 as a VHF television relay of the main Mu ...

Cork, and Woodcock Hill Limerick. Hence the service was only available in parts of Ireland. Its line-up has varied heavily since its launch - initially on 1 January 2006. All stations were provided by

RTÉ (RTÉ) (; Irish language, Irish for "Radio & Television of Ireland") is the Public broadcaster, national broadcaster of Republic of Ireland, Ireland headquartered in Dublin. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on RTÉ Television, telev ...

. It carried the following stations:DAB Ensembles Worldwide , Ireland
/ref> *

RTÉ Radio 1 RTÉ Radio 1 ( ga, RTÉ Raidió 1) is an Irish national radio station owned and operated by RTÉ and is the direct descendant of Dublin radio station 2RN, which began broadcasting on a regular basis on 1 January 1926. The total budget for th ...

, 128 kbit/s Stereo *

RTÉ Radio 1 Extra RTÉ Radio 1 Extra is a digital radio station produced by the Irish public-service broadcasting service Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). History Initially launched on 1 December 2008 as RTÉ Choice alongside five other new digital channels ...

, 64 kbit/s Mono (part-time service, used bandwidth from Chill) *

RTÉ 2fm (RTÉ) (; Irish for "Radio & Television of Ireland") is the national broadcaster of Ireland headquartered in Dublin. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on television, radio and online. The radio service began on 1 January 1926, while ...

, 128 kbit/s Stereo *

RTÉ lyric fm RTÉ Lyric FM (stylised as RTÉ lyric fm) is an Irish classical-music and arts radio station, owned and operated by RTÉ. The station, which is based in Limerick, was launched in 1999 and is available on FM throughout Ireland (in some areas a ...

, 160 kbit/s Stereo *

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta (; "Radio of the Gaeltacht"), abbreviated RnaG, is an Irish language radio station owned and operated by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). The station is available on FM in Ireland and via satellite and on the Intern ...

, 112 kbit/s Stereo *

RTÉ Gold RTÉ Gold is an Irish radio station broadcasting on Saorview, online, and Virgin Media. RTE Gold is also available on Eir TV (eirtv /eir vision) eir Background The station plays music from the 1950s to the 2000s. Weekday programming has pre ...

, 128 kbit/s Stereo *

RTÉ 2XM RTÉ 2XM is a digital radio station of the Irish public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). RTÉ 2XM is a sister station to RTÉ 2fm and focuses on alternative and indie music. The station is available nationally on Saorvie ...

, 128 kbit/s Stereo *

RTÉ Junior (RTÉ) (; Irish for "Radio & Television of Ireland") is the national broadcaster of Ireland headquartered in Dublin. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on television, radio and online. The radio service began on 1 January 1926, while ...

, 128 kbit/s Stereo (07:00-21:00, timeshared a slot with RTÉ Chill). Drops to 96kbit/s Mono when required *

RTÉ Chill RTÉ Chill is a digital radio station of the Irish public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). It broadcasts mostly chillout and ambient music as well as other low-tempo genres and typically features the output of such cutti ...

, 128 kbit/s Stereo (21:00-07:00, timeshared a slot with RTÉ Junior). Drops to 96kbit/s Mono when required *

RTÉ Pulse RTÉ Pulse is an electronic dance music station from Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), Ireland's national broadcaster. It plays a varied mix of dance music, with a small number of shows covering RnB. It started broadcasting in April 2008, but ...

, 128 kbit/s Stereo. It was proposed to close the RTÉ DAB service as well as the Digital only RTE radio channels as part of the November 2019 cost saving plan. This proposed closure was set to take place in April 2020 but was delayed pending review through the outcome of a commissioned report. In March 2021, RTÉ announced that it is to cease transmission of its radio services on the Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) network on 31 March 2021. A report commissioned by the broadcaster found that just 0.5% of adults in Ireland listen to radio via DAB while 77% of adults in Ireland listen on FM.

DAB Ireland Mux2

=(2007–08)

= No longer operating since November 2008, this multiplex launched in mid-March 2007 and operated from Three Rock Mountain and Clermont Carn on Block 12A (223.936 MHz). It carried ten services - four stations supplied by

Communicorp Bauer Media Audio Ireland (formerly Communicorp Group) is a media holding company based in Ireland, owned by Bauer Media Group. History Communicorp Group Ltd was formed by Denis O'Brien in 1989. It launched its radio operations in Ireland that ...

, two by Digital Audio Productions, two by

UTV Radio Wireless Group Limited is a radio and digital broadcasting network with headquarters in Belfast, Northern Ireland and with radio operations in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. It currently operates five stations in Ireland and ...

, and two privately held. As of July 2008, it consisted of: * All 80s, 128kbit/s Stereo *

Dublin's 98FM 98FM is a local radio station in Dublin, Ireland, operated by Bauer Media Audio Ireland, under a sound broadcasting contract from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The station broadcasts on the 98.1 MHz FM frequency. 98FM's broadca ...

, 128 kbit/s Stereo *

FM104 FM104 is an independent local radio station broadcast across Dublin, Ireland, on the frequency 104.4 MHz. It is operated by Capital Radio Productions Limited (unconnected with, and not to be confused with, Capital Radio plc), and is a sub ...

, 128 kbit/s Stereo * Mocha, 128kbit/s Stereo *

Newstalk Newstalk (formerly NewsTalk 106) is a national independent radio station in Ireland. It is operated by News 106 Limited, a subsidiary of Bauer Media Audio Ireland, and broadcasts under a sound broadcasting contract with the Broadcasting Autho ...

, 64 kbit/s Mono *

Phantom FM TXFM (formerly Phantom 105.2) was a Dublin based radio station, founded in 1997 as a pirate radio station. TXFM broadcast under a contract awarded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). The station ceased broadcasting on 26 October 2016 ...

, 128 kbit/s Stereo *

Q102 Q102 may refer to: * Quran 102, the 102nd chapter of the Islamic Holy book Transportation * Q102 (New York City bus) Radio stations * Q102 (Pirate Station) in London, United Kingdom; the precursor to XFM London * Q102.9 in Derry, Northern Irelan ...

, 128 kbit/s Stereo *

Radio Kerry Radio Kerry is a full-service, licensed radio station that operates from the franchise area of County Kerry in Southwest Ireland. Radio Kerry was established in 1989 and began broadcasting on 14 July 1990. The station headquarters are in Tral ...

, 96 kbit/s Mono *

Today FM Today FM is an Irish national commercial FM radio station, owned and operated by Bauer Audio Ireland Limited. Broadcasting since 17 March 1997, it broadcasts mostly music, with a daily news and current affairs programme. Today FM holds a lic ...

, 128 kbit/s Stereo * SPIN 1038, 128 kbit/s Stereo *

Raidió Rí-Rá Raidió Rí-Rá (; "Radio Fun"), founded in 2008, is an Irish language chart music radio station broadcasting on DAB in County Waterford and Dublin, on the Internet, and, for approximately one month a year, on FM radio. The station has offices on H ...

Radio stations licensed by the broadcasting commission of Ireland ceased broadcasting on Ireland's second digital radio multiplex (Mux 2) on Sunday, 30 November 2008. The stations were broadcasting on Mux 2 as part of a digital radio trial. RTÉ continues to broadcast on the RTÉ multiplex.

ComReg The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) ( ga, An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide) is the general communications regulator for Ireland, covering almost all possible types of communications. Founded on 1 December 2002, ComReg too ...

and the BCI are currently exploring regulatory frameworks for digital radio multiplex licensing and broadcast licences.

= (DB Digital Broadcasting - 2012 to 2017)

= DB Digital Broadcasting launched a national multiplex in selected areas of Ireland in July 2012. Plans to expand to Limerick were dropped in 2014. The multiplex closed on June 30, 2017 after a lack of enthusiasm for DAB from the commercial sector and after its licence expired from ComReg. The operator is attempting to relaunch a national service after the announcement of the closure of the first national multiplex.

Former trial multiplexes

South-East (TOTAL-DAB) DAB trials (2010 to 2012)

DAB and DAB+ trials were begun in April 2010 in the South-East area of Ireland on channel 9B (204.64 MHz) by Total Broadcast Consultants Ltd, a broadcast engineering company. The company initially obtained a 1-year test and trial licence from ComReg to perform tests from sites, initially just in Waterford City. But from mid May, the trial multiplex was expanded to cover much of the South East of Ireland via a high site in the Blackstairs Mountains, providing coverage in Co. Wexford, Co. Carlow, Co. Kilkenny and East Co. Waterford. In March 2011, a 1-year extension was granted. This was the first DAB multiplex in Ireland to be operated by an independent/private organisation (RTÉ NL operating previous multiplexes), and the first known broadcasts of DAB+ content in Ireland. In addition to all local and regional radio stations, it was carrying several stations previously unavailable in the region. Past trial participants have included Christmas FM, Zenith Classic Rock & Raidió Rí-Rá. * 4fm, 160kbit/s Stereo *

Beat 102 103 Beat 102 103 is an independent regional radio station in the Republic of Ireland licensed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland covering counties Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Tipperary in South East Ireland. It began broadcas ...

, 192kbit/s Stereo *

Sunshine Sunlight is a portion of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun, in particular infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. On Earth, sunlight is scattered and filtered through Earth's atmosphere, and is obvious as daylight when th ...

, 128kbit/s Stereo *

KCLR 96FM KCLR 96FM is an Irish radio station which broadcasts to Carlow and Kilkenny in Ireland. It began broadcasting in May 2004. Schedule KCLR breakfast with John Walsh is a three-hour show from 7am to 10am and continues to be the most popular br ...

, 48kbit/s DAB+ Stereo *

, 128kbit/s Stereo * Radio Nova, 192kbit/s Stereo *

, 72kbit/s DAB+ Stereo *

South East Radio South East Radio is an Irish radio station based in County Wexford, broadcasting at 95.6; 96.2, and 96.4 MHz., The station also broadcasts on the same frequencies into adjoining counties - including Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford. South ...

, 88kbit/s DAB+ Stereo * talkSPORT, 56kbit/s Mono *

Tipp FM Tipp FM (Tipperary Local Radio), licensed since 1989 by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, is the local radio station covering County Tipperary. In addition to the official franchise area, the station also enjoys a listenership in neighbo ...

, 56kbit/s DAB+ Stereo * UCB Ireland, 32kbit/s AAC+ *

WLR FM WLR FM, or more commonly WLR (Waterford Local Radio) is the local radio station covering Waterford City and County, Ireland. It is Ireland's Local Station of the Year 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022. In addition to the official franchise area, the stat ...

, 64kbit/s AAC+ Stereo

Dublin 2018 trial

A test service in

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...

served parts of the city on Channels 5A and 5B carrying both RTE and Independent local radio services from both Dublin and Cork.

Cork City 2018/19 DAB Trial (éirdab)

A small scale DAB trial launched in August 2018 in Cork City, Ireland on channel 11A (216.928 MHz). It was operated by Viamux Ltd (éirdab), a DAB/DAB+ digital radio solutions company. éirdab has a 1-year test and trial licence from

Comreg The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) ( ga, An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide) is the general communications regulator for Ireland, covering almost all possible types of communications. Founded on 1 December 2002, ComReg too ...

to perform tests from a site in Cork City. éirdab has invited all local and regional radio stations to join the multiplex. It also carried stations previously unavailable to listeners in the area. Stations include: *

Radio Maria Radio Maria (formally known as The World Family of Radio Maria; es, link=no, Radio María, pt, Rádio Maria, hr, Radio Marija, mt, Radju Marija, lt, Marijos Radijas, hu, Mária Rádió, russian: Радио Мария, uk, Радіо Ма� ...

, 128kbit/s Stereo *

United Christian Broadcasters United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) is an international Christian broadcasting and media group, founded by Rhema Media. Through affiliates in twenty five countries, it operates radio and television stations and publishes and broadcasts Bob Ga ...

, 128kbit/s Stereo *

Juice Cork Juice is a drink made from the extraction or pressing of the natural liquid contained in fruit and vegetables. It can also refer to liquids that are flavored with concentrate or other biological food sources, such as meat or seafood, suc ...

, 192kbit/s Stereo

Current unlicensed DAB multiplexes

A small number of unlicensed independent DAB multiplexes are available in a few locations.

Ireland FreeDAB Network (FreeDAB)

The FreeDAB network carried a number of low-powered multiplexes in Cork, Dublin, the north and north east of Ireland and Sligo. The broadcaster was raided by the Garda in 2020 but has since resumed broadcasting in Cork, Dublin, Sligo, Waterford, Dundalk, Limerick,

References

External links