Dempsey announces digital TV project

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey has announced a Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) pilot project in Ireland.

The Minister's department has been planning the DTT pilot for a number of months and various procurement packages are being put together to implement it.

The first process is now underway, with the Department seeking expressions of interest around the multiplexing and networking elements of the pilot.

"I am committed to the long-term provision of a free-to-air digital terrestrial television platform in Ireland," said Minister Dempsey today.

"Most countries in Europe are starting to switch over from analogue terrestrial transmission to digital and for very good reasons. DTT can provide much more to the free-to-air viewer in terms of additional channels, improved quality of service and innovative new services."

Initial broadcasts will transmit from the Three Rock site in Dublin and the Clermont Carn site in Co Louth. Such transmissions will allow for technical testing of services.