Frequency planning for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services requires consultation with frequency planners in other countries, in particular, the United Kingdom . This process is highly iterative and the frequency plan has been developed over many years. Frequency planning is undertaken by a group comprised of representatives of RTÉNL, the BAI and The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). As the main transmission network provider, RTÉNL is a key member of the group and will have to implement the finalised plans.
Frequency planning has been done on the basis of planning for 6 DTT multiplexes (2 Public Service Broadcast (PSB) and 4 Commercial) at 51 sites using the UHF bands. Following the failure of the BAI competition for commercial multiplexes, there are no current plans to launch commercial multiplexes.
The portion of the UHF band used by DTT in Ireland ranges from 470-790 MHz or from channel 21 to channel 60. Channels adjacent to the DTT service are planned for other services. Further information on this is available from ComReg.
The RTÉNL national analogue TV network (old TV network) serves 98% of the population from over 150 transmission sites and RTÉ has advised that the same percentage of the population will receive DTT services from 51 sites. A map showing the location of the transmission sites is available by following this link. This includes some new sites. Viewers who have previously received analogue TV from a site which will not offer Saorview may have to realign their TV aerials to a suitable transmitter site for Saorview.
Details of the most appropriate transmitter site, channel, polarisation and bearing from any location in Ireland are provided at the coverage checker map on the Saorview website.
RTÉNL plans to make digital television services available to the 2% unable to receive a terrestrial signal via a new satellite service in the Ka Band.