Digital Switchover in Ireland
The rollout of digital television and the closure of the analogue TV network will impact households nationally and will ultimately have long term benefits for Ireland. The digital switchover process is the primary responsibility of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with several key stakeholders, RTÉ, ComReg and the BAI, playing pivotal roles.
In summary, the Digital Switchover Programme can be described in a number of stages and activities and across various disciplines and organisations as follows:
Rollout of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services
Under legislation, RTÉ has been required to develop a national free to air digital network as a replacement for its analogue terrestrial network (the old TV network). This is vital to ensure the continuation of Irish broadcasting in a digital era and also to ensure that all TV viewers have an option to move to a digital network offering subscription free reception of the Irish national TV services.
Digital Switchover National Information and Awareness Campaign
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has primary responsibility for ensuring there is adequate information available to the public about the DSO process. This campaign will be required to provide comprehensive national and local information and awareness aimed at informing all TV households and other interested parties about digital switchover. The information and awareness campaign, which includes a telephone helpline service, is expected to operate until shortly after analogue switch off in quarter 4 of 2012.
National Digital Switchover Outreach Programme
In order to ensure that additional assistance is available to support those who need help in moving to a digital TV service, the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources is working with various voluntary and charity organisations to develop the scheme which is expected to be operating throughout 2012.
The role of each of the Organisations with key responsibilities in relation to digital switchover is highlighted in our Policy and Regulation section and is set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009.