Radio Spectrum

Digital switchover is the process of replacing analogue television transmissions with digital transmissions. Like the rest of Europe, North America and many other countries, television broadcasting in Ireland is switching from analogue to digital transmission as digital transmissions offer far more efficient use of spectrum than analogue transmissions.

Switching from analogue to digital provides some benefits to the viewer for example, by providing a greater number of TV programme services, better quality pictures and sound, enhanced teletext services, electronic program guides, high definition (HD) services and other interactive services. Further, the switch will free up valuable radio spectrum which could be used for other communication services such as broadband or advanced wireless communication services. ComReg is currently consulting on the joint award of some of this freed up spectrum with other spectrum in higher frequency bands. Further information is available on our GSM Band Liberalisation and 800MHz Spectrum page.

On the 14 October 2011 the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources announced Wednesday 24th October, 2012 as the official date of completion of the digital TV switchover, when the analogue TV network in Ireland will be switched off. The Department for Communications Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) is leading the process of informing the public of the switchover from analogue to digital TV. The most up to date information in relation to switchover can be found on the DCENR website and on www.goingdigital.ie  

Currently digital transmissions carrying Ireland’s first free-to-air digital TV service are available to nearly every household in Ireland. Please see www.saorview.ie for further details.