| In June 2008, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) awarded Boxer DTT Limited the three national Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) multiplex contracts. In April 2009, Boxer DTT withdrew from the process and the new contract was awarded to the second placed applicant - One Vision. Under the Broadcasting Act, 2007, ireland's national broadcaster, RTÉ, is required to provide a digital television service offering access to the Irish national channels - RTÉ, TG4 and TV3 - on a free to air basis. In addition, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, an independent regulatory body, is required to identify commercial DTT service providers. RTÉ have commenced work on upgrading their analogue television network. In July 2009, RTÉ chief Cathal Goan admitted the DTT rollout expected for Autumn 2009 was no longer feasible. Due to the Boxer / One Vision delays. It is thought these delay will ultimately hinder the government’s plans to meet the EU-recommended deadline for the digital TV switch over in 2012 and the switching off of analogue.
| | 16 June 2006 | ITU’s Regional Radiocommunication Conference (RRC-06) in Geneva, heralding the development of ‘all-digital’ terrestrial broadcast services for sound and television. | | August 2006 | The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources commenced a trial of DTT in Louth and Dublin. | | October 2006 | Whitehaven in Cumbria is the first place in UK to switch to Digital | | April 2007 | The Broadcasting Amendment Act is published legalized the development of public DTT services in Ireland.
Download Act | | 1 July 2008 | Boxer DTT is awarded the three DTT multiplex contracts. | | 31 July 2008 | End of 1st Trial of DTT in Ireland | | 20 April 2009 | Boxer DTT withdraws from DTT Multiplex Contracts | | 11 May 2009 | One Vision awarded contracts | | 14 July 2009 | Cathal Goan admits 2009 goals are unreasonable | | 2012 | Switch off deadline of the analogue terrestrial TV public service network used by RTE, TV3 and TG4 in Ireland | | 17 June 2015 | Deadline for switch off analogue television in Europe. |
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11 Feb 2010