Commercial DTT not until 2013

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has said it does not see a possibility for the launch of a commercial digital terrestrial television service in the Republic until after analogue switch off, reports Broadband TV News.
In a statement the BAI reiterated its disappointment that none of the three applicants to the 2008 licensing process had been able to bring matters to a satisfactory conclusion.
The Authority and its predecessors have been battered by the failure of successive commercial operations, including consortia led by Teracom (Boxer) and telco Eircom, to take up licence offers.
Public broadcaster RTE is now pressing ahead with plans for a two-multiplex system, covering 98% of the country, and expected to be on-air this autumn.
A new competition for a commercial DTT licence will likely take place during 2012 with the intention of broadcasts beginning in 2013.
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 9th August 2010