Rabbitte does not want 100% digital coverage

Sponge Bob

Seems that RTE can't tell him how many areas will have neither Terrestrial nor Satellite coverage, so he promises "virtually" 100% coverage.

Either you have 100% coverage Pat or you don't.

Otherwise you are in the realm of 'virtually spotless' as a metaphor for ......what is that??... dirt is it ???

http://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2011-07-12.1496.0&s=satellite+shadow#g1499.0.q

The RTÉ decision to provide a satellite service is being made by RTÉ on a commercial basis. RTÉ has indicated that this service in conjunction with the DTT network will provide coverage to virtually 100% of the population.

Ona further note the satellite service referred to is supposedly FREE TO AIR and NOT COMMERCIAL Minister. Get your facts straight willya.

The Cush

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Ona further note the satellite service referred to is supposedly FREE TO AIR and NOT COMMERCIAL Minister. Get your facts straight willya.

The reply did include a reference to ‘free to air’ satellite. I think what the reply means by commercial basis is that RTÉ decided it was the cheaper/cost effective option for them to cover the remaining 2% of the population by FTA satellite rather than roll out another 50-100 or more sites to cover the same 2%.

In relation to those areas that cannot be served by Saorview transmitters, I understand that RTÉ proposes to offer a ‘free to air’ satellite service and that this is designed to reach the last 2% of the population. The RTÉ decision to provide a satellite service is being made by RTÉ on a commercial basis.

Broadcasting Services
Tuesday, 12 July 2011

284. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a listing of RTÉ digital Saorview transmitters that are now operating at their full planned output and thereby transmitting to their fullest extent; the counties that are fully covered as is currently planned for Saorview; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19623/11]

285. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the dates the remaining RTÉ transmitters for Saorview will be transmitting at full power; if he will provide a list of all transmitters not transmitting at full power at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19624/11]

286. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for satellite shadow areas which the Saorview transmitters cannot at present reach or will not be able to reach under present plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19625/11]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte): I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 to 286, inclusive, together.

RTÉ is responsible for the rollout and operation of the Saorview TV network. Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, sets out RTÉ’s powers and responsibilities in this regard. The Act provides that RTÉ must roll out a national digital TV network to the same extent as its existing analogue network. In this regard, I understand from RTÉ that the analogue network covers 98% of the population and the Saorview network will also provide 98% population coverage from 51 transmitter sites at or shortly after switch-off of the analogue signal, which is to take place in Quarter 4 of 2012.

Information on the Saorview transmitter sites is available from RTÉ and its website –www.saorview.ie. While I have no direct function in this matter, I have forwarded the Deputy’s query to RTÉ and have asked the company to send him the detailed information that he is looking for as soon as practicable. In addition, at this point, I can state that RTÉ has indicated that all 51 sites are now operational and currently provide coverage to 97% of the population. Some of the transmitters closest to Northern Ireland are operating at lower powers to prevent interference into the UK (Northern Ireland) analogue TV network. The power levels of these transmitters will be increased to full power at or shortly after analogue switch-off on the basis of a cross-Border co-ordinated approach agreed between the Irish and UK authorities.

In relation to those areas that cannot be served by Saorview transmitters, I understand that RTÉ proposes to offer a ‘free to air’ satellite service and that this is designed to reach the last 2% of the population. The RTÉ decision to provide a satellite service is being made by RTÉ on a commercial basis. RTÉ has indicated that this service in conjunction with the DTT network will provide coverage to virtually 100% of the population. The satellite, which will be used to provide this service, launched in late 2010 and is currently undergoing tests.

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2011/07/12/00210.asp

ted1

Sponge bob, its a commercial decision for rte. Think owe Mr rabbitte an apology.

Sponge Bob

He should apologise for misleading the Dáil. He was explicitly asked about satellite shadow areas and refused to admit they will exist or where they are.

Digital dividend income should be earmearked to deal with satellite shadow. It is entirely reasonable to expect 100% Digital Coverage in Ireland from the end of 2012 ..Terrestrial and Satellite and INFILL transmitters will be needed to do so.

If RTE won't do it then he must!

Sam Russell

It would be reasonable for RTE NL to come up with a hardware design/solution for self-help installations so a group of people can set up their own 'deflector' (for want of a better name) to cover both shadow and lack of terrestial DTT. It might be better for a group of people in a valley say, to set up a sat based deflector to provide DTT to the neighbourhood. It should be subsidised, but at least a recommended set up.

Mike 1972

Is "100% coverage" from terrestrial transmitters even possible ?

At its peak the UK's analouge UHF terrestrial network achieved 99.6 % population (not geographic) coverage (For the four main channels) and this was one of the highest levels in Europe and it took over thirty years to roll out the network this extent.

watty

No, 100% Terrestrial coverage isn't financially feasible. Saorsat does make commercial sense.

You'd be having maybe over 1000 Masts instead of 50 to have 99.5% Geographic. 99.5% Population would be less, but likely more than 500 Masts.


The Government hasn't paid for any DTT roll out. RTE NL has made a commercial decision to go with Satellite. The Government though should fund the difference between Aerial and Sat install cost as they, not RTE or RTE NL seek to make money from the Terrestrial "Digital Dividend".

Adding four times as many masts to add another 1.5% might also need more TV spectrum to avoid co-channel interference.