Ireland's communications minister, Noel Dempsey, has launched the second phase of the country's digital terrestrial television (DTT) trial with 500 households in Dublin and Louth. That is due to rise to 1,000 homes over the lifetime of the trial, which is due to run until August 2008.
"This latest phase in the DTT pilot will provide a unique insight into the issues involved in the provision and attractiveness of DTT services to Irish viewers," said Mr Dempsey.
"Members of the public will have an opportunity to test the first Irish DTT trial service and to provide feedback on their experiences of the services on offer. This will help us to gear up for the 2012 switch off proposed by the European Commission.
"I am committed to ensuring that Ireland keeps ahead of developments in digital broadcasting across the EU," added Mr Dempsey. "A DTT service is capable of providing much more for Irish viewers in the long-term in terms of quality, service and additional channels than an analogue service."