Saorsat, an Irish free-to-air satellite service aimed at complementing Saorview’s DTT service, is expected to become available in February or March this year, according to RTE Transmission Network, a unit of the country’s public broadcaster…
Saorsat, an Irish free-to-air satellite service aimed at complementing Saorview’s DTT service, is expected to become available in February or March this year, according to RTE Transmission Network, a unit of the country’s public broadcaster RTE.
RTENL explained that it is “currently in the process of testing a new free-to-air satellite solution, which would make it possible for Irish broadcasters (television and radio) to reach every home in Ireland via free-to-air satellite.
“RTENL has been transmitting test signals on this new satellite service since December 2011. RTENL expects the channel line up to be confirmed, and the Saorsat service to be formally live, in February or March 2012. Suitable consumer equipment (set-top boxes and dishes) will be available in retailers by this time.”
Services will reportedly be transmitted via Eutelsat’s Ka-band satellite Ka-Sat, which is located at 9E.
In May last year, RTE launched a national FTA digital platform, Saorview, which is expected to be available to 98% of the country’s population sometime in 2012.
“It is not possible to reach all locations by either analogue or digital terrestrial means. Too many hills, too many hollows, too many localised obstructions and homes on sea facing slopes,” explained RTENL in documents released in late January this year.
“Somewhere between 1% and 2% of the population will not receive Saorview.” Saorsat will therefore be aimed at providing services to these remaining 2%.
Satellite TV is already available in Ireland via several European DTH providers including BSkyB and Freesat.
