A new small-scale digital radio multiplex is set to launch in Cork this August for a trial period of 12 months.
Under a licence from ComReg, the experiment will be operated by éirdab and have the facility to provide around 20 radio stations.
éirdab’s CEO, David Duffy, says the project offers a low-cost DAB+ solution for stations wanting to get on air: “Cork is Ireland’s second largest population centre and, thanks to our great site partner, Cork Internet eXchange (CIX), the éirdab digital radio multiplex will reach more than 250,000 people who live and work in the city and the surrounding area”.
John Evington, Head of Content, hopes that existing analogue as well as new digital stations will embrace the technology; “éirdab’s aim is to provide a digital platform that welcomes new, interesting and innovative stations with ethnic, lifestyle, and specialist music formats. We’re delighted that alternative music station 8RADIO was the first service to sign up and we are now keen to hear from other stations interested in broadcasting on DAB+ in Cork. There are full contact details on our website”.
éirdab will use the same small scale DAB+ technology from Viamux that was implemented in Dublin last year by State broadcaster RTÉ.