The project will involve the deployment of Rohde & Schwarz' latest high efficiency digital TV transmitters throughout Ireland.

With 4+1 transmitter systems at 12 high power sites, this represents one of Rohde & Schwarz UK's largest projects to date. To meet RTÉNL's requirements, Rohde & Schwarz UK will act as the primary contractor, whilst partner company Spinner will supply combiners, feeders and antenna switching frames. The entire deployment is due to take place by Jan 2009, as RTÉNL's goal is to provide digital TV transmissions to around 90 per cent of Ireland's population by the end of 2010." Our digital TV trials suggested that there is strong demand for digital TV services in Ireland.

Hence, this is a fast-paced project, as our plan is to be able to offer digital TV well in advance of the analogue switch-off," said Eamonn Reid, RTÉNL's Head of Projects. He added: "Rohde & Schwarz' proposal offered the best solution from many perspectives, including technical quality and power efficiency. Their track record on previous RTÉNL projects and the quality of equipment they have already installed helped secure this contract. RTÉNL is looking forward to working with Rohde & Schwarz over the coming months on what we expect will be another successful deployment."

Commented Paul Harfoot, Broadcast Sales Manager at Rohde & Schwarz: "Our highly efficient transmitter technology and an experienced project team means that Rohde & Schwarz and our partner Spinner are ideally positioned to meet RTÉNL's requirements. As a key technology supplier to RTÉNL for its DAB network, this is also an endorsement of our capabilities in meeting broadcasters' needs by providing large-scale turn-key installations that deliver on these requirements."

He added: "The switch from analogue to digital transmission has proved an opportunity for broadcasters to drastically cut their operating costs by adopting the latest, power efficient transmitter technologies, and Rohde & Schwarz is at the forefront of the energy efficiency drive. The transmitters we are supplying will enable significant energy savings compared to the existing analogue network over the years to come."

The high power transmitters supplied to RTÉNL are from latest high efficiency, liquid-cooled R&S NV8600 family. These are used to provide coverage in very dense, urban areas and in widespread geographic areas. In rural locations, low power transmitters from the air-cooled R&S NV8300 family will be installed. Similarly, these are high efficiency systems that also boast high reliability, compact size and ease of operation.

Rohde & Schwarz

Rohde & Schwarz is an independent group of companies specializing in electronics. It is a leading supplier of solutions in the fields of test and measurement, broadcasting, radio monitoring and radio location, as well as secure communications. Established 75 years ago, Rohde & Schwarz has a global presence and a dedicated service network in over 70 countries. It has approx. 7200 employees and achieved a net revenue of ? 1.4 billion (US$ 1.9 billion) in fiscal year 2006/2007  (July 2006 to June 2007). Company headquarters are in Munich, Germany.

Spinner

Spinner is a global leader in the development and manufacturing on state-of-the-art RF components. The company has become an established supplier in the field of mobile communications, providing all passive components between the Base Transceiver Station and the antenna. Spinner's headquarters are in Munich, Germany.