Terrestrial Digital System Launched in Ireland

SCTV Digital in Carrigaline, Ireland, is using a distribution system from MDS America Inc. (MDSA) to provide digital television and ancillary services to the south of Ireland.

The multichannel video and data distribution service (MVDDS) provides the bandwidth of a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) system without launching a satellite; the system uses the same frequencies DBS satellites use.

In late 2006, SCTV Digital — in cooperation with MDSA — started rolling out the service from five sites covering the province of Munster. SCTV Digital is licensed to transmit and broadcast from 28 locations across southern Ireland, and has an option to obtain licenses for the entire country.