Cable TV and MMDS subscribers will have access to digital television with an eventual capacity of 450 channels by the end of this year. They will also have access to high-speed internet connections over their TV cable and even telephone communications after 2000.
Cable TV companies yesterday announced plans for the digital television future at the introduction of a report, A Strategy for Digital Television and Broadband Communications Services, prepared by consultants Deloitte and Touche.
The industry, it said, plans to be a significant provider of a range of advanced communications services in addition to entertainment services. These would include digital TV, Internet and telephony, as well as providing data services, video on demand, pay-per-view television, video conferencing and interactive services such as home shopping and home banking.
The chairman of the industry umbrella group, Cable Communications Association of Ireland (CCAI), Mr Kevin Windle, said that the cable/MMDS industry was committed to delivering digital TV and Internet during 1998 and to developing telephony opportunities after 2000.
Digital television looks set to replace the present analogue system within the next 10 years. It is a system of transmitting signals via satellite, cable or direct to television sets via an aerial. Its advantage is that, where one signal is possible with analogue, six or seven can be transmitted with digital. It also offers higher picture and sound quality with high definition and wide-screen transmission.
When digital television is available subscribers will have a set-top box, which currently costs about £200. This will decode the signal and allow viewers to subscribe to individual services, pay for individual programmes or sporting events or even view the latest films. According to CCAI the cost of developing cable system for digital television will be in the region of £10 million, high-speed Internet, using a combination of cable and telephone lines, will need £2 million investment and the development of telephony will need £250 million for the cable network alone.
Mr Windle said the step up to 450 channels will depend on the availability of programmes and services and "the creation by the Government of a supporting financial and political climate to attract the very significant capital investment that will be required".
Cable companies, however, are not alone in having plans for digital technology. RTE has recently submitted to Government its proposals. It is proposing so-called terrestrial digital television with the signal delivered direct to a television set via an ordinary aerial with no need for cables. RTE is proposing to bring on board a strategic partner to develop the digital transmission network. This system could offer 30 channels. RTE is awaiting a Government decision on this.
Meanwhile, the Telecommunications Regulator, Ms Etain Doyle, is awaiting a report on digital development in the State from consultants in Britain. It is believed to be near completion.
While the Government has been slow to respond to developments RTE now views a Government decision as urgent so it can move on the introduction of digital TV.