It has been announced the analogue television network in Ireland is to be switched off in just over a year's time.
The new national digital television network, Saorview, replaces the analogue service when it is switched off on 24 October 2012.
If households that currently receive their television signal via an aerial do not switch to digital they will lose Irish television services when the analogue network is switched off.
Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte announced the date, which is the same as Northern Ireland.
The minister said the move to digital is a positive one that will offer viewers clearer picture and better sound quality.
He said it would also offer more channels and free up space on the broadcast spectrum for other purposes, including mobile and broadband services.
Around 250,000 households currently rely on analogue to watch TV.
An awareness campaign about the switchover is to get under way next week.
For more information about Saorview go to www.saorview.ie, Aertel page 650 or lo call 1890-222012.
