Communications Minister Eamon Ryan has announced plans for the transfer to digital television when the current analogue terrestrial television service is switched off by the end of 2012.
RTÉ will build the replacement service at a cost of €70m, but no commercial provider will be involved in the first phase.
The digital service will reach 98% of the population, while RTÉ has plans to develop a satellite service for the 2% in more rural areas.
The Minister said that, by switching to digital television, space would be freed up on the spectrum, which would be used for broadband services.
He said he would not rule out the involvement of commercial providers at a later stage. Minister Ryan also said he wanted to look at RTÉ's future ownership of the transmission network. The licensing process for commercial digital services ended earlier this year when the Easy TV consortium turned down talks with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland after two other groups had pulled out.
Digital television will provide access to 7-9 television channels, including RTE channels, TV3 and TG4 and the national radio channels. It will provide on-screen programme information and a new digital teletext service.
