2RN

2RN is the broadcast-transmission brand used by RTÉ Transmission Network DAC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ireland's public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). The company operates much of the infrastructure that distributes national television and radio services across the Republic of Ireland. Its work includes the operation of major transmission stations, relay sites, digital-terrestrial television infrastructure, radio-transmission facilities and associated communications sites. The business was incorporated as an RTÉ subsidiary in December 2002. Before adopting the 2RN identity, it operated as an internal RTÉ division and subsequently traded as RTÉNL. In April 2013, RTÉ repositioned the organization as an arm's-length transmission-services provider intended to serve national television and radio broadcasters rather than functioning solely as an internal broadcaster utility. That change included a new brand, an independent chairman and a headquarters in Tallaght, separate from RTÉ's principal Donnybrook campus. The name 2RN refers to an early Irish radio service and connects the modern network operator with Ireland's broadcasting heritage. 2RN's core public-service role is the transmission of Saorview, Ireland's digital-terrestrial television platform, and the national RTÉ radio services. The company operates two public-service broadcasting multiplexes for Saorview under ComReg licensing arrangements. At the digital switchover in October 2012, the terrestrial network was reported to provide approximately 98% population coverage. Saorview uses DVB-T transmission with MPEG-4 video and MPEG Layer II audio compression. Satellite service infrastructure associated with Saorsat is used to address locations that cannot be adequately reached by terrestrial signals because of terrain or other coverage limitations. The network also carries RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2FM, RTÉ lyric fm and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta through the national FM transmission system, subject to site-specific exceptions. It has carried commercial services such as Today FM and has provided access to transmission locations for independent local radio services. A former DAB trial operated in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and the north-east, but RTÉ ended its DAB transmissions on 31 March 2021. The longwave service on 252 kHz, which had carried RTÉ Radio 1 and some alternative programming, closed in 2023. In addition to broadcasting, 2RN makes transmission sites available to mobile-network operators, emergency services, wireless-broadband providers and other private communications users. Its physical estate consists of major high-power sites, numerous relay transmitters and additional sites that are no longer used for the original television or radio service but may remain relevant to telecommunications. The company is therefore both a national broadcasting infrastructure operator and a specialist site-hosting provider. Its public-facing importance lies less in consumer products than in the reliable, geographically extensive delivery of public-service and commercial media services throughout Ireland.

2RN developed from RTÉ's internal transmission operations. In December 2002, the transmission activity became an incorporated RTÉ subsidiary. It initially operated under the RTÉNL identity, reflecting its origins within the national broadcaster's network organization. Its responsibilities covered the engineering and operational systems needed to distribute radio and television signals through Ireland's principal transmitters and smaller relay facilities. The organization played a central role in Ireland's transition from analogue broadcasting to digital terrestrial television. It built and commissioned the infrastructure for Saorview and operated the network supporting the platform's national public-service multiplexes. The terrestrial system used DVB-T technology with MPEG-4 video compression and MPEG Layer II audio. By the analogue switch-off in October 2012, the digital network was reported to reach about 98% of the population. Saorsat provided a satellite-based complement for locations where terrain made terrestrial digital coverage impractical. In April 2013, RTÉ changed the organization's commercial and institutional presentation. RTÉNL was renamed and rebranded 2RN, a name derived from an early Irish radio service. The repositioning emphasized the company's role as an arm's-length transmission provider available to national television and radio broadcasters. A new board with an independent chairman was appointed, and the headquarters moved to Tallaght rather than remaining on RTÉ's Donnybrook campus. The revised structure distinguished the network operator's infrastructure role from RTÉ's programming and broadcasting activities. 2RN's operating estate comprises major high-power broadcast stations and a large number of smaller relays and transposers. Major locations include Cairn Hill, Clermont Carn, Holywell Hill, Kippure, Maghera, Mount Leinster, Mullaghanish, Spur Hill, Three Rock and Truskmore. The wider network serves both digital television and radio, with individual relay sites carrying different combinations of services according to local coverage requirements. The company has also retained or hosted sites used by mobile operators, emergency services, wireless-broadband networks and other private communications providers. The network has carried Saorview, the four principal RTÉ FM public-service stations and selected commercial and independent local radio services. It also operated a DAB trial in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and the north-east of Ireland, reaching a substantial minority of the population through four transmitters. That trial ended on 31 March 2021. The longwave transmitter on 252 kHz, historically associated with RTÉ Radio 1 and supplementary programming such as religious services and sports coverage, was closed in 2023. Today, 2RN's significance is infrastructural rather than consumer-facing. It provides the technical layer through which Irish public-service media reaches households and supports the distribution of some commercial radio services. Its site-hosting activities extend the value of the network beyond broadcasting, allowing other communications users to deploy equipment at strategically located transmission properties. The brand consequently represents national broadcast connectivity, engineering operations and shared communications infrastructure under RTÉ ownership.

• 2023

  252 kHz longwave service closes

  [1]2RN (RTÉ Networks)en.wikipedia.org

  The longwave radio transmission historically used for RTÉ Radio 1 was shut down.

• 2021

  DAB trial transmissions cease

  [1]2RN (RTÉ Networks)en.wikipedia.org

  RTÉ discontinued DAB transmissions on 31 March after operating a trial network in several Irish regions.

• 2013

  RTÉNL becomes 2RN

  [1]2RN (RTÉ Networks)en.wikipedia.org

  The transmission subsidiary adopted the 2RN brand as part of a repositioning as an arm's-length provider to broadcasters.

• 2012

  Digital terrestrial television reaches analogue switch-off

  [1]2RN (RTÉ Networks)en.wikipedia.org

  The Saorview digital infrastructure was operating at approximately 98% population coverage when analogue services were switched off in October.

• 2011

  Saorsat satellite service introduced

  [1]2RN (RTÉ Networks)en.wikipedia.org

  A satellite-based service was introduced to help serve areas that terrestrial digital television could not reach because of terrain.

• 2002

  Transmission operation incorporated as an RTÉ subsidiary

  [1]2RN (RTÉ Networks)en.wikipedia.org

  The transmission activity became an incorporated company and subsidiary of RTÉ after previously operating as an internal division.

A neutral, infrastructure-led Irish broadcast-transmission operator providing reliable national television and radio distribution while making specialist transmission sites available to other communications users.

• Digital terrestrial television transmission · 2011

  Saorview

  2RN operates the terrestrial transmission infrastructure for Saorview, Ireland's digital public-service television platform. The network uses DVB-T technology and supports the public-service multiplexes licensed for operation by RTÉ through ComReg. The system combines major high-power sites with numerous relay transmitters to provide broad national coverage.

• FM radio transmission

  National RTÉ radio transmission network

  The network distributes RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2FM, RTÉ lyric fm and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta through a combination of main transmitters and relays. Coverage and service combinations differ by location, allowing the national public-service stations to reach communities across Ireland.

• Satellite broadcast infrastructure · 2011

  Saorsat support

  Saorsat provides a satellite alternative for households and locations that cannot receive adequate terrestrial Saorview coverage because of terrain or geographic conditions. 2RN is associated with the technical operation of this complementary distribution platform.

• Communications infrastructure services

  Transmission-site hosting

  2RN makes selected transmission locations and associated infrastructure available to mobile telephone operators, emergency services, wireless-broadband providers and other private mobile communications users. This service broadens the network's role beyond radio and television distribution.

• 2023

  Closure of the 252 kHz longwave transmissionGeneration change

  Background

  The longwave transmitter had historically provided RTÉ Radio 1 coverage and some programming not always available through FM.

  Action taken

  The longwave radio service on 252 kHz was closed.

  Aftermath

  Listeners were directed toward other available distribution methods, including FM and digital services.

  Source

• 2021

  Discontinuation of DAB trialOther

  Background

  2RN's predecessor and RTÉ had operated a limited DAB trial covering parts of Ireland through four transmitters.

  Action taken

  RTÉ ceased DAB transmissions on 31 March 2021.

  Aftermath

  The trial network was no longer part of RTÉ's active radio-distribution portfolio, while FM and other digital distribution routes continued.

  Source

• 2013

  Repositioning as an arm's-length transmission providerStrategy

  Background

  RTÉ sought to distinguish its transmission infrastructure operation from its programming and broadcaster functions and to make the service available to national television and radio broadcasters.

  Action taken

  RTÉ renamed and rebranded RTÉNL as 2RN, appointed a new board including an independent chairman and located the headquarters in Tallaght.

  Aftermath

  2RN became the public-facing identity for the RTÉ-owned transmission network and its broader infrastructure and site-hosting activities.

  Source

1. 12RN (RTÉ Networks)en.wikipedia.org
2. 22RN official website2rn.ie