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AKA Multichannel Distribution Services, Microwave Video Distribution System.

Multipoint Microwave Distribution System is not in widespread use worldwide. In fact, it is only in Ireland (along with some parts of the US), that it is really in widespread everyday use. This is mainly due to two percurly Irish factors – we like British TV, and there is such a low housing density in rural areas that cable would be impractical. Thus the Irish government decided to adopt the MMDS system. They felt they would be European pioneers. However DTT has rendered this system obsolete elsewhere.

The system involves the transmission of pictures and sound as low-power microwaves. A roof-top mini-dish decodes the signals, and sends them to an STB. This converts the signals to UHF.

There are thirty cells (areas within the reach of an MMDS transmitter station) on the MMDS National Grid, each alternating between "A" and "B" frequencies to prevent interference with each other. "A" networks have 12 channels, "B" networks have only eleven. Most of the MMDS franchises were "per-cell" awards, with some differences for geographic reasons (eg, a village being on the border between two cells). The problems with MMDS are threefold. One, analogue capacity is very low, as explained above. MMDS operators are excused from carrying RTE and TG4 (but not TV3) channels as a result. Two, the system is very expensive – yearly fees are about £200 compared to £89 for cable. Three, there are objections to the erection of MMDS masts on health grounds.

Digital MMDS faces a though fight against DTT. It will only be able to carry 55/60 channels – barely 20 more than DTT. Chorus believes they can squeeze 120 channels out of it, once analogue is turned off, but I am sceptical. It appears that Chorus may soon be the only MMDS operator in the country - NTL is allegedly looking to sell its MMDS franchises in the Republic.

In the North/UK MMDS is known as MVDS. The ITC allows for its adoption by cable providers. None have done so, although Chorus may well try in Northern Ireland after cable exclusivity is ended.

External Link: This page on Television Transmission in Ireland has the "gorey details" on the transmission frequencies used by MMDS

MMDS COMPANIES

• NTL Communications (Ireland) Ltd holds franchises for Counties Dublin, Mayo, Waterford, and Galway.

• Chorus Communication holds franchises for the other 22 counties in the Republic.