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NGW operates comparable broadcast and wireless site leasing activities to Arqiva across the UK. The combination of the two groups will create the pre-eminent provider of broadcast infrastructure and the leading independent wireless site sharing operator in the UK.
NGW is headquartered in Warwick, UK and comprises a national communications infrastructure network that provides broadcast transmission services for BBC Television and Radio, hosts mobile telephone equipment for major mobile network operators, and owns and operates two digital terrestrial television multiplexes – part of the ‘Freeview’ platform.
NGW has around 5,200 active sites used for mobile communications and around 750 towers used for radio and television transmission broadcasts. NGW provides services to more than 16,000 tenants.
Following the acquisition and an initial Office of Fair Trading review, MUKBHL has agreed with the UK Competition Commission (CC) a series of Hold Separate Undertakings which seek to prevent any integration of Arqiva and NGW during the CC review of the transaction. The NGW business will be run by NGW management according to the pre-merger business plan and Arqiva will not be able to influence the management of NGW until the Hold Separate period expires.
The CC released its final report on 11 March 2008 and indicated that it would approve the merger between Arqiva and NGW subject to behavioural undertakings. The finalisation of undertakings is expected to take two to three months.
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