National Grid Wireless

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 5,500 sites used for mobile communications and around 574 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 agreed with the UK Competition Commission (UKCC) a series of 'hold separate' undertakings which prevented any integration of Arqiva and NGW during the UKCC review of the transaction. The UKCC released its final report on 11 March 2008 approving the merger and, following the signing of behavioural undertakings, the 'hold separate' arrangements were lifted on 1 September 2008. Full integration of the two companies commenced immediately and is currently underway.