Ntl Broadcast Rebrands In Preparation For Switchover
Ntl Broadcast has announced its re-branding as arqiva, establishing the firm’s independence since its sale by the ntl group and unifying its three businesses into one in preparation for a complete transition to digital broadcasting.
The new name is seen by the company as a fresh start in its 50 year history, with ntl Broadcast being consigned to the history books from 1 June.
Ntl Broadcast was sold by ntl at the beginning of the year to a consortium led by Macquarie Communications Infrastructure Group. The re-branding will be used as an opportunity to establish the company as a stand-alone operator, with services in broadcast, tower leasing and public safety communications.
The company can trace its roots back to the engineering division of the Independent Television Authority over 50 years ago, set up just before ITV began broadcasting. With the advent of independent radio, the ITA became the Independent Broadcasting Authority, which went on to launch Channel 4 and develop numerous broadcasting technologies, including the transition to colour television broadcasts and the birth of satellite broadcasting.
Amongst its other achievements, ntl broadcast was responsible for the development of digital terrestrial TV technology, and the construction of the UK’s commercial DAB radio network, built for Digital One.
Commenting on the re-brand, arqiva CEO Tom Bennie, said: “This is a strong and thriving company with a proud heritage of innovation and technical firsts in the broadcast and mobile communications industries. arqiva stands for the ‘energy’ behind the ‘connections’ we provide to our customers and represents the talented and committed individuals at the heart of our business.
arqiva recently announced the creation of the UK’s first mobile TV trials, held in conjunction with mobile operator, O2. The new technology, to be tested in the Oxford area, will demonstrate the televisual capabilities of the next generation of mobile phones, with BSkyB, Chart TV Show, Discovery Networks Europe, Shorts International and Turner Broadcasting among the first broadcasters to provide 16 television channels to customers with Nokia’s new 7710 handset (see NTL And O2 Start First Mobile TV Trials).
arqiva: 01962 823434 www.arqiva.com