Arqiva (/ɑːrˈkiːvə/) is a British telecommunications company which provides infrastructure, broadcast transmission and smart meter facilities[1] in the United Kingdom.

[7] Below is a potted history of the various organisations that are now part of Arqiva: Responsibility for the transmitter assets of the BBC lay solely within the corporation from its foundation in 1922 until 1997.

National Grid plc had a large internal network for the communication of its engineers serving initially the electricity companies, but subsequently, the gas industry as well.

It was modelled on ITA, in that programmes were made by local contractors while the regulator, renamed the Independent Broadcasting Authority, owned and operated the transmitters.

The IBA's engineering division, which operated the transmitters as well as doing research and development, became an independent company called National Transcommunications Limited (NTL), also known as "Transcom".

At this point, technical standards regulation, previously carried out in accordance with the IBA engineering "Code of Practice", seems to have disappeared from the regulatory landscape.

Subsequently in July 2009, Macquarie sold off a substantial part of its holding and moved the remaining amount to its investment fund.

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) now has a 48% holding and Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 2 (MEIF 2) has 21%, with other Macquarie Group funds holding 13% [10] Arqiva acquired Inmedia Communications from the Carlyle Group for £68.5 million in July 2005 to form the new Satellite Media Solutions business unit.

The deal will include long-term customer contracts, operations and personnel located in the United States, France, Italy and the Netherlands, as well as the UK.

The new company employs around 775 people and operates all the TV and most of the radio transmitters in the UK (BBC national and local and many commercial stations).

[13] JFMG were contracted by communications regulator Ofcom to provide spectrum management and licensing services for programme making and special events (PSME).