• Complementary skills and resources provide broader capability
• Enhanced customer service, back-up and long-term security
• Reinvestment in Arqiva core infrastructure business

Arqiva (formerly NTL Broadcast) has made an early move to expand its media solutions business by acquiring Inmedia Communications Ltd from The Carlyle Group for £68.5 million.  The combined businesses will be able to offer broader capability and enhanced customer service through complementary skills and resources, and the security of a well-funded and well-managed organisation.

Inmedia is a broadcast and media infrastructure company, primarily providing satellite uplinking and related support services.  It uses a combination of satellite and Internet Protocol (IP) infrastructure to serve the broadcast and enterprise markets.  Arqiva and Inmedia possess complementary skills and resources: Arqiva has a long track-record in UK terrestrial and satellite transmission while Inmedia has a more internationally-focused client base in satellite services embracing IP, voice and data as well as UK direct-to-home (DTH) satellite broadcasting.  Both companies have demonstrated innovation in meeting increased demand for media-rich communication.  The combination will result in a strong long-term operation providing comprehensive value-for-money services to a sector undergoing significant growth.

Tom Bennie, chief executive officer of Arqiva, said: "There is significant growth potential in this market and we are very pleased with the Inmedia acquisition.  We have funded the transaction from our own financial resources and I am particularly pleased to be reinvesting in core teleport infrastructure business in this way."

Nick Thompson, chief executive officer of Inmedia, added: "These are both infrastructure businesses with a good deal of synergy and it makes perfect sense to combine the best strengths of both, to ensure their continued success and to secure long-term benefits for customers."