News

17 August 2026, Winchester, UK – Arqiva will use IBC 2026 to demonstrate how broadcasters and media organisations can navigate an increasingly complex distribution landscape, while continuing to reach audiences effectively and unlock greater value from their content.

As viewing habits evolve and media businesses balance broadcast, IP and streaming technologies, Arqiva is helping customers deliver resilient, efficient and commercially sustainable distribution strategies that meet changing audience expectations.

At IBC 2026, visitors to Stand 1.C41 will have the opportunity to explore how innovations in areas such as addressable advertising, hybrid distribution, managed services and operational simplification are helping media organisations respond to shifting market dynamics and increasing operational complexity.  

Arqiva's experts will be available throughout the event to discuss the future of media distribution, including the growing role of hybrid delivery models, operational resilience, cloud transformation and new approaches to audience monetisation.

“Media organisations are operating in an increasingly complex environment, balancing changing audience behaviours, new technologies and evolving commercial demands. At Arqiva, we're focused on helping customers simplify that complexity, enabling them to reach audiences effectively, operate with confidence and unlock greater value from their content and services.

“IBC provides an important opportunity to discuss the future of media distribution and to demonstrate how technologies such as hybrid delivery, cloud-based services and new monetisation approaches can help organisations thrive in a rapidly changing market."

Dom Wedgwood, CTO, Arqiva

With decades of experience supporting the delivery of critical media services, Arqiva continues to work with broadcasters, content owners and media organisations to ensure audiences can access content whenever and however they choose.

IBC attendees will also be able to explore how media organisations can simplify operations, improve flexibility and prepare for a future where broadcast and IP technologies increasingly work together to deliver the reach, reliability and viewing experiences audiences expect.

Meet the team on Stand 1.C41 at IBC 2026.

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Notes to editors

To meet Arqiva spokespeople at the show, contact:

Arqiva – press.office@arqiva.com – 07773 045480

About Arqiva

Arqiva powers the seamless movement of content when it matters most. We deliver managed media services with unwavering reliability from playout to headend, simplifying complexity across cloud, on-prem, IP, fibre and satellite workflows. With decades of experience and a team of media experts, we’re built for trust, speed and whatever comes next. You focus on the story; we handle the rest.

As a global media services provider, Arqiva supports broadcasters and content owners with resilient networks and fully managed solutions designed for evolving digital and streaming environments. Our capabilities span content preparation, media processing, up linking and secure distribution, enabling partners to launch faster, operate smarter and reach audiences across platforms and territories.

Behind the scenes, Arqiva keeps content flowing smoothly, securely and at scale, connecting media with people, wherever they are. Ready to transform your media workflows? Visit our stand and let’s build what’s next together.

13 August 2026, Winchester, UK - Vale of Glamorgan MP, Kanishka Narayan, has praised the engineering expertise and resilient broadcast services provided by the Wenvoe transmitting station following a visit to the site.

Mr Narayan, who also serves as Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, visited Wenvoe in his capacity as the local MP, to meet leaders and engineers from Arqiva and learn more about the television and radio services it delivers to more than 1 million people across South Wales.

The visit came amid a growing debate about the future of the UK’s terrestrial television network, with television via an aerial (known as Freeview) potentially being switched off from 2034.

During his visit, Mr Narayan saw behind the scenes at the transmitting station and discussed the importance of maintaining reliable broadcast services for communities across the region, including villages and more remote areas where access to alternative communications services can be limited.

He also heard about the engineering and technical expertise required to keep television and radio services operating around the clock, and the wider role of the broadcast network in supporting emergency communications and other critical infrastructure.

Kanishka Narayan MP said:

“It’s my first visit to the Wenvoe transmitter site and it has been really impressive to see the expertise and engineering talent going back decades, maintaining a very resilient network while also thinking about its future.

“Radio and television are hugely important in South Wales, including the cultural productions made here and seen in millions of homes across the country. The site is central to people accessing important information and to maintaining that cultural connection, and I’m very grateful for the work of the team here.”

During the visit, Arqiva also outlined how it is exploring the use of data and artificial intelligence across its media, broadcast and smart utilities operations.

This includes using data to help water companies identify leaks and better understand household consumption, as well as exploring how AI could help preserve specialist engineering knowledge, support engineers in the field and resolve service issues more quickly.

Dom Wedgwood, Chief Technology Officer at Arqiva, which owns and operates the UK broadcast infrastructure, said:

“Nowhere is it more important to be able to get radio to small villages and communities in the valleys and on the hilltops than here in South Wales. These services are relied on 24 hours a day for entertainment and communication, and for news, weather and travel information.

“Services such as these can sometimes be taken for granted, but the visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate the commitment and expertise required to maintain their quality and reliability for the long term.

“It was valuable to discuss how Arqiva is already applying data and AI across its work, from helping water companies identify leakage and understand household consumption to supporting our engineers and resolving customer service issues more quickly.”

The Wenvoe transmitting station has served communities across South Wales since it began broadcasting in 1952. At 260.7m, it is one of the most prominent landmarks in the Vale of Glamorgan. It is owned and operated by Arqiva as part of the UK’s network of more than 1,450 television and radio transmission sites, which collectively reach 98.5% of UK households.

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07 August 2026, Winchester, UK – Arqiva, the UK’s leading communications infrastructure and media services company, has completed a major transformation of the infrastructure that supports commercial digital radio across the UK, successfully migrating all 62 DAB multiplexes and more than 1,000 radio services onto its new Central Coding & Multiplexing System (CCMS).

The milestone marks the completion of a multi-year programme to modernise one of the world's most complex DAB radio networks.

The new platform provides a more resilient and efficient foundation for digital radio, reducing operational risk while supporting future service development.

"Digital radio remains a critically important platform for broadcasters and listeners across the UK, and this programme represents one of the most significant transformations of our radio infrastructure in recent years.

“Completing the migration of all 62 multiplexes and more than 1,000 services onto our new platform strengthens the resilience and future-readiness of the UK's DAB network, while delivering substantial improvements in efficiency and sustainability.

“For our radio customers, this means a more robust, efficient and future-ready platform for the services they rely on us to deliver every day. It demonstrates how targeted investment in our technology can modernise essential communications infrastructure, reduce environmental impact and create a strong foundation for the future of digital radio services."

Dom Wedgwood, Chief Technology Officer, Arqiva

The programme has consolidated infrastructure previously distributed across 13 locations into two centralised sites. The entire CCMS estate now occupies just seven equipment racks, significantly reducing hardware, power and cooling requirements.

The transformation has also delivered substantial sustainability benefits. Annual electricity consumption has fallen from approximately 1,324 MWh to 168 MWh - an 87% reduction - while estimated carbon emissions have reduced from around 173 tonnes of CO₂e to 22 tonnes.

In addition, more than 300 studio encoders across 75 sites, 200+ decoders across 100+ network distribution sites and over 100 racks of legacy equipment are being responsibly decommissioned and recycled through certified partners.

The completion of the programme represents one of the most significant broadcast infrastructure modernisation projects undertaken by Arqiva in recent years and reinforces its commitment to supporting the long-term future of digital radio in the UK.

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This article was originally published on the National Preparedness Commission website on 25 June 2026.

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It is often said that you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone – and there are few better examples of that than terrestrial TV. After all, if the UK were to lose internet connectivity and mobile networks during a national emergency, which communications system would still reach nearly every household?

This week, the UK Government published its Media Green Paper, setting out its approach to the long-term sustainability of the UK’s information ecosystem and public service media. While it advances the debate on the future of television distribution, it gives insufficient weight to the resilience role of terrestrial infrastructure and its wider strategic importance beyond consumer viewing.

The Green Paper focuses heavily on changing audience habits, the growth of online streaming services, spectrum efficiency and the long-term future of terrestrial TV, more commonly known as Freeview or Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT).

These are important issues, but they do not reflect the full strategic picture. In particular, the resilience function of terrestrial broadcast infrastructure – and its role beyond television – remains underdeveloped.

Terrestrial TV is more than just a way of watching television. It is a resilient, one-to-many communications system with near-universal reach, operating independently of consumer broadband and mobile data networks. While policy debate has focused on ‘pull’-based consumption, its strategic value to the state lies equally in its ability to ‘push’ trusted information reliably to the entire population. The wider terrestrial network also supports national and local radio services, as well as communications used by emergency and public-sector organisations, mobile network operators, transport systems and utilities.

Yet since the former BBC Director-General first suggested an end to terrestrial TV in 2022, the debate has been framed primarily as a question of broadcasting policy.

The Green Paper sets out two potential futures: extending terrestrial TV into the mid-2040s or switching it off entirely by 2034. The central issue is not whether technology will evolve or viewing habits will change – both are inevitable. It is whether the Green Paper fully reflects the role of this nationally distributed communications capability within the UK’s resilience and national security ecosystem.

A changing risk environment

At first glance, broadcasting policy may appear far removed from national security. In reality, it concerns the future of a nationally distributed communications platform that is uniquely designed to continue operating when other systems fail.

This is not a theoretical concern. The strategic environment facing the UK has changed significantly in recent years.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reinforced the central importance of communications infrastructure during crisis while also demonstrating its vulnerability to disruption, interference and attack. Across Europe, GPS jamming and spoofing incidents have become increasingly common, affecting civilian aviation, maritime navigation and critical infrastructure systems. At the same time, cyber-attacks against governments, energy infrastructure, and major UK businesses – including M&S and Jaguar Land Rover – continue to increase in both frequency and sophistication.

Our changing risk environment highlights the need for government to communicate effectively with the public when normal conditions no longer apply. The UK’s preparedness framework rests on the premise that – in a crisis – the public must be warned quickly and kept reliably informed. This principle is embedded in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and reflected in Local Resilience Forums across the nation.

The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of this capability in practice. During the first national lockdown in March 2020, more than 27 million people watched the Prime Minister’s televised address, making it one of the most viewed broadcasts in modern British history.

Yet this changing risk environment is only partially reflected in the Green Paper’s assessment of future communications infrastructure.

Shared infrastructure and increasing risk

The widely reported power outage across the Iberian Peninsula in 2025 demonstrated the immediate impact that electricity disruption can have on telecommunications and internet services, with mobile connectivity and data networks seriously impaired. Closer to home, the Heathrow substation fire illustrated how failure in one domain can quickly cascade into others when systems share common power and digital dependencies.

Satellite positioning and timing systems present another risk. UK Government analysis has estimated that just 24 hours of disruption to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) could cost the UK economy £1.4 billion, as telecommunications networks, financial systems and energy infrastructure all depend on satellite-derived timing signals.

The issue is not simply whether individual systems are resilient, but whether too many critical functions depend on the same underlying technologies. As interconnection increases, so too does the risk of correlated failure.

This raises a fundamental question: when all else fails, which communication platforms remain capable of operating at national scale?

The resilience of existing broadcast transmission

The UK terrestrial broadcast network reaches approximately 98.5% of households through around 1,400 sites. It operates independently from consumer broadband and mobile data networks and distributes identical information simultaneously. Beyond terrestrial TV, the wider network supports DAB and FM radio services, communications used by over 300 emergency and public-sector organisations, mobile network operators, transport systems, government services and smart utilities.

While the Green Paper makes limited reference to the role of radio in resilience, it largely overlooks the wider ecosystem supported by terrestrial infrastructure – including emergency services, utilities, transport systems and other critical national functions. This omission risks understating both the scale of dependency on this infrastructure and the knock-on impact of a premature DTT switch off.

The network’s one-to-many architecture avoids congestion when audiences increase and provides near-universal reach without reliance on subscriptions, household broadband or mobile data access. Many sites also benefit from backup power arrangements, enabling the continued provision of critical information during disruption.

The network’s resilience characteristics extend beyond reach and scale. It is a core component of an integrated resilience system. Emergency Alerts provide rapid initial warning, while broadcast provides sustained communication, context and locally relevant updates over extended periods. Together, they support the full warning and informing cycle.

Importantly, these capabilities are underpinned by resilience measures including continuity planning, backup power and operational reliability. These characteristics do not make broadcast infrastructure superior to other forms of communication, but they do provide a distinct and complementary set of capabilities that enhance overall system resilience.

Broadcast infrastructure and the risk of reduced communications diversity

A transition from broadcast to fully IP-based internet delivery would increase dependence on networks that share common requirements for power, connectivity, routers, access networks and data infrastructure. This does not mean that a long-term transition is inherently wrong. It does, however, mean that the resilience implications require explicit assessment and that the UK should avoid moving prematurely to a model that introduces avoidable systemic risks.

IP streaming is broadly reliable in normal conditions, but it depends on broadband or data connectivity, functioning routers, stable electricity supply and resilient networks. Its resilience under large-scale disruption has not been publicly demonstrated.

Any technological transition affecting universal communications must include a formal resilience assessment. Decisions to end the terrestrial TV network should not be taken in the absence of a clear assessment of the implications for national resilience, emergency communications, and public warning and informing.

This is particularly important because terrestrial broadcast is not systematically reflected in national resilience planning, a gap that is also evident in the Green Paper’s treatment of the issue. It is relied upon in practice – for example through the ‘Go In, Stay In, Tune In’ response advice – but is not consistently embedded within national risk assessments, communications failure planning assumptions or wider discussions concerning critical national infrastructure.

Recommendations

The Media Green Paper highlights an important debate but does not fully address the resilience implications of the choices it sets out. This gap must now be addressed. To strengthen national preparedness, and to secure the long-term sustainability of the UK’s information ecosystem, the following actions are necessary:

1. Extend Terrestrial TV until 2044

Extending terrestrial TV to 2044 safeguards universal access to trusted information, preserves diversity within the UK’s communication ecosystem and enables the full defence, security and sovereignty value of the terrestrial network to be properly assessed.

2. Formal recognition and utilisation in national resilience doctrine

The Cabinet Office should ensure that terrestrial broadcast transmission is explicitly incorporated within communications resilience planning and National Risk Register assessments. This should include a clear assessment of how this infrastructure can be fully leveraged to support wider resilience objectives across public services.

3. Resilience impact assessment for communications changes

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, with Ofcom input, should require resilience impact assessments for any material reduction in terrestrial broadcast infrastructure capacity.

4. Alignment with Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) resilience strategy

Given the economic risks associated with GNSS disruption, government should examine whether nationally distributed and geographically strategic terrestrial infrastructure could support a backup timing capability or sovereign eLORAN.

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June 23, 2026, Winchester, UK - Arqiva, the UK’s leading communications infrastructure provider, welcomes today’s publication by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) of its Green Paper, Watch this Space: A new strategic direction for UK media.

The Green Paper marks an important step in a multi-year consultative process to determine how television services will be delivered across the UK in the years ahead. It outlines options to further extend Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) to 2044 or alternatively pursue an accelerated switch off. This signals the beginning of a period of consultation on these two options. No final decision has been made at this stage.

Arqiva has been actively engaged in this debate and has put forward a practical, fully-costed and evidence-based proposal for a managed and phased transition to 2044 that maintains the benefits of broadcast while enabling continued innovation through internet-delivered services.

Shuja Khan, Chief Executive of Arqiva, said:

“Today’s Green Paper is an important step in shaping the future of how television is delivered in the UK for a generation. It rightly allows the evidence to be evaluated through a full consultation process before any final decision is taken.  

“This is not a theoretical debate - it is a long-term national infrastructure decision with real-world consequences. If we get this wrong, the risks will be felt by millions of households and across the wider media ecosystem.

"The priority now is a clear and credible plan. One that sets out when the right conditions will be in place, including affordability, universal access, and the level of infrastructure resilience people expect – all of which matter more than ever.

“We have set out a practical approach that would extend DTT to 2044. It is fully costed, places no burden on the public purse, avoids any impact on household bills, reduces costs for broadcasters, and maintains universal access. Crucially, it allows time to manage the full complexity of this transition, including coordinating an entire industry, securing the necessary funding, and protecting the resilience that the public relies on.

“Let’s make sure we get this right - with a route forward that is deliverable in practice and works for everyone.”

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Further Information

Press Office, +44 (0)7773 045480, press.office@arqiva.com

Investors:  investors@arqiva.com 

18 June 2026, Winchester, UK - Arqiva, the leading media services and communications infrastructure operator, has confirmed the re‑certification of its Crawley Court and Chalfont Grove teleports at Tier 4 under the World Teleport Association (WTA) accreditation programme, the highest level of independent operational assessment available to satellite ground infrastructure providers.

Tier 4 accreditation is awarded only to teleports that demonstrate the strongest levels of operational resilience, security, redundancy and service assurance, following a detailed on‑site audit by independent assessors. The successful re‑certification of both sites provides continued, externally validated evidence that Arqiva’s satellite ground infrastructure is designed to deliver high availability under demanding operational conditions.

The assessment recognises robust approaches to risk management, incident response, disaster recovery planning and operational governance, alongside the skills and experience of on‑site teams.

These capabilities are essential for organisations that depend on satellite communications to support business‑critical operations, maintain continuity of service and manage risk across complex networks.

“The re‑certification of Crawley Court and Chalfont Grove at WTA Tier 4 level is independent confirmation of the strength and resilience built into our satellite ground infrastructure. It reflects the depth of expertise in our teams and our continued investment in systems, processes and facilities designed to deliver secure, highly available services when they matter most.”

Dom Wedgwood, CTO, Arqiva

“The re-certification of Arqiva’s Chalfont Grove and Crawley Court teleports at Tier 4 reflects the company’s continued commitment to operational excellence, resiliency, and service quality.

“Maintaining the highest level of certification across multiple facilities demonstrates Arqiva’s leadership in delivering secure and reliable ground infrastructure for satellite, broadcast, and critical communications services. WTA is proud to recognize organizations that continue to invest in world-class teleport operations and uphold the rigorous standards established by the Certification Program.”

Randall Barney, Executive Director, WTA

Arqiva is the only Tier 4 operator in the UK, supporting secure satellite connectivity for broadcasters, utilities, enterprises and other organisations with high availability requirements. The dual accreditation of Crawley Court and Chalfont Grove also underpins Arqiva’s ability to deliver geographically resilient services, enabling flexible network design and supporting continuity strategies where uptime is paramount.

The re‑certification reinforces Arqiva’s long‑term commitment to independent assurance, operational excellence and sustained investment in its satellite infrastructure. It provides customers and partners with clear, internationally recognised confirmation that Arqiva’s teleport operations meet the highest standards for reliability, resilience and service quality.

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09 April 2026 - London, UK - Arqiva, the leading media services and communications infrastructure operator, has announced Nation Radio as the launch partner for its new fully managed audio streaming platform, supporting one of the UK’s fastest-growing commercial radio groups as it continues to expand its reach and digital capabilities. The multi-year agreement sees Nation Radio select Arqiva as its new streaming partner, reflecting its ambition to grow audiences, strengthen listener experiences and accelerate digital monetisation. Arqiva will deliver the service via Audio Streaming – Arqiva’s single, cloud-native platform connecting broadcasters content to every listener, with full control over distribution, monetisation, insight, and support.

Under the agreement, Nation Radio will migrate all 33 of its services to Arqiva’s platform, delivering around five million listening hours of audio per month and serving up to one million targeted audio adverts per day. The move provides Nation with the scale, reliability and insight required to support continued growth across both digital and broadcast channels.

Arqiva’s platform plays a central role in enabling Nation Radio to deliver consistent, high-quality audio wherever and however listeners choose to tune in. Designed to handle peaks in demand, the low-latency audio content delivery network ensures a seamless listener experience, while real-time analytics and audience insights give Nation greater visibility into listening behaviour and performance.

The platform also enables Nation Radio to maximise the value of its content, with tools to clip live broadcast audio and immediately publish it to podcast platforms, alongside reliable distribution to all major audio destinations, including smart speakers. Enterprise-grade service levels and 24/7 monitoring provide the resilience required to support Nation’s growing audience and commercial ambitions.

The Audio Streaming platform from Arqiva allows Nation Radio to strengthen both its digital listening and advertising opportunities as customer listening habits evolve.

Richard Johnston, Head of Commercial Radio at Arqiva, said:

“This partnership is about supporting Nation Radio’s growth ambitions. By combining the reach of broadcast radio with high-quality digital streaming, we’re helping Nation build audiences, strengthen engagement and unlock new commercial opportunities across its services.”

Jason Bryant, Founder of Nation Radio said:

“As a fast-growing independent radio group, we need partners who can support our expansion across both broadcast and digital platforms. Arqiva’s end-to-end streaming service gives us the reliability, insight and flexibility to grow our digital audience, while its broadcast expertise continues to play a vital role in helping us reach listeners at scale.”

About Arqiva

Arqiva is at the heart of the broadcast and utilities sectors, providing critical data, network, and communications services.  

We work in partnership with our customers to meet everyone’s demand for information, content and entertainment and enabling a switched-on world to flow.

Our advanced, secure, and dedicated networks support the management of critical data for a range of smart metering networks in the energy and water sectors. As a UK critical national infrastructure provider, we’re trusted to deliver by the country’s biggest utility brands on their journey to a smarter, greener and more efficient tomorrow.

For more information, news and insights from Arqiva, please visit the website at: www.arqiva.com 

Learn more about Nation Radio here.  

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Over the next four years, the North West’s water company will install and upgrade over one million smart meters. The initial roll out of smart meters has taken place across towns and cities in Cumbria, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

The meters are being installed to provide the company with a greater understanding of the amount of water being used across the region. It will also help it to identify leaks on its own network and on customers’ own pipes. 

Smart meters can also help customers to understand their consumption, reduce demand and most importantly, save money on their bills.

Scott Green, Head of Metering and Field Services said:

“Reaching 200,000 installations ahead of schedule is a brilliant achievement and a real reflection of the team effort that’s gone in to deliver it. Smart metering is a key part of our plans over the next four years.  We believe it will help customers to save money on our bills whilst also creating a more resilient water network.” 

If a meter is fitted outside a customer’s home, United Utilities will be able to compare their water use against the existing rateable value bill - and if the bills is cheaper with a meter, the customer will be charged the lower amount.

As the roll out continues, customers will be contacted in advance of any work taking place. Contract partners at Arqiva and Network Plus are supporting the installation efforts.

Mike Smith, Executive Director, Smart Utilities Networks at Arqiva, said:

“Reaching such a milestone at this early stage of the rollout underlines the speed and ambition of United Utilities’ programme. Delivering smart metering at pace is critical to turning investment plans into real‑world outcomes, and a meter in the ground is just the start. 

"Our role is to help water companies execute confidently at scale, generating reliable data quickly from connected meters so they can reduce leakage, improve efficiency and deliver benefits for customers sooner.”

The proactive metering programme mainly takes place on footpaths near property boundaries with minimal disruption to customers.  A boundary box, a new stop tap, and smart water meter are installed as part of the process.   

For household and non-household customers who already have a meter, United Utilities will be upgrading these to smart meters in the future.

For more information or if customers wish to proactively apply for a meter, they can do so at www.unitedutilities.com

United Utilities continues to make great progress on the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in the North West for a century. The company is spending more than £13bn to protect and enhance over 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters, while safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers.

We’re excited to announce that we’ve been named a Finalist at the British Data Awards 2026.

The British Data Awards is an annual quest that sets out to discover and celebrate the UK’s data success stories. This year organisations taking part include fresh-faced start-ups, not-for-profits, technology unicorns, government departments, FTSE 100 heavyweights, and everything in between.

With a record 462 entries submitted for the sixth edition of the British Data Awards, competition to be named a Finalist was pretty tough, so we’re especially delighted to be announced as a Finalist.

Dom Wedgwood, Arqiva CTO, said:

“Being shortlisted for the British Data Awards in the ‘Education Initiative of the Year’ category is a strong endorsement of the progress we’ve made in building data capability across Arqiva. Through initiatives such as our Data Summer School, ‘Diving Deeper into Data’ programme and our network of Data Enablement Ambassadors, we’re helping colleagues build the confidence and skills needed to use data effectively in their day to day roles.”

“This recognition reflects the curiosity and commitment of colleagues across the business, as well as the dedication of the teams supporting them. We’re building a strong, sustainable data culture that strengthens decision making, deepens customer insight and supports our ambition to continue advancing data and AI literacy across the organisation.”

Jason Johnson, Managing Director of Predatech and British Data Awards judge said:

“I’d like to extend my congratulations to all the Finalists. The sheer ingenuity, ambition and impact demonstrated by the nominations has impressed the judging panel once again. I’m looking forward to showcasing the Finalists and their data success stories at the best night in data in May.”

This year the British Data Awards features a range of categories, including the ever competitive ‘Data for Good Initiative of the Year’ and ‘Innovation of the Year.’ Alongside categories designed to celebrate the achievements of organisations, the British Data Awards also showcase the role of individuals and teams, through categories like ‘Data Team of the Year’, ‘Data Leader of the Year’ and ‘Rising Star of the Year.’

Finalists will be celebrated, and Winners announced, at an awards ceremony due to take place on the 20th of May at The Brewery, London.

Winchester, UK, 27 November 2025 - Arqiva has been awarded a five-star rating by GRESB, the highest recognition for sustainability performance in the global data infrastructure sector. 

This achievement places Arqiva among the top 20% of participants worldwide and underscores our commitment to leading on environmental, social, and governance standards.

The five-star rating reflects the tangible progress we’re making in performance across a number of areas including policies, diversity & inclusion, health & safety and Net Zero leadership.

This rating also comes soon after our science-based targets were validated by the SBTi, reinforcing that our decarbonisation journey is consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. 

Alastair Cochran, Chief Financial Officer at Arqiva, said:

“This five-star rating is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams across the business.

“Recognition such as this demonstrates that sustainability is embedded in everything we do. We are proud to be contributing to positive change from focusing on our people, managing our infrastructure responsibly for our customers, the environment and the communities in which we operate, and to innovating to deliver a sustainable future.”

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09 October 2025, London, UK – Arqiva, the leading media services and communications infrastructure operator, has renewed its multi-year collaboration with Viasat Energy Services, continuing the delivery of managed connectivity services, satellite bandwidth, and secure infrastructure for energy operations across Europe and Africa.

This renewal reflects a trusted relationship spanning more than 20 years, supported by Viasat Energy Service’s resilience, performance, and expansion into multi-orbit satellite connectivity. Viasat’s satellite network and secure infrastructure are vital in ensuring customers’ core and remote energy sites can stay connected - a key requirement for modern energy infrastructure.

Viasat Energy Services’ enterprise-grade connectivity will continue to be delivered via Arqiva’s World Teleport Association accredited Tier 4 UK-based secure facilities, backed by a 24/7 Network Operations Centre and dedicated engineering support. 

The solution is fully aligned with Viasat Energy’s multi-orbit strategy, offering seamless integration, flexible bandwidth, and high availability to meet the sector’s evolving needs.

Gaurav Jandwani, Executive Director, Media & Broadcast, Arqiva, said:

“Robust, secure and resilient connectivity is a non-negotiable within the energy sector. You don’t know what you don’t know, so having the reassurance of tried and trusted providers relaying your critical data means that you will remain in the know, at all times. We’re delighted to be continuing this important work alongside Viasat Energy.” 

Lee Ahlstrom, President, Viasat Energy Services, said:

“Our global managed services network infrastructure can deliver more coverage, capacity, and connectivity to our customers – accelerating digital transformation through new technologies, solutions, and enhanced ability to scale in the most challenging of places around the world.

“We’re excited to continue to work with Arqiva to continue bringing those benefits to the industry.”

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• Kordia has partnered with Arqiva to introduce innovative new cloud-based media and content delivery solutions to New Zealand.
• These solutions are designed to simplify workflows, reduce infrastructure duplication, and lower costs of growing cloud-based operations and OTT distribution by introducing flexible solutions for media companies.
• The first market-ready offerings include Arqplex (Headend-as-a-Service); Arqade, a cloud content transportation and management solution; Playout, and Streaming Optimisation.

Auckland, 8 October 2025 - Kordia, New Zealand’s state-owned enterprise with specialist expertise in broadcast infrastructure and digital technology services, has entered a five-year partnership with global media services provider Arqiva to deliver a suite of cloud-based solutions for media and content businesses. 

This first-of-its-kind partnership in New Zealand gives local media companies access to Arqiva’s best-in-class cloud solutions, delivering increased efficiency, scalability, and quality of service.

Neil Livingston, Chief Executive Officer at Kordia, says the partnership is central to Kordia’s strategy of leveraging global innovation to address challenges facing the local media industry.

“Legacy broadcasters are facing many challenges, balancing cost pressures with shifting consumer habits and rapid technology changes. The need to maintain legacy broadcast infrastructure, while investing in digital platforms, has created major financial strain for players both in New Zealand and globally.

“At Kordia, we’re committed to helping New Zealand media companies solve these challenges and unlock better cost efficiencies when it comes to cloud-based distribution. We’ve been looking at how global players are innovating around these challenges, and we see real opportunities to bring these solutions to New Zealand to help our own industry.”

To launch the partnership, Kordia is bringing four of Arqiva’s solutions to the New Zealand market, effective immediately:

• Arqplex – Unified Headend-as-a-Service for broadcast and OTT: Arqplex is a future focused way to approach Headend-as-a-Service (HaaS). The service is designed for broadcasters, pay TV operators and content owners needing to deliver across broadcast and IP platforms without complexity. When content must move flawlessly between broadcast and OTT, Arqplex is the simplest way to unify, manage, and deliver headend services in any environment, be it on-prem, in the cloud, or as a hybrid solution, with speed, resilience, and flexibility built in.

• Arqade – Cloud Content Transportation & Management: A global cloud ecosystem for content, offering a lower cost and less complex alternative to conventional physical interchanges. With a world of content at your fingertips, Arqade helps New Zealand media companies access thousands of hours of high quality content. It also helps content producers to connect with global players to  easily syndicate their live, linear and streaming content across the world, while retaining complete control over access.

• Playout - for linear and on-demand content: Modular, scalable and cloud-enabled, Playout is designed to give broadcasters unmatched flexibility, with a “pay only for what you use” offer and broadcast-grade reliability from the very start of the service setup. Playout offers a solution that delivers infrastructure efficiencies; the flexibility to adapt quickly; unifies the media supply chain; and simplifies workflows.  

• Streaming Optimisation – Delivering a high quality of experience at a lower cost: This next-generation solution improves the audience experience and lowers content delivery costs by using AI in combination with a centrally orchestrated peer-to-peer network. This is particularly valuable for media organisations seeking to reduce reliance on traditional content delivery networks (CDNs) during periods of peak demand, effectively reducing internet bottlenecks for content like high demand live streamed sporting events. Case studies have shown a reduction in audience churn usually triggered by a poor viewing experience, in addition to costs savings of up to 70% by utilising this solution. 

Alaina Hall, Director of Global Media at Arqiva, says Arqiva is enabling broadcasters worldwide to transition into the cloud and Kordia is the natural partner to expand their cloud offering into the New Zealand market.

“Kordia has more than 60 years of experience as a trusted provider of broadcast infrastructure and technology services. It is deeply invested in delivering innovative solutions for media clients.

“By combining Kordia’s local expertise with Arqiva’s international leadership in cloud-based broadcasting, this partnership will deliver better cost efficiencies, service quality, security and value to New Zealand broadcasters and content providers looking to get the most out of their digital content distribution.”

Ends

About Kordia 

Kordia is a leading provider of innovative technology solutions. For more than 65 years, we’ve been keeping New Zealanders and their businesses stay safe, connected, and prepared for the future. We work across New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific, delivering mission-critical technology in cloud, cyber security, broadcasting, maritime communications, critical communications infrastructure and more. Backed by a team of 480+ experts, we’re trusted by some of New Zealand’s biggest organisations to keep them and their customers protected. We’re proudly Kiwi-owned and here to help NZ Inc create, innovate, and grow. Learn more at www.kordia.co.nz 

13 August 2025, Winchester, UK – Arqiva, the leading provider of critical broadcast and utilities communications solutions, is pleased to announce that its near-term and long-term net zero targets have been officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), confirming the company’s commitment to science-aligned climate action.

This validation recognises Arqiva’s ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its operations and value chain by setting near and long term science based net zero targets aligned to the goals of the Paris Agreement which aims to limit global warming to 1.5oC above pre-industrial levels.

Our SBTi-approved targets

‍Overall Net-Zero Commitment
Arqiva commits to reaching net-zero GHG emissions across the value chain by 2040.

Our Near- Term target commits us to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 90% by 2031 from a FY 2023 base year and to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 42% within the same timeframe.

Our Long-Term target commits us to maintain a minimum of 90% absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reductions from FY 2031 through 2040 from a FY 2023 base year and to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emission by 90 % within the same timeframe.

In both cases the target boundary includes land related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.

“This is a significant piece of work for Arqiva and a real milestone in our sustainability journey,” said Mark Steele, Chief of Operations at Arqiva. “Having our targets validated by the SBTi gives us the confidence that we’re on the right path - and it sends a clear message to our stakeholders that we’re serious about delivering on our climate commitments.”

Looking Ahead

Arqiva’s validation by the SBTi underscores the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. As the organisation continues to evolve its environmental strategy, it remains focused on delivering meaningful impact through measurable action.

ENDS

London, UK, 05 August, 2025 – Arqiva Financing plc today announces the appointment of Alastair Cochran as the new Arqiva Group Chief Financial Officer. Alastair succeeds Sean West who left the business earlier this year, and takes up the position on 01 September, 2025.

Alastair brings a wealth of experience to Arqiva, with a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years. Following a number of senior financial roles in BG Group, Morgan Stanley and Petrofac, most recently Alastair was Chief Financial Officer at Thames Water.   

Shuja Khan, CEO Arqiva, commented:‍

“We are delighted to welcome Al to Arqiva as our new CFO after a thorough and rigorous selection process. He brings an exceptional breadth of experience and an extensive track record in leadership roles both of which will be invaluable as we continue to execute our strategy and drive growth. I very much look forward to working with him.

“I would also like to extend my thanks to Nathan Hodge for assuming the role of Interim CFO having led the recent Junior Bond financing amongst other duties during these last few months.”

Patrick Tillieux, Arqiva Chair, commented:‍

“The Board is confident that Al’s appointment will add considerable value to our Executive Committee and provide strong financial stewardship as we navigate the evolving economic landscape and pursue our long-term objectives.”

‍

Alastair Cochran, incoming CFO, added:

‍“I am excited to be joining Arqiva at such an important time as we look to build on its strong foundations into the future. Arqiva has been long admired across the industry, and I look forward to working with my new colleagues, the Board, shareholders and all our other stakeholders to contribute to its continued success.”

Ends

Arqiva, the UK’s largest provider of smart water metering networks, has successfully connected more than 2.5 million smart meters across its growing network. The milestone highlights the continued expansion of Arqiva's smart network footprint, supporting some of the UK's largest water companies in modernising their operations, digitising the industry, and delivering long-term value to customers.

Arqiva’s network plays a vital role in helping water companies achieve current targets on enhanced meter connectivity and data-driven performance. In turn, and along with the other sensor deployments Arqiva is developing, these will deliver the insights that enable them to achieve other critical targets. 

Robust and reliable data is the starting point for water companies to educate their customers about the reality of water scarcity and encourage changes to water consumption habits. Smart water metering gives consumers better visibility of their water usage, enabling them to detect leaks early and take action, reduce waste, and potentially lower their bills.

The 2.5m meters have been deployed across Arqiva’s increasing number of water company customers, including some of the largest operators by geographic region and population. By deploying tailored connectivity solutions, Arqiva has helped its customers overcome complex meter location challenges across diverse geographical environments. Installation and connection rates remain high across multiple regions, and Arqiva is committed to supporting ongoing investment in smart metering and the wider digitisation of water and wastewater networks. 

Most recently, Arqiva has demonstrated its flexible approach with 36,000 LoRaWAN meters deployed for one customer, and successful trial NBIoT installations for another. 

Mike Smith, Executive Director of Smart Utilities Networks at Arqiva, said: 

“Reaching the milestone of 2.5 million smart water meters connected to our network reflects the commitment of our customers, partners, and teams across Arqiva. Having honed our expertise with dedicated private networks, I’m thrilled that we have now shown that we can achieve similar successes with a blend of other technologies. 

“However, what matters most, is not the type of technology, nor the number of meters installed, but the quality of the data they deliver. Reliable, high-frequency data empowers water companies to make informed decisions, whether that’s identifying leaks to improve service and reduce water wastage, or meeting regulatory expectations. As the UK grapples with the reality of the current water scarcity issue, data will play a critical role in enabling water companies to better engage with customers to deliver a water secure future.

“The recent review conducted by Sir Jon Cunliffe has shown that the industry must go further than simply delivering water, and that we must consciously create a positive impact on the environment while doing so. Everyone at Arqiva is committed to this goal and believes wholeheartedly in technology’s ability to transform the water industry for better. That’s why it’s encouraging to see that the industry is increasingly focused on connectivity and data performance as the true indicators of success. That’s where we’ve always placed our emphasis, and it’s what continues to drive our innovation and investment.”

ENDS

Arqiva is proud to announce its membership of the Sensors for Water Interest Group (SWIG), the UK’s leading forum for innovation in water sensor technology and data-driven water management.

As a trusted provider of smart metering and communications services across the UK utilities sector, Arqiva brings deep expertise in secure connectivity and actionable data insights. Joining SWIG marks a natural step in our commitment to supporting the water industry’s transition to smarter, more sustainable operations.

"SWIG provides a vital platform for collaboration across the water sector. We’re excited to contribute to the conversation and share our experience in delivering resilient, scalable sensor networks that help utilities meet the challenges of AMP8 and beyond."

Joby Scarff, Product Manager for Managed Sensors at Arqiva

Through this partnership, Arqiva will engage with fellow members to explore the latest developments in sensor innovation, environmental monitoring and data analytics—helping to drive progress towards a greener, more efficient water future.

‍

Arqiva, the UK’s leading broadcast and communications infrastructure provider, recently welcomed Jade Botterill, Member of Parliament for Ossett and Denby Dale, to the iconic Emley Moor transmitting station.

Emley Moor is not only a major part of Yorkshire’s local heritage, towering over the landscape since 1969, but the facility also plays a vital role in supporting TV, radio and smart utilities services for organisations and millions of people across the UK.

During her visit, Ms Botterill received an in-depth look at the technology behind the tower’s operations. The visit offered insight into how Arqiva maintains and manages its network of approximately 1,500  masts and towers, which together deliver the vast majority  of the UK’s broadcast television and radio  services.

The tour also highlighted the strategic importance of Emley Moor and the wider transmission infrastructure as part of the UK’s national resilience. The network ensures that vital information continues to be shared with the public during times of emergency and remains a cornerstone of national communication.

This has been the best visit since I became an MP. Whenever I am on the M62 or M1 as soon as I see Emley Moor I know I’m home.

I have been inside it today which was incredible – it serves 4.5 million people and it was such a privilege to visit today. I serve a very rural constituency, you can’t even get from one side to the other on public transport and there’s a lot of people who rely on this mast to watch their TV and we need to make sure we’re preserving that for people for as long as we possibly can. 

Jade Botterill MP

We were delighted to welcome Jade Botterill MP and give her an introduction to what we do here at Emley Moor. 

It’s one of the most well-known landmarks in the region and its significance cannot be underestimated. Without it, around 4.5 million viewers and listeners would struggle to access important information and entertainment through their TVs and radios. 

The visit was a great opportunity to show Ms Botterill the scale and complexities of our operations which support our customers in the broadcast and utilities industries. I think she took a great deal away from her visit.

Mark Steele, Chief of Operations at Arqiva

31 March 2025, London, UK – Arqiva, the leading media services and communications infrastructure operator, has secured a deal with Hearst Networks to migrate the global broadcaster’s services to its fully cloud-based VOD processing platform, as part of a landmark extension to the two companies’ existing VOD partnership.

The new contract will see Arqiva continue to deliver VOD assets across 40+ Pay TV and OTT platforms across EMEA from mid-2025 for Hearst Networks. 

The new platform has been developed by Arqiva’s skilled engineers, following years of working alongside Hearst Networks and other global broadcasters on VOD services. 

Arqiva's experience of delivering assets tailored for the diverse technical requirements of over 40 Pay TV and OTT platform operators, including Amazon Prime Channels and Apple TV, has actively facilitated deployment.

The highly skilled in-house team of software engineers at Arqiva created the new platform, which provides:

• Multi-tenanted capabilities orchestrated by in-house software development teams

• Highly scalable packaging and processing platform

• Live view visibility of processes and delivery, providing transparency of the processing and packaging solution in real time

• Tight integration with Qlik SaaS for reporting and billing management, enabling automated reporting and dashboards, also updated in real time

• Adaptor based approach to Input and Output, to enable processing efficiency

• Cross functional capabilities with integration to future services built in

• Security and resilience built in from the ground up

Our partnership with Arqiva has extended over many years, and in that time, the demands and scale of our VOD distribution activity have grown year-on-year, becoming a key strategic focus for our business. Arqiva has evolved and innovated to offer Hearst Networks an integrated cloud platform that combines the agility of software with a trusted managed service for the heart of our business - our content, our partners and our audience.

Matt Westrup, CTO Hearst Networks EMEA

We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Hearst Networks for the delivery of VOD across EMEA and are delighted to have extended our relationship. 

Working closely and collaboratively with partners helps us to innovate and create new propositions that meet the evolving needs of the broadcast industry. This extension is an important milestone for Arqiva as a proof point for our expanding software development capabilities, building upon our long-standing heritage in broadcast engineering and managed services.

Gaurav Jandwani, Executive Director Media & Broadcast, Arqiva

Ends

About Hearst Networks EMEA

Hearst Networks EMEA, a subsidiary of Hearst, owns and operates premium factual entertainment brands The HISTORY® Channel, Crime+Investigation®, BLAZE®, and COSMO across the UK, Nordics, Benelux, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Germany, Italy, and Spain. 

At Hearst Networks EMEA, we share stories that matter and inspire and entertain viewers with hit franchises (The Curse of Oak Island, The First 48 and History’s Greatest Mysteries), and original commissions (The Hunt for Baltic Gold, Nameless Monsters, and The Royal Kill List). For more information, please visit: hearstnetworks.com.

January 20, 2025 – Winchester, UK – Arqiva, a leading provider of smart utility networks, is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a significant contract with United Utilities to roll out smart meter infrastructure across the North West of the UK. 

The project will begin with the deployment of 1 million meters as part of a phased rollout over the water industry’s next five-year Asset Management Period, known as AMP8.

Under the terms of the agreement, Arqiva will be accountable for network deployment and operations plus meter install and commissioning over the next five years, with an option to extend for a further five years.

To achieve this, Arqiva will collaborate with experienced industry partners including Sensus, Diehl, and Network Plus.  

We’re delighted to have been awarded this contract with United Utilities, which further enhances our footprint as a managed services provider to the utilities industry, 

Our decade of experience includes delivering over 2 million meters on the largest rollouts in multiple regions. This gives us a unique perspective on what it takes to deliver these programmes at scale and at a pace that gives our customers, and their customers, the outcomes they need.

The severity of water scarcity in the UK is something people are increasingly aware of and concerned about, and it can only be addressed with better understanding of water use – which comes from data delivered by successful metering programmes.

Mike Smith, Executive Director of Smart Utilities Networks, at Arqiva.

We’re really pleased to welcome Arqiva as our strategic smart metering partner. Their proven expertise as a UK critical national infrastructure provider means they’re ideally situated to partner us on our ambitious smart metering proposals.  

The data we receive from the meters will help drive down leakage both on our network and at customers’ properties as well as helping customers to save money by using less water.

Mike Gauterin, Customer Services and Technology Director at United Utilities

Ends

16 January, 2025 – Winchester, UK – Arqiva, a leading provider of Smart Utility Networks, has been selected by Affinity Water to roll out its Smart metering infrastructure to cover 400,000 properties across the Home Counties plus parts of Essex, Kent and Surrey.

The 15-year contract, with rollout over the next five years, will bring all the benefits of Smart metering to Affinity Water customers, including regular accurate readings which help identify trends in usage, reduce consumption and help to identify leaks.

The Arqiva network will utilise Diehl meters operating on LoRaWAN technology, delivered in partnership with Netmore Group. 

This project is a testament to our ability to create targeted solutions for Utility organisations in collaboration with trusted partners. 

Fundamentally, Smart metering is about enabling reliable, actionable data. Our track record in delivering the most comprehensive metering rollouts in the UK highlights our ability to focus on success for the customer and ultimately providing a comprehensive platform for further advances. This contract is not just a win for us, but a stepping stone to even greater opportunities for Affinity Water and its customers.

Mike Smith, Executive Director, Smart Utilities Networks, Arqiva.

This partnership with Arqiva marks a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering smarter, more efficient water services for our customers. By rolling out Smart metering across our supply area, we’ll empower customers with the tools and data to better understand and manage their water usage, while also helping us to detect and address leaks faster. It’s a win-win for both our customers and the environment.

Geordie Wilson, Head of Smart Metering at Affinity Water.

 This initiative is an essential part of Affinity Water’s ongoing efforts to reduce water loss, enhance infrastructure efficiency, and ensure a reliable, sustainable water supply for future generations. By embracing Smart metering technology, Affinity Water are not only improving the way they monitor and manage water usage but also taking a proactive approach to address the increasing challenges of water stress in their region. The data provided by Smart meters will help them identify leaks faster, reduce unnecessary water loss, and support customers in making informed decisions about their water consumption. Ultimately, this initiative plays a key role in Affinity Water’s commitment to long-term sustainability and environmental stewardship, benefiting both their customers and the wider community.

Ends

06 December, 2024 - Winchester, UK. We are thrilled to announce that Arqiva has been named a winner at the HR Excellence Awards for our exceptional Health & Wellbeing Strategy. This recognition highlights our unwavering commitment to supporting our people and fostering a culture where everyone can thrive, both personally and professionally.  

At Arqiva, we believe that health and wellbeing form the cornerstone of an outstanding colleague experience. Guided by our five pillars of wellbeing - physical, professional, social, financial, and mental - we strive to create a supportive environment that empowers our people to bring their best selves to work while maintaining a fulfilling life outside of it.  

Our award-winning strategy is built on innovative programmes and initiatives designed to address every aspect of wellbeing: 

- Physical Wellbeing: We’ve implemented on-site health checks, gyms, physio sessions, at-home testing, and a wealth of educational resources. We also encouraged 52 colleagues to participate in a walking and running challenge, raising over £20,000 for charity while enhancing physical, mental, and social wellbeing.  

- Professional Wellbeing: To support career growth, we’ve shared colleague success stories, provided career conversation guides, upskilled line managers, and covered professional memberships for 172 employees. Recognition through rewards and bonuses further demonstrates our commitment to professional development.  

- Social Wellbeing: We’ve strengthened connections through on-site events, a paid volunteering day, and robust employee networks that include those providing support for working families, veterans, neurodivergent colleagues, and people navigating grief.  

- Financial Wellbeing: In response to increasing financial concerns, we introduced new benefits and educational resources focused on financial health and mentoring, ensuring our people feel supported in managing their finances.  

- Mental Wellbeing: From engagement surveys and regular team meetings to a network of trained managers and Mental Health First Aiders, our comprehensive approach has leadership’s full support, with our CEO personally championing mental health.  

These efforts have delivered measurable results. In 2023, 71% of our employees met recommended physical activity levels, up from 65% in 2022. Work-life balance satisfaction increased to 80%, exceeding benchmarks by 15%. Moreover, the proportion of employees who feel senior leadership values wellbeing rose dramatically from 58% to 78%.  

Wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at Arqiva, and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team. This nomination and award are a testament to the collective effort of our colleagues who have embraced and shaped these initiatives. Together, we’ve created a culture where everyone feels supported and empowered to be their best, both at work and in life. It’s an honour to see our commitment recognised in this way.  

Ella West, Arqiva Wellbeing Lead

This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible dedication of our colleagues. We also want to extend our congratulations to the other winners and shortlisted organisations.  

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Winning this award reinforces our commitment to ensuring every colleague feels supported, valued, and empowered. 

Discover more about our wellbeing journey in the November/December issue of HR Magazine.

13 November, 2024 – Winchester, UK. Arqiva, the leading global communications infrastructure and media services company, announces the appointment of Mark Steele as Chief of Operations. 

Mark joined Arqiva in 2015 in a project capacity before being appointed Director of Service Operations later the same year. In 2021 Mark moved to become Director of Field Operations where he was responsible for the hundreds of engineers operating 24/7 in the field to manage UK TV and radio broadcasting and smart utilities networks. 

Mark was appointed to the Chief of Operations role in an interim capacity in Spring 2024 and his permanent appointment comes after a competitive recruitment process.

His career of over 25 years includes numerous senior leadership roles, both on- and off-shore, across all service management disciplines at businesses such as Virgin Media, Telewest Broadband and Yorkshire Electricity. 

Both during Mark’s nine years with Arqiva and previously, he has managed the whole gambit of operational functions. So, it gives me great to pleasure to confirm his appointment as our new Chief of Operations. Not only does he bring a phenomenal depth of knowledge of our business, he also brings a drive for innovation. Mark and his team have a huge role to play in delivering an exciting future for Arqiva and I look forward to working him to bring this to a reality for us and our customers.

Shuja Khan, CEO, Arqiva 

Our business and the industries we operate in are undergoing huge changes so it’s imperative that our operations teams are geared up to provide the services needed to deliver those changes. I’m excited by the challenge ahead and know the team are too. 

Mark Steele, Chief of Operations, Arqiva

Ends

October 15, 2024: Sorcha Eastwood, MP for Lagan Valley, has visited the historic Lisnagarvey Transmitting Station in Lisburn, a site of both national and personal significance. 

The visit was hosted by Arqiva, the owner and operator of the network of 1450 transmitting stations which broadcast TV and radio services around the UK. The visit showcased the essential role that broadcast services play in delivering TV and radio across Northern Ireland, alongside the role it plays in national resilience.

The visit held personal significance for Sorcha Eastwood; the Lisnagarvey mast, built by the BBC in 1935 and officially opened in 1936, has long been a landmark for her, as it overlooks her family’s farm in Blaris. 

Sorcha met key representatives from Arqiva who discussed a range of issues, including Arqiva’s support for Broadcast 2040+. This campaign calls for the Government to commit to ensuring broadcast TV and radio remain accessible to all until at least 2040, for the millions of people across the UK who rely on these critical services, especially those in vulnerable communities, many of whom can’t afford expensive subscriptions or access to superfast broadband.

The Arqiva team further explained how the company’s technology and infrastructure is being utilised to support the digitisation of the utilities industry through advances such as smart metering and monitoring technology. Within the water industry, the innovation provides homes, businesses and water companies with the detailed data they need to make better use of this valuable resource. 

As demand for water increases, NI Water predicts that by 2045 there could be a shortfall in water supplies for customers of 27 million litres of water per day[1] , so action to help modify behaviour, cut down on waste and identify leaks is vitally important.

 I'm very proud to have Lisnagarvey Transmitter in my constituency of Lagan Valley. 

The transmitter has always been a part of my life, standing as a symbol of our local heritage. I was fascinated to learn more about its history and the important role it plays in our national infrastructure today.

It was fascinating to learn about this critical national infrastructure and how it relates to people's lives, delivering the broadcast services that people really care about. And it's brilliant to have been able to visit and actually see how it all happens.

Sorcha Eastwood, MP for Lagan Valley

We were delighted to welcome Sorcha to site, to showcase our work but also to hear about her own, personal connection to Arqiva Lisnagarvey.

We are proud that our technology continues to play a crucial role in the lives of millions of people across the country, as well as its capacity to deliver a significant contribution to addressing water scarcity.

Tara Pollock, communications director at Arqiva 

ENDS

[1] NI Water Draft Water Resource and Supply Resilience Plan - https://www.flipsnack.com/8ECD65DD75E/niw-draft-water-resource-supply-resilience-plan/full-view.html

03 October, 2024 - Winchester, UK - A month after we announced that our smart water meter networks across the country had reached the milestone of 2 million meters, we’ve received the news that Anglian Water Services have selected Arqiva to complete their rollout as part of their next Asset Management Period (AMP8).

The contract, awarded alongside Kier and Clancy who will provide installation services, extends Anglian and Arqiva’s relationship into a second decade. The new agreements provide partnership arrangements for a further five years to complete Anglian Water’s smart meter roll out by 2030.

On the award of the contract, Mike Smith, Executive Director of Smart Utilities Networks at Arqiva said:

“The role of truly smart water meters – ones that consistently provide accurate data to water companies – in addressing water scarcity in this country is unquestionable. Through our work with Anglian, and others, we’ve shown the power of that data in influencing consumer behaviour and helping to identify leaks across the network.

“Anglian have seen first-hand over the past few years that our solution delivers the unmatched levels of meter read regularity and accuracy that drive those outcomes. 

“Alongside our partners, including Sensus and water companies’ installation partners, we’ve delivered by far the UK’s largest smart water meter rollouts and completing Anglian’s network over the next five years will open up further opportunities for them to measure and understand their most valuable resource.”

Pete Holland, Director of Customer & Wholesale Services, Anglian Water Services commented:

“We’re proud to have an industry leading smart meter programme and hit the massive achievement of fitting our millionth smart meter. Our programme put people in touch with how much water they’re using down to daily or even hourly level, which helps them take control of their household bills and find leaks that are costing them money. It’s just one of the ways we’re looking after the environment while protecting water for future generations.” 

Read more on the Anglian Water website

12 September 2024, London, UK: Leading media services and communications infrastructure operator, Arqiva, and pioneering design architect for live cloud and broadcast solutions, Techex have today revealed a partnership to offer seamless distribution of live event content, from any source to anywhere globally. 

The agreement between the firms, combining Arqiva’s managed services and live IP software solutions from Techex, aims to remove the complexities associated with distributing live content across multiple destinations and multiple distribution workflows. 

Designed with both flexibility and scalability in mind, the collaboration will deliver enhancements on Arqiva’s existing Arqade offering, removing the need for large capex investment while providing access to the assurance of Arqiva’s 24/7 network oversight.

Content owners, broadcasters and rights holders of all sizes are at different points on their journey into distributing content over IP and the internet. The complexity involved in delivering the security, network and transport methods required is immense.

We’re delighted to join forces with Techex to alleviate these challenges and provide efficient distribution for every purpose, from low latency, high-value content distribution on global platforms to niche streams straight to the internet.

Dom Wedgwood, Chief Technology Officer at Arqiva

As longstanding partners with Arqiva, we are excited to be bringing our vast experience and IP/Cloud native products in enabling this new service. Our expertise in providing IP transport and media processing technologies, combined with Arqiva’s managed services expertise offers a compelling solution to broadcasters of all types looking for a flexible, reliable and future proof solution.

Scott Kewley, CEO at Techex

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Arqiva [8.MS6] and Techex [3.B44] will be at IBC in Amsterdam, 13-16 September 2024.

About Arqiva: 

Arqiva is at the heart of the broadcast and utilities sectors in the UK and internationally, providing critical data, network and communications services.

We work in partnership with our customers – major broadcasters and utilities like the BBC, ITV, Sky, Global, Bauer, Thames Water and Anglian Water – to meet everyone’s demand for information, content and entertainment and enabling a switched-on world to flow.

We are the only supplier of national terrestrial television and radio broadcasting services in the UK, consistently delivering digital TV, analogue and digital radio to people in all four corners of the country. We distribute over 1,000 channels internationally using our fibre and satellite infrastructure. Our advanced, secure and dedicated networks are also supporting the management of critical data for a range of smart metering networks in the energy and water sectors.

For more information, news and insights from Arqiva, please visit the website at: www.arqiva.com

About Techex:

Trusted by premier global broadcast and media customers with their most valuable live workflows, Techex transports, protects and transforms live video over IP and in the cloud. Its expertise ensures the safe and secure delivery of high value content, where precision, scalability and flexibility are paramount. Using its extensive broadcast experience, Techex supports organisations in transitioning to IP and the cloud. 

Techex develops its own award-winning software and partners with market-leading technology companies developing an ecosystem of best-in-class solutions and services which can handle the most challenging scenarios.

In a market where customer expectations continually evolve, content providers require solutions that deliver reliable and high-quality video whilst optimising cost and operational efficiencies. Techex bridges the gap between the rigours of traditional broadcast and the agility of cloud native infrastructure.  

• Lower reliance on physical CDNs results in lower costs and total energy consumption

06 September 2024 - Global media services provider Arqiva has enhanced its portfolio of streaming services with the addition of new broadcast optimisation capability.

Provided in collaboration with System73, the new service offerings for optimisation, QoE analytics and seamless CDN switching aim to reduce the delivery cost, latency, environmental impact and viewer satisfaction issues that come with the increasing requirement of content owners to deliver traffic over the internet, all while increasing quality of experience. 

Arqiva’s managed service provides content owners with the reassurance of 24/7 x 365 monitoring, ensuring our customers’ data and content gets to the end destination with optimum service levels at all times.

The new service will utilise System73’s Data Logistics Platform, a centrally orchestrated P2P network and transportation optimisation model which identifies the best routes to deliver the highest bitrates to edge devices.

The service has the potential to reduce reliance on physical CDNs for up to 80% of traffic, which can lower data centre energy consumption by the same percentage.

Three needs come to the fore when we talk to customers about delivering streaming media. Quality of experience, cost efficiencies and lowering carbon emissions.

By enhancing our sector experience, valued partner status and existing streaming portfolio with System73 capabilities, we believe we’ve found a sweet spot with a scalable and sustainable solution to meet all three of those needs. 

We will be able to ensure content is delivered consistently, at exceptional quality, at reasonable cost with the lowest environmental impact, all underpinned by the reassurance of Arqiva’s 24/7 x 365 managed service capabilities.

Dom Wedgwood, CTO, Arqiva

We are thrilled to partner with Arqiva, combining our cutting-edge technology with their extensive infrastructure and expertise in the broadcast and communications space. Together, we are creating new possibilities for sustainable, high-quality live streaming solutions with infinite scalability. 

This partnership enables us to deliver exceptional performance and reliability to global audiences while driving innovation and reducing the complexity and cost of content delivery. We believe this collaboration will set a new standard in the industry and open doors to exciting opportunities for both of our companies.

Jonathan Gibson, CRO, System73

Ends

Notes to editors

Visit Arqiva [8.MS6] and System73 [5.F18] at IBC in Amsterdam, 13-16 September 2024. 

About Arqiva: 
Arqiva is at the heart of the broadcast and utilities sectors in the UK and internationally, providing critical data, network and communications services.

We work in partnership with our customers – major broadcasters and utilities like the BBC, ITV, Sky, Global, Bauer, Thames Water and Anglian Water – to meet everyone’s demand for information, content and entertainment and enabling a switched-on world to flow.

We are the only supplier of national terrestrial television and radio broadcasting services in the UK, consistently delivering digital TV, analogue and digital radio to people in all four corners of the country. We distribute over 1,000 channels internationally using our fibre and satellite infrastructure. Our advanced, secure and dedicated networks are also supporting the management of critical data for a range of smart metering networks in the energy and water sectors.

For more information, news and insights from Arqiva, please visit the website at: www.arqiva.com

About System73
System73 provides the only Data Logistics Platform that proactively optimizes content delivery routes to bypass network congestion, maximize QoE, and scale up as needed, for maximum customer retention and revenue. 

This patented technology offers comprehensive visibility across the entire content delivery chain, monitoring all ASN routers, from CDNs to end devices. Advanced AI diagnostics assess the network's traffic and capacity to find the least congested routes, minimizing latency, optimizing QoE, and enhancing viewer satisfaction to reduce churn and increase revenue. 

By offloading traffic, we reduce CDN dependence, scale the network as needed, and deliver reliable streams, even in remote areas, cutting costs and boosting profitability. For more information, news and updates from System73, please visit our website at: www.system73.com.

02 September 2024, UK, Winchester, Hampshire: Leading UK communications infrastructure and media services company, Arqiva, is celebrating connecting two million smart water meters to its network.

Arqiva’s network is the backbone of the two largest smart water meter networks operating in the UK today, and is designed to support water providers in meeting Ofwat’s water leakage and per capita consumption reduction targets for the next Asset Management Plan (AMP) five-year period and beyond. 

Against the backdrop of increased regulatory attention around meter connectivity levels, Arqiva underpins its approach by delivering robust installations, strong connectivity and, therefore, reliable and accurate data.

The comprehensive range of connectivity solutions offered by Arqiva, allied with successfully installed smart water meters, is supplying water providers with the complete and actionable data that is needed to help them to influence consumer consumption patterns and identify leaks across the network. 

The two million meters installed to date have achieved industry-leading network connectivity and read success rates.

Connecting two million smart water meters is a fantastic achievement from all concerned - our customers, engineering teams and the wider team at Arqiva. 

Our services provide an uninterrupted supply of the rich data required for a successful smart water meter programme, and it is the data that provides the true return on investment for a rollout. Data helps our customers monitor supply, address consumer needs, demonstrate success to stakeholders and ultimately gain a greater understanding of the use of this most valuable resource.

It’s also great to see Ofwat’s recent agreement that connectivity, not simply installation, is the primary factor in measuring the success of a rollout. The guidance set out in Ofwat’s draft determination echoes our own dedication to helping the industry achieve its aims with successful large-scale smart meter programmes that deliver results upheld by robust connectivity and reliable, accurate data.

Mike Smith, Executive Director of Smart Utilities Networks at Arqiva

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Notes to Editors

Research from Arqiva identified that fitting one million smart water meters in the UK each year for the next 15 years could save one billion litres of water a day by the mid-2030s, and reduce the UK’s current greenhouse gas emissions by up to 0.5%.

https://www.arqiva.com/news-views/news/smart-water-meters-can-help-the-uk-reduce-its-greenhouse-gas-emissions

In addition, independent research  carried out by Frontier Economics and Artesia shows that a coordinated rollout of smart metering would deliver £4.4bn in benefits to society against costs of £2.5bn. Representing a net benefit of £1.9bn. The 2021 analysis pointed to an environmental and social benefit of £1.73 for every £1 of cost incurred. Savings coming from improved leakage control and network management, and by avoiding the need for other water resources.

https://www.arqiva.com/news-views/news/smart-water-metering-rollout-could-deliver-19-billion-net-benefit-to-society

Greening of Streaming - (www.greeningofstreaming.org) - a not-for-profit member organisation focusing the streaming industry on developing joined-up engineering strategies to reduce energy waste in the delivery infrastructure - today marks a significant milestone as it welcomes Arqiva, a key player in the broadcast and utilities sector, as a new member.

Arqiva is at the heart of broadcast and utilities in the UK and globally, providing critical data, network and communications services. Partnering with customers, Arqiva builds and operates the complex ecosystems and infrastructures through which data and content can move effectively, securely and sustainably at scale – whether through broadcasting and transmission services or intelligent networks for energy and water.

Sustainability is a crucial priority for the business, and Arqiva has set its strategy to become a Net Zero Organisation by 2040, with an interim target of reaching net zero across our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2031. In its Scope 3 plans, Arqiva collaborates with suppliers to make its products even more carbon-efficient.

Arqiva has two further sustainability goals: to positively enhance the environments it operates in and to optimise the use of natural resources.

Arqiva develops next-generation cloud-based, IP-enabled services to aggregate media content from different sources for distribution to different platforms. Using content delivery networks that can work alongside traditional broadcast platforms, Arqiva enables customer carbon reduction through improved scalability, enriched service aggregation, lower energy consumption, and reduced fixed asset base maintenance.

Arqiva is a trusted partner in the media industry, and we're actively developing and delivering power efficiency improvements across our broadcast platforms. As we help our customers transition to IP and cloud, the efficiency and sustainability of these new platforms are paramount not only to ourselves but also to content distributors, consumers and the wider industry. We are excited to join the GoS initiative and look forward to collaborating with other members, gaining greater insights and sharing best practices to drive positive change in the streaming industry.

Caroline Cardozo, Director of Product, Arqiva.

I'm truly excited to have a forward-looking organisation with deep roots in broadcasting join our organisation. Together, we will better understand sustainability issues related to hybrid media distribution situations. Considering data as a utility is innovative, and Arqiva will give us invaluable insights here.

Dom Robinson, Founder of Greening of Streaming

To find out about becoming a member, reach out to join@greeningofstreaming.org

ENDS

About Greening of Streaming

Greening of Streaming is a global organisation dedicated to addressing the energy impact of the streaming industry. We unite the sector to engineer real solutions that promote energy efficiency without compromising consumer experience. Our mission is to provide the industry with empirical data and best practices, fostering collaboration across the supply chain.

We support regulators and industry bodies in shaping standards and legislation that ensure a sustainable future for streaming. By educating the industry on streaming's true energy consumption and inspiring actionable change, we aim to eliminate greenwashing and promote genuine environmental responsibility.

Our commitment to NO GREENWASHING is central—our members strive to make accurate public statements about energy efficiency. As a members' association, we bring together diverse voices from the streaming industry, all committed to improving sustainability through knowledge sharing, research, and measured progress.

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Mission critical unified communications solution will bring security, resilience and reliability to SGN’s network infrastructure, wrapped up in a 24/7 managed service

July 22, 2024, UK, Winchester, Hampshire: Leading UK communications infrastructure and media services company, Arqiva, has been selected by gas distribution network SGN to deploy its fully managed Managed Connectivity service across 230 sites throughout England and Scotland. The future-proofing network management solution will bring together multiple technologies into a single, cohesive service, and ensure that SGN’s critical data is supported by a resilient network that delivers seamless connectivity during the five year contract. 

The Managed Connectivity service will use a closed end-to-end customer network to establish secure and highly available connections between SGN’s devices in the field and its command and control systems. To ensure robustness, the Managed Connectivity service uses a combination of cellular and satellite technologies and will provide SGN with a range of different equipment based on the coverage and data requirements of each site. Arqiva will be delivering both primary and secondary communications for the gas distribution company. 

Following installation and commissioning, Arqiva will be providing the day-to-day management of network operations. Leveraging decades of experience in moving data and managing networks both reliably and securely, the service will also ensure data security is upheld in line with SGNs CAF and NIS security frameworks.

We’ve been partnering with SGN since 2011, and are pleased to be able to support them with an evolution of our proven, resilient & fully managed solution. 

Today’s utility networks are facing a unique set of challenges, not least the need to balance costs with the need for greater visibility and control of their core and remote assets. Our Managed Connectivity offer, delivering future-proof connectivity in responses to these challenges, enables SGN to continue to focus on giving their customer the best clean energy experience.

Mike Smith, Executive Director of Smart Utilities Networks at Arqiva

We already have a great relationship with Arqiva so were delighted that the team was able to find a new solution for us. Offering a fully managed service, combined with deep expertise in critical national infrastructure and strong cyber-security credentials we knew Arqiva was the right partner for us.

Andrew Quail, Chief Transformation and Information Officer at SGN

- ENDS -

Notes to editors

About SGN

SGN manages the network which distributes natural and green gas to approximately six million homes and businesses across Scotland and southern England. Our pipes deliver gas safely, reliably and efficiently to each of these customers.

We perform an essential 24/7 service to keep everyone in our communities safe and warm. If anyone smells gas indoors or outside, they should dial the National Gas Emergency Number on 0800 111 999* and an engineer will visit that location to carry out the required checks.

We’re committed to caring for our customers, especially those in vulnerable circumstances, working with specialist organisations on initiatives aimed at making a positive impact on society and improving the lives of the people in our communities.

Alongside the UK and Scottish Governments and the other gas distribution networks, we’re developing the world’s first zero-carbon gas grid and shaping a net zero future for the UK.

*Calls are free and lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These calls are recorded and may be monitored.

28 February 2024, UK, Winchester, Hampshire: Leading UK communications infrastructure and media services company, Arqiva, has become the newest member of British Water, the trade association for water and wastewater supply chain organisations together with wider stakeholders across the sector.

Arqiva has been a key provider to the utilities industry for more than a decade. With a total of almost 2 million smart meters connected to our network, we operate the only smart water metering solution working at scale in the UK today.

Arqiva joining British Water demonstrates further our commitment to the industry and the promotion of standards, learning and technical development.

We’re joining British Water at an important time for the industry. The scrutiny it faces, and the number of key decisions to be made by companies and the regulator in the next couple of years is unprecedented. The impact of short-term decisions can ripple through the ages and limit options further down the line. 

This is particularly true in the metering and monitoring space and, through our work with Thames and Anglian on their smart water meter rollouts over the past decade, we’ve gained excellent insights into the demands of UK water industry. As British Water members, we’re looking forward to sharing some of those insights and contributing to the excellent forums, events and debates that take place to drive the industry forward.

Mike Smith, Executive Director, Smart Utilities Networks at Arqiva

Arqiva is a business with a growing presence in the water industry and we’re delighted to welcome them as a member.

British Water’s purpose is to provide leadership and promote best practice and we do that by having the broadest voices possible in our membership ranks.

Lila Thompson, Chief Executive Officer at British Water

Arqiva recently announced an industry-first joint agreement with the civil engineering and utilities specialist, Clancy, to deliver fully-managed end-to-end smart water metering projects.  

The new agreement will see Arqiva be responsible for network deployment and management, as well as raw data collection and analysis, while Clancy will oversee smart water meter installations.  

ENDS

The annual Vitality Britain’s Healthiest Workplace study has been developed by next generation insurer, Vitality, in partnership with Rand Europe, Aon, the University of Cambridge and the Financial Times. It enables companies to build an accurate picture of their employees’ health and wellbeing, while mapping the issues specific to their workforce, so they can confidently implement improvement strategies to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees.  

Using the data from the survey, Vitality calculates a score for every organisation based on several areas including work environment and culture, employee health and business outcomes such as productivity. The organisations with the highest scores are deemed the winner within their own category.  

All those who have taken part receive a personalised report with recommendations specific to their business, including feedback from their employees. Using the results of targeted question-sets, the report will provide employers with insight into their employee’s lifestyle, physical and mental health, and an understanding of how their workplace has impacted them. These findings help enable participating businesses to assess the impact its culture and environment has on the health and wellbeing of its workforce, as well as showcasing how this in affects engagement and productivity.  

I'm incredibly pleased, and immensely proud, that we have won this award. We work every day to support our people with their mental and physical wellbeing so that they can be the very best version of themselves at work - focusing on the whole person, so that they still have time and energy to enjoy a full life outside of work too.

Shuja Khan, CEO, Arqiva

The MP for West Belfast, Paul Maskey, has endorsed the importance of local TV and radio services after visiting the well-known Divis masts, visible across Belfast and County Antrim. 

Standing at 152 and 140 metres, the transmitters are the most important in Northern Ireland, providing a range of TV and radio services for almost 500,000 households across the country.  

During the visit, the MP acknowledged the importance of the structure at a time when universal access to Freeview TV and local radio has come under threat. 

Mr Maskey said:

“If you're living life on your own, sometimes the radio or TV can make all the difference to you. Sometimes it's the only company that people have, so it's very important that this type of service has continued and continues into the future.”

A coalition of charities and organisations across the UK are working together as part of the Broadcast 2040+ campaign, which seeks to protect vital TV and radio services for everyone – including the elderly and vulnerable people that rely on them the most – until 2040 and beyond. 

Freeview TV is especially important for older and vulnerable people, many of whom don’t understand or can’t afford services like Sky, Virgin or Netflix. 

Tara Pollock, director of communications at Arqiva, the infrastructure company which owns and operates the UK’s transmission network, said:

“It was a pleasure to meet Paul and to discuss our services and their importance in the North of Ireland and across the UK as a whole.”

ENDS

05 December, 2023, UK, London: Arqiva, the leading UK communications infrastructure and media services provider, has entered a joint agreement with Clancy, the civil engineering and utilities specialist, to deliver fully-managed end-to-end smart water metering projects. 

The new agreement will see Arqiva be responsible for network deployment and management, as well as raw data collection and analysis, while Clancy will oversee smart water meter installations.  

An industry first, the new offering will provide customers with a comprehensive one-stop solution and bespoke rollout package – comprising smart water meter supply, installation, managing end-points, networking, data and analysis. 

The partnership builds on the companies’ experience working together on metering programmes, including within Anglian Water’s Integrated Metering and Development Services Alliance (IMDS). 

With the end-to-end management and delivery of their smart metering operations also taken care of, customers no longer have to worry about project management resource capabilities and can build their smart meter network plans from start to finish under one contract.

Metering is seen as a critical priority for water companies as the industry begins the new regulatory period of AMP8 from 2024.  A combination of smart metering and data analytics are set to be important tools to reduce leakage rates across the country.  The new partnership is designed to meet this need, providing water companies with access to an established, tested system that will give them greater visibility on water usage and flows, improve the management of customer demand and address leakages across their networks.

This agreement with Clancy sees us build on our existing joint heritage in helping customers tackle the industry’s biggest challenges through smart water network programmes. Now, customers will be able to set up one contract and simply measure results on how many meters are now in the ground delivering the data they need. 

Every water company’s needs are unique, and we’re pleased to be able to add another element of choice to our offering. This industry collaboration marks another step in providing tailored, technical, operational and commercial solutions to meet every customer’s requirements. 

Mike Smith, Executive Director, Smart Utilities Networks, Arqiva

Climate and changing patterns in water usage are creating new stresses across UK networks. As the water industry begins AMP8, there is significant appetite to manage growing demand with increased metering. This partnership is part of work to make sure we are ready to support our clients on these challenges.

The new joint offer combines our longstanding contracting and installation experience and our directly employed workforce, with Arqiva’s expertise in network management and data. Together we look forward to bringing these skills to bear to support water companies’ roll-out of their ambitious metering programmes.

Ronan Clancy, Executive Director, Clancy

Ends 

About Clancy 

Clancy builds and maintains smarter, greener utility networks that are fit for the future.  

Working across major frameworks and alliances in energy and water, as well as supporting ground-breaking infrastructure programmes, the business is one of the UK’s largest privately owned, independent contractors – directly employing, training and supporting 2,300 people across a network of eight UK offices.

With a 65-year track record in technical expertise and innovation, Clancy is committed to continual investment in better tools and ways of working – making lives better for growing families up and down the UK. 

theclancygroup.co.uk

About Arqiva 

Arqiva is at the heart of the broadcast and utilities sectors in the UK and abroad, providing critical data, network and communications services.  

We work in partnership with our customers – major broadcasters and utilities like the BBC, ITV, Sky, Global, Bauer, Thames Water and Anglian Water – to meet everyone’s demand for information, content and entertainment and enabling a switched-on world to flow.

We are the only supplier of national terrestrial television and radio broadcasting services in the UK, consistently delivering digital TV, analogue and digital radio to people in all four corners of the country. We distribute over 1,000 channels internationally using our fibre and satellite infrastructure. Our advanced, secure and dedicated networks are also supporting the management of critical data for a range of smart metering networks in the energy and water sectors.  

07 November, 2023, UK, London: Arqiva, a leading global media services and utilities communications infrastructure provider, has been awarded an extension to its contract with Anglian Water to deliver a further 300,000 connected smart water meters. 

Building on the ongoing success of their smart water meter network partnership, which began in 2020, the extension will allow Anglian Water to continue to improve network monitoring, identify and reduce leakages, and engage with customers to modify behaviour and help them reduce consumption.  

To date, Anglian Water’s smart water metering programme has helped customers find and resolve over 200,000 leaks in their properties.

Secured following a competitive process, the network extension delivered under the agreement will ensure that around 97% of the properties identified in Anglian Water’s original plan for smart water metering (detailed in their AMP7 submission) are covered by a smart water meter network.

Areas benefitting from the extension include Milton Keynes, Bury St Edmunds and Braintree.

In addition, due to the position of the infrastructure, the installed network will be available to some adjacent areas which weren’t due to have access to smart water meters until the next wave of the roll out.

The general public are getting increasingly interested in the difference that smart metering can make. In Anglian Water, customers are highly engaged around the topic.  Around 75% of emails about smart meters are read by customers, with a high percentage going on to access the Anglian Water ‘myuse’ app.

The knock-on effect of fixing plumbing and service pipe leaks is an average reduction of 10 litres per household per day (l/hh/d) in the Anglian Water area. The impact of the leakage fixes alone means Anglian has saved 3 mega litres per day (MLD) on average over the 3 years since it began installing smart meters - meaning less abstraction from rivers and underground aquifers and more water left in the environment.

Arqiva delivers the smart water meter network for Anglian in partnership with global water technology company Sensus, a Xylem brand. The network leverages Sensus’ two-way FlexNet® communication network solution and smart metrology across Arqiva’s dedicated private 412MHz licensed spectrum. 

The introduction of smart water metering has been an unqualified success story for Anglian Water and shows incredible potential for the industry as a whole. The recent National Infrastructure Commission report has further set out the undeniable benefits.

Our own research has highlighted these benefits across the board, from identifying leaks to reducing per capita consumption and even lowering carbon emissions. We have always believed that it is a no regret investment, but to hear how much Anglian and its customers have benefitted thus far is fantastic. 

Complete data is key to all this. Having reliable visibility on how and where supply is being used, and lost, is the fundamental first step.

Anglian Water really has been a leading light for smart metering adoption. The recent PR24 business plan submissions show just how widespread support for smart metering is across the industry now.

With our experience of rolling out smart water metering networks at scale across the country, we are ready to support even more water companies with their short, medium and long-term plans in this area. 

Mike Smith, Executive Director, Smart Utilities Networks, Arqiva

The roll out of smart water meters in our area has already helped us find and fix leaks faster than ever before and better understand water use across the year. The data we receive from the network is already incredibly valuable for us in decision making, and as we develop increasingly sophisticated analysis techniques its value will only increase further.

Our aim is to make sure every home and business in our region has a smart meter by 2030. Our successful and expanding contract with Arqiva is a significant factor in achieving that aim.

Doug Spencer, Head of Smart Metering, Anglian Water

Ends

Arqiva's Chief of Operations, Adrian Twyning, recently hosted local MPs Kevin Hollinrake and Jill Mortimer at our Bilsdale site to see the new mast first-hand.

Following the fire in August 2021 which meant the original mast had to be dismantled, MPs across the region were key in getting information from 'Project Restore' out to their constituents.

The new mast, which at over 300m tall is now the 11th tallest structure in the UK, was built in record time by a dedicated team who made the most of every day by working outside during daylight, and on ground level overnight. The new mast went live for the main TV services in May 2023, with work continuing to install the equipment for radio and local TV.

Following the recent visit, both MPs have praised the hard work of the team to rebuild the mast.

Website of Kevin Hollinrake MP

Jill Mortimer MP writes in Hartlepool Mail

Work has begun on the dismantling of the temporary Emley Moor transmitter.

Following the successful switchover of broadcast services back to the main tower in June 2023, the structure is being removed section by section, initially by helicopter. 

Built in 2018, the temporary mast was required to enable engineers to undertake essential updates to the antenna on the tower as part of the nationwide ‘700Mhz Clearance’ project to clear some frequencies that were used for TV to be used for mobile data.

The 700MHz Clearance Programme was a major infrastructure project mandated by UK Government marking the biggest change to the terrestrial TV network since digital switchover. The programme involved complex technical changes carried out by Arqiva engineers at more than 1,200 television transmitters, which serve around 20m households.

The programme was classed by Government as a Major Portfolio Programme completing ahead of schedule and significantly under budget.[1]

The concrete tower at Emley began transmitting in 1971 and is a Grade II listed building. The iconic tower is 1,084ft (330.4m) tall.

[1] https://www.freeview.co.uk/700mhz

29 June, 2023, Winchester, UK. Arqiva, the leading global communications infrastructure and media services company, announces the appointment of Nicola Phillips as Chief Legal Officer.

An experienced commercial lawyer with a background in the broadcasting, engineering and technology sectors, Nicola’s appointment is effective from 01 July and she will sit on the Arqiva Executive Committee (Exco) reporting to CEO Shuja Khan.

Nicola joins Arqiva from Parker-Meggitt (a company delivering products and services in aerospace, defence and energy markets), where she was Deputy General Counsel (UK & EMEA) & Director of Legal Operations.

I’m delighted to welcome Nicola to Arqiva. Her CV is exceptional and the organisations and sectors she has operated in give her an excellent perspective on our business. Our business is about creating, developing and maintaining excellent relationships with our customers, regulator and other stakeholders, and the legal function plays a key role in making all that happen.

Nicola’s strong background combined with her energy and commerciality will be a great asset in delivering our ambitions for Vision 2031. I am really excited about working with her.

Arqiva CEO Shuja Khan

I already know the Arqiva business well, having previously worked at ITV, one of Arqiva’s largest customers. Arqiva’s role in delivering consistently, efficiently and innovatively for its customers cannot be understated and I’m looking forward to helping the wider team to deliver on our ambitious future plans.

I can’t wait to meet the team and get started.

Nicola Phillips, Arqiva Chief Legal Officer

ENDS

Transcript of speech delivered by Shuja Khan, CEO Arqiva, at the Deloitte Enders Analysis 'Media and Telecoms 2023 & Beyond' conference on 18 May 2023.

Arqiva does not create content. Instead, we provide the backbone of TV and radio in the UK. Through our digital terrestrial TV (DTT) transmission and satellite infrastructure, we deliver TV into four out of five households today. We use the same infrastructure to deliver radio, listened to by nine out of ten adults every week, and distribute TV channels to over 100 countries across the globe—and the latter also includes IP delivery. Separately, we are the pre-eminent provider of smart meter connectivity to the utility sector in the UK. However, our main job is to get content into your home, car and place of work; to deliver on the promise of universality day in and day out. There is no one size fits all approach to achieving that. We are not going through a simple transition from broadcast to digital—it is not like the transition from the horse and carriage to the automobile. TV and DAB radio broadcasting are already digital. In reality, we have an evolving mixture of ways people consume TV and radio and will do for a long time.

To be clear, there is no doubt that streaming is growing. However, despite the substantial investment in the progress of IP content delivery, broadcast remains the dominant medium. For example, about 88% of viewing and listening to BBC services today is consumed via broadcast. Enders Analysis predicts that by 2034, in ten years from now, broadcast viewing will be around 20 billion hours, which is still roughly 80% of what it is today. To deliver on our promise of universality, it is helpful to consider three Rs: reach, reliability and resources.

Firstly, we need to make sure services reach everyone. Over 98% of the UK population can receive free-to-air TV. No other technology can match the reach of digital terrestrial television (DTT). To be clear, I am referring here to both geographic and social reach. In this room, most of us can afford streaming subscriptions and superfast broadband. However, just under one third of UK households earn less than £20,000 per year. For them, broadcast provides quality and choice for no extra cost compared to the annual cost of perhaps £700 for a high-quality broadband package. It was reported this morning that one million people cancelled their broadband last year because of the increased cost of living. Luckily, those one million people were still able to enjoy 100 TV channels via Freeview on DTT.

There is also the UK’s ageing population: 45% of our population is aged 45 years or over. This group grew up before the internet existed and they will be around for some time. For them, broadcast has long been part of their daily life and routines.

Finally, there is geographic reach: it is important to remember that most UK audiences live outside the metropolis, with 20% living in entirely rural areas. For these households in particular, access to fibre broadband can be a substantial challenge. A breadth of content delivered through a mix of media means that not only is there something for everyone, it also reflects the diversity of the country we live in.

Reach is underpinned by reliability. Broadcast consistently delivers 99.9% reliability, meaning people are receiving TV and radio uninterrupted nearly all of the time. Both TV and radio are trusted lifelines for millions of people. A few hours, let alone days, without either can have a hugely negative impact on mental health and engender a real feeling of disconnect. I saw first-hand the impact of this when services were disrupted in Yorkshire, during the autumn of 2021.

In truth, IP has a way to go before we get there, both in terms of reliability and quality. At Arqiva we use fibre to transport content to over a thousand transmission sites across the country. We ensure the high resilience of our services by having a diverse network of connectivity suppliers. I can tell you from experience that fibre cuts, outages and planned works are a regular occurrence. We would not rely on one option for our connectivity, so I am not sure why households should do the same. We see the value of bringing broadcast levels of reliability to IP. This is why we are investing in software technology that helps deliver IP streaming via smart connected delivery networks. This will ultimately raise the quality of IP streaming to the level of HD, which is especially important for live events. By giving consumers the option of delivery technology into their homes, we are improving certainty of service. Facing cyber threats and ever-increasing challenges, this improves national resilience across the country.

Lastly, the final R: the resources we use to deliver content. More content is being delivered over broadcast now than ever before with over 100 free-to-air broadcast TV channels, 500 digital radio stations, 300 analogue stations, all delivered through the same network. It is well known that by sharing the broadcast infrastructure and the resources used to maintain it across the UK, all consumers can access a wide choice of content at the lowest possible cost. Less well known is that this shared network is environmentally sustainable: Ofcom figures show that energy consumption per device hour for streaming on TV is six times higher than that for DTT. That is worth bearing in mind when we are looking to reduce our overall carbon footprint as a nation.

To conclude, we are all navigating a changing landscape. To keep public trust, some things cannot change. For Arqiva, that means universal reach, our commitment to reliability and our effective use of resources. We are preserving the public service ethos that makes British broadcasting unique, recommitting to the principle of universality, building national unity, protecting communications resilience, and crucially, keeping viewer and listener choice at the heart of it all.

May 31, 2023 – The World Teleport Association (WTA) today announced that Arqiva has achieved Tier 4 certification of its teleport in Crawley Court, United Kingdom under WTA’s Teleport Certification Program.

Alongside the renewal of Arqiva Chalfont Grove Tier 4 Teleport certification, this underpins Arqiva’s commitment to provide the highest level of secure, resilient ground services to their satellite, broadcast and utilities customers.

Crawley Court Teleport is located at Arqiva’s Winchester headquarters, with 32 transmit earth stations, data center facilities and equipment hosting. As a Critical National Infrastructure service provider, Arqiva are now uniquely positioned to now offer two Tier 4 WTA certified Teleports.

To achieve Full Certification under WTA’s program, an auditor is dispatched to visit the teleport, provide independent validation of the data submitted in a questionnaire, and identify additional factors that may positively or negatively affect the score. Full Certification is issued at a Tier number from 1 through 4, of which 4 represents the highest degree of excellence, and remains in effect for 3 years.

We’re delighted to achieve Tier 4 certification for our Crawley Court Teleport as well as renewing the Tier 4 certification for Chalfont Grove Teleport. Our customers rely on Arqiva to provide end-to-end services of the highest quality and availability. Achieving Tier 4 certification from the WTA is a clear sign to our customers and the industry that we operate at the highest possible standards. Arqiva take cyber security very seriously with specialists in many different areas of data security, we actively look for trends and threats on the horizon and work alongside our customers to proactively support them in this area.

Lesley Wilson, Head of Satellite and Gateway Services.

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Since its beginning, the teleport industry has been an entrepreneurial success story. It is now a maturing industry, even as new entrants continue to appear, and it is quickly adopting the Independent, standards-based evaluation and validation offered by the WTA Certification program.

Executive Director Robert Bell.

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WTA’s Teleport Certification Program serves both teleport operators and their customers by creating an objective, transparent, and internationally accepted method for teleport operators to document the quality of their operations for customers and strategic partners. It also provides a means for customers to select teleport vendors delivering the price-performance level that is appropriate for their applications.

For more information about the Teleport Certification Program: https://www.worldteleport.org/?page=Certification or email WTA Membership Director Randall Barney at rbarney@worldteleport.org. 

About World Teleport Association

The World Teleport Association (www.worldteleport.org) has been helping its members aim higher since our founding in 1985. Today, WTA is the leading partner in growth for teleport operators, advocating for their commercial interests and promoting excellence in their business practices, technology and operations. The association publishes best-practice reports and presents webinars on technology changes and their business and market impacts. It also presents events and awards and provides global certification and assessment programs to validate excellence and drive improvement. Aiming higher creates opportunity. Aiming higher brings risk. WTA is dedicated to helping its members seize the opportunities and manage the risks to find the paths to growth in a massively changing market.

Since its introduction at IBC 2015, the Certification program has quickly grown in popularity. Starting with one certified facility in 2015, the program has added 40 in 3 years, and currently has 12 teleports engaged in the quality evaluation process. Certifications have been issued to teleports operated by Servicio Satelital, IABG Teleport, USEI, AXESS Networks, STN, Eutelsat, du, COMSAT, Optus, Talia, Telenor, Telespazio, Vivacom, Cyta, Orange, Singtel, A1 Telekom Austria, e& (Etisalat), Globecast, Satellite Mediaport Services, Hawaii Pacific Teleport, Intelsat, Telstra, Primacom, HellasSat, Santander Teleport and Arqiva. The industry has quickly adopted the transparent, independently verified standards as a means for teleports to differentiate themselves and for customers to choose the price-performance level suitable for their applications.

24 May 2023, UK, Winchester, Hampshire: Leading global communications infrastructure and media services company, Arqiva, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dom Wedgwood as Chief Technology Officer. 

Dom joins on 01 June 2023 and is appointed to Arqiva’s Executive Committee, reporting to CEO Shuja Khan.  

Before joining Arqiva, Dom was Senior Vice President for Broadcast Technology and OTT Playback Experience at DAZN Group, the live and on-demand global sports streaming platform. While there, he had end-to-end accountability for the product management and technology teams across broadcast, network and streaming. Prior to this he was Broadcast Operations and Technology Director for Perform Group, managing services for sports rights holders and federations.  

The Chief Technology Officer is a key role for the business and Dom joins at a pivotal moment, following a comprehensive programme of system transformation and platform consolidation.  

It is a great time to be joining Arqiva. This business has a great track record of delivering innovation for its customers, and industry at large, and I’m looking forward to continuing that work. 

This role has a broad and exciting scope. Building on Arqiva’s reputation for delivering world-class services, my team and I will be focused on developing solutions that accelerate innovation and growth for our customers through the use of new and emerging technologies. 

Dom Wedgwood, Chief Technology Officer, Arqiva

Dom joins us at an exciting time and I’m immensely proud that we have someone of his calibre joining Arqiva. Having a strong customer perspective is critical for our new product portfolio across broadcast and utilities. The transition to IP and cloud is a key enabler within broadcast and media, and Dom’s direct experience of both these areas is an important factor in his appointment. He will also super-charge our efforts in our mission to help the utility sector digitise over the next decade 

Dom will be accountable for a technology function that enables Arqiva to provide best-in-class propositions to all our customers, regardless of industry and irrespective of where they are on their digital journey. 

Shuja Khan, CEO, Arqiva

ENDS