Macquarie UK Broadcast Ventures Limited has agreed to a series of undertakings with the Competition Commission in connection with its £2.5 billion (€3.34bn) proposed purchase of National Grid Wireless.
The undertakings effectively prevent any integration of the NGW business with the Macquarie-owned Arqiva until the Commission has made its final ruling. It means that Arqiva and NGW will have to maintain separate sales teams and brand identities for the time being. Customer and supplier lists will also have to be kept separate and regular reports made to the Commission.
The Office of Fair Trading referred the purchase in August, citing that the transaction would create a monopoly supplier in TV and radio transmission services.
The Competition Commission is expected to make its findings public by January 22, 2008.
