Arqiva is said to be exploring its options in the refinancing of a £3.4 billion (€4.3 billion) debt taken on when the company acquired National Grid Wireless in 2007.
The acquisition of the former Crown Castle business – once the transmission arm of the BBC – brought together the UK’s transmitter masts under a single company.
Reuters, quoting unnamed sources, said Arqiva was holding early stage discussions on how to refinance the debt some of which matures as early as 2014.
Arqiva is owned by a consortium of seven shareholder groups, the two largest being Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) with a 48% holding and Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 2 (MEIF 2) with 25%.
Arqiva operates two national DTT multiplexes and five teleports. Its major customers include BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, BSkyB, Discovery, CNN, ESPN, Global Radio, Bauer Radio, Vodafone, O2, Orange, T-Mobile, 3 and the emergency services.