Virgin Media Inc. (formerly known as ntl:Telewest , after a merger of NTL Incorporated with Telewest Global, Inc. ), became in 2006 the first "quadruple-play" media company in the United Kingdom, bringing together a service consisting of television, Internet, mobile phone and fixed-line telephone services. Virgin Media represents a prime example of telecommunication convergence. As the only major cable company in the United Kingdom, it competes in the market with one other major pay-TV operator, satellite-based BSkyB, and with Freeview, the free-to-air terrestrial service. While US-headquartered, Virgin Media only operates in the United Kingdom, with headquarters in Hook, Hampshire and it's financial base being in Bradford. On 1 July 2007 it emerged that the private equity investment firm The Carlyle Group had initiated discussions to acquire Virgin Media Inc. but recent movements in the global credit-market have put potential acquisition opportunities on hold.