New Pace unit focuses on pay-TV innovations

[BGonaSTICK]

Set-top box maker Pace Micro Technology has announced the creation of a new business unit - Pace Networks.

Pace said the new division would "open up new markets" for the company by offering pay-TV providers "innovative solutions" to "grow their subscriber bases and increase ARPU by gaining new subscribers that were previously difficult to reach, either due to expense, legislation or other restrictions".

Pace Networks' first product is Pace MultiDweller which delivers interactive digital services to customers living in multi-dwelling units (MDUs), including digital video, broadband and telephony.

"MultiDweller provides a cost effective method of converting existing coaxial distribution networks within MDUs into high-speed triple-play bi-directional networks, without the need for any modification or additional cabling," said Pace.

"End-users can access all TV channels (subject to conditional access) through real-time video switching techniques. As a result MultiDweller only distributes the programmes currently requested from users' set-top boxes via the communal network. Bandwidth released can then be used for other services, such as broadband internet access and VoIP."

Pace CEO Neil Gaydon said Pace Networks built on the company's skills developed over the past 25 years, and took Pace "further up the chain in the delivery of digital content". "We are very excited about the possibilities and opportunities Pace Networks will bring to Pace as a whole, and view it as a natural evolution of our skills sets and expertise," he added.