Pace achieves hi-tech milestone (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Major breakthrough for Saltaire company

12:13pm Tuesday 24th November 2009 in Business By Chris Holland

Digital TV technology group Pace, based at Saltaire, Shipley, has achieved a major milestone for its new product.

It enables digital signals to be provided to multi-occupancy premises without the need to rewire the building Its Pace Networks division has signed a deal that will see the MultiDweller system installed in some of the world’s top hotels to provide tailored broadcast services in guest rooms.

Quadriga Worldwide., a strategic business partner to leading hotel groups, has selected MultiDweller to provide television services to hotel guests.

Quadriga will provide hoteliers with improved communications offering guests with more content choice and allowing hotels to take advantage of new commercial opportunities.

The MultiDweller product, designed and developed by engineers at Pace’s headquarters at Salts Mill, has been designed to overcome the constraints at difficult-to-access multiple-occupancy buildings such as apartment blocks and hotels.

The new technology will enable hotels to provide guests with content choice ranging from hotel and local information to financial and travel news.

Mark Budie, technology director at Quadriga, said: “Infrastructure constraints can prove extremely challenging for hoteliers, so MultiDweller was a natural fit as it allows us to bring enhanced digital services to hotel rooms cost-effectively and efficiently.

“The solution opens up access to massive bandwidth, allowing us to offer to our customers a new generation of truly converged digital services – well beyond internet access and entertainment - with minimum disruption to the hotel’s business. Because of this, it also represents a strategic choice for us, and Pace will be a key partner in delivering this next-generation technology.” MultiDweller is the first product from Pace’s Network division to go to market. It avoids the need to carry out costly modifications or cable upgrades and can be used by service providers worldwide to deliver a wide range of interactive digital TV and broadband services cost-effectively.

Peter Balchin, general manager of Pace Networks, said: “Our agreement with Quadriga is a significant milestone for Pace Networks, as we help create a viable return on investment for our customers to connect any subscriber, in any building, anywhere in the world.

“Without the need for any modification or additional cabling, MultiDweller opens up digital access using the existing network infrastructure so is an extremely cost effective and solution for any hard-to-reach consumers.”