A boss at Bradford firm Pace fears progress on developing the hi-tech home of the future could be delayed if technology does not keep ahead of the game.

Andy Trott, the Saltaire firm's director of technology and strategic development, outlined the firm's fears at the Personal TV Conference.

The hi-tech or networked home will allow people to activate kitchen and security devices from outside the home and operate personal computers and telephones from a distance.

But, he says, the hi-tech home could face problems becoming a reality if the bandwidths involved in allowing the signals to reach home become cluttered.

He said: The networked home is on target to become one of the first major breakthroughs of the 21st century, enabling consumers to link the growing number of electronic devices around the home to the outside world via a high bandwidth data pipe. Pace Micro Technology believes this "Home Gateway" will be the set-top box, connecting via wireless communication technologies the home's PCs, telephones, kitchen appliances, security devices, utility meters and more.

"The initial network is already possible and Pace demonstrated its prototype earlier this year. However, further advancement is threatened unless moves are made to prevent overcrowding."