Bradford firm Pace Micro Technology is at the forefront of a hi-tech revolution set to net it millions of pounds in sales.

The Saltaire firm is one of the global partners working with California-based Cisco Systems to develop new products which will deliver interactive technology through the air instead of using cable.

One of the main benefits will be speedier access to the Internet and another will be a reduction in the cost of interactive equipment.

The hi-tech equipment will allow the new technology to be used almost anywhere because it will be sent by way of a signal instead.

The firm, based in Salts Mill, saw its share price shoot through the roof today - leaping from 244.5p to 292.5p at midday. The company employs 1,000 people, mainly at Saltaire.

Some of the ten partners involved include household names like Motorola, Samsung and Toshiba.

Cisco System technology will deliver services such as high speed Internet access, quicker telephone connection, home shopping and banking. It will also drive personal computers.

Pace was chosen for the partnership as it has worked with Cisco for a number of years. The two are currently using their joint know-how to provide an interactive service for Cable & Wireless.

Pace chief executive Malcolm Miller said: "This new technology will radically reduce the cost and time in rolling out networks to deliver digital interactive TV, Internet, telephony and video-conferencing."

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