Digital TV technology group Pace plc has confirmed that it is talking to a satellite operator in India about launching a new digital service there.

The Saltaire-based group responded to recent national press speculation about a potential Indian deal with a short statement confirming the talks.

It has been reported that Pace is looking to supply set-top boxes to Tata Sky, an Indian pay-television provider which is a joint venture between Tata Group and Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.

In its statement Pace said: “Pace plc notes recent press comment regarding its business in India and can confirm that it is currently working to agree contract terms with a satellite operator for the launch of a new digital service.”

If the talks in India open up new markets on the sub-continent it will continue the remarkable expansion that has seen Pace grow tenfold in the past four years to become the world’s number one set-top box supplier.

Last year Pace, led by chief executive Neil Gaydon who has overseen its revival and growth, completed two key deals.

It paid £308 million for US-based 2Wire, a leading broadband systems provider, to broaden its US customer base with new market opportunities beyond cable and satellite. The deal puts Pace at the forefront of the residential broadband systems market in North America, supplying major telecommunications firms such as AT&T.

In November it bought Belfast-based specialist pay TV security software company Latens Systems for £28.7 million. That company has offices in India and the United States.

  • Read the full story in Friday’s T&A