Boffins at Saltaire -based digital technology group Pace plc have helped the company break into new markets with software that operates on rivals’ equipment.

The company, which has its head office and a key development centre in Salts Mill, has clinched a software deal with a French communications firm to supply its new Helium unified gateway system which will be installed in 1.3 million homes across France.

Pace, the world’s number one set top box maker for pay TV operators, has sold the technology to Bouygues Telecom, one of France’s major mobile, fixed line, internet and TV communications providers. The deal will give Bouygues Telecom full control over platforms, including equipment in homes from various manufacturers, so that it can easily update its services.

Helium is designed to enable the operator to offer subscribers the latest in TV and IP-based services as they become available. Bouygues Telecom aims to have deployed the platform by the end of 2012.

Pace has also provided integration, training and consulting services to Bouygues Telecom.

Yves Caseau, executive vice-president technologies, innovation and services at Bouygues Telecom, said: “For us to continue the rapid growth we’ve enjoyed over the last few years, we must stay one step ahead.

“To deliver the latest and greatest entertainment experience to our subscribers, we simply cannot afford to wait for technology partners to carry out complex integration projects in order to get a new TV service or social media application into homes.”

Shane McCarthy (pictured), president of Pace International, said: “We believe that customers should be able to control their own services and how these evolve. In some cases, they want Pace to stay fully involved and drive developments for them. In others, the customer wants to manage their own software.

“Helium’s design, supported by Pace’s professional services, gives operators such as Bouygues Telecom this option, providing full flexibility for platform developments and easily integrating with other software platforms, applications and hardware as customers’ needs change.”

The software allows subscribers to connect a range of equipment into the gateway-managed home network – from printers and digital photo frames to set-top boxes and laptop computers – without needing to replace their devices.