UPC Using Innovative Pace High Definition Set-Top Box to Reduce Energy Consumption

The Pace box for UPC has been created under Pace's Low Environmental Initiative (LEI), which is delivering a number of important energy related benefits to UPC including lower power consumption, reduced packaging and reduced use of hazardous substances in manufacture. Importantly, Pace's UPC product has achieved stand-by power consumption of less than 1 watt.

Eric Lennon, Chief Technology Officer of UPC Broadband, commented: "We are very please that Pace, as a long-term partner to UPC, has continued to develop set-top boxes in line with our requirements including those for reducing power consumption levels of our digital TV service. This is increasingly important as we launch more sophisticated services such as high definition and work to achieve the right balance between technical innovation and environmental performance."

Mathias Hautefort, Pace President, commented: "We are delighted to have worked with UPC to deliver against their environmental targets. Pace has consistently gone beyond the standards, always meeting legislative targets in advance of industry deadlines, to give our customers complete confidence that their products are not just at the leading edge of digital TV technology, but also ahead of the curve in environmental performance.

He continued: "We believe our products are among the most energy efficient consumer electronics products in the world, but our environmental commitment is not limited to set-top box performance. We have also taken action to reduce the environmental impact across all aspects of our business, from our buildings to our operations and supply chain. With our focus now on the supply chain, we have already completed the first phase of a supply chain review, which will enable us to work with our supply partners to improve the entire environmental footprint of our set-top box products. We look forward to our future work with UPC as we continue to lead in the design and development of low environmental impact set-top boxes."

The box Pace has designed for UPC, under Pace's low environmental impact initiative (LEI) is part of an ongoing 'Design for the Environment' framework being adopted across Pace's entire range of new products. This includes a CPU design that minimises the power performance requirements of existing generation silicon.

Pace has been committed to set-top box power efficiency for over 10 years, having consistently driven down power consumption across the entire usage cycle, not just in the high-profile arena of stand-by power. For example, over the last three years, total power consumption in Pace's high definition PVRs has been reduced by over 70%. Pace will continue to drive down power consumption, enabling its customers to exceed any energy saving initiative -- mandatory or voluntary -- anywhere in the world.

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Note to editors Paces Low Environmental Initiative (LEI) targets three areas of greatest environmental impact for the set-top box industry:

1) Power consumption -- the hardware design of every Pace product from this point onwards will comply with or exceed mandatory guidelines and voluntary initiatives. In regions where no guidelines exist, Pace will apply the closest guidelines to these areas(1). Pace will work with its key partners to drive compliance across all aspects of the final product, including software.

2) Packaging -- all materials used in the packaging of Pace products will be 100% recyclable. Pace is setting a minimum standard of 50% of all materials used in packaging to be sourced from recycled materials.

3) Hazardous substances -- Pace is going beyond current legislation with its own extensive 'Restricted Substances' list. Pace will phase out any additional hazardous substances from all future products going forwards.

About Pace plc Pace plc (LSE:PIC) is a leading technology developer for the global payTV industry, working across satellite, cable, IPTV and terrestrial platforms. Pace has one of the world's most experienced specialist engineering teams, developing intelligent and innovative products and services for both payTV operators and retail markets across the world.

Pace employs over 950 people in locations around the world, including France, the USA, India and Hong Kong. Pace's international headquarters are in Saltaire, West Yorkshire, UK. For more information on Pace, please visit www.pace.com.

SOURCE: Pace plc

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Kevin Connor 
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Helen Kettleborough 
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