A New Approach to Fibre

From Brutalist Towers to Better Broadband...

Steve Chesterman smiles as he recounts Weston Rise, a post-war estate in Islington where fibre deployment once seemed impossible. With architectural hurdles, limited access, and strict safety demands, this designated high-risk building scheme had long been dismissed as a digital dead zone.

But in July 2025, Community Fibre went live there, thanks to a high-performance, low-visibility 4Fibre installation that used everything from abseiling to MEWPs. It’s a fitting symbol of what 4Fibre is designed to do—cut through complexity with clarity, capability, safety, and care.

At the heart of this mission is Chesterman himself, Operations Director at SCCI and the driving force behind 4Fibre. With nearly four decades in the industry, he’s witnessed firsthand the rapid shifts—and recurring pitfalls—of network deployment in multi-dwelling units.

From Spaghetti to Structure

The seeds of 4Fibre were sown out of frustration. "When fibre started being deployed in MDUs, we saw the damage it caused," he explains. "Multiple providers running multiple cables, often without coordination. The result? Overbuild, spaghetti cabling, holes drilled through everything—it was a bit of a mess."

As a contractor working across housing associations, councils, and ISPs, SCCI had a unique perspective. "We knew the space. We knew the technical landscape. And we already had the trust of the freeholders. So, we thought, why not create a smarter way to do this? One that works for everyone."

The 4Fibre Model

"It’s particularly suited to high-risk or complex buildings," says Chesterman, "but it works in any MDU. We install a rugged, fire-rated sheath containing four independent fibre cables—each fully segregated. This lets up to four ISPs operate simultaneously without running their own cables"

The benefits are immediate. Installation time and risk drop by as much as 75%. Carbon emissions fall—fewer truck rolls, less material, fewer site visits. Aesthetically, the building stays clean. From a safety standpoint, there are fewer penetrations, less fire-stopping, and far better compliance.

"It’s a huge win for freeholders. Residents get choice, ISPs get access, and nobody has to watch their building turned into a pincushion."

In Line With The Code

The legal and regulatory framework backs this approach too. Paragraph 17 of the Electronic Communications Code encourages shared apparatus where the site impact is minimal.

"The Code says operators have a legal duty to share infrastructure whenever practicable," Chesterman notes. "4Fibre is built for that exact scenario—segregated ISP lines within shared containment. It aligns with the letter and spirit of the Code."

But regulatory alignment is only half the battle. In practice, fibre deployment in MDUs—especially in urban areas—is still fraught with barriers.

The Real Blockers

"People think the challenge is digging up roads," he says. "But in cities, it’s the buildings. Getting permission to go in. Convincing landlords. Meeting fire regs. That’s where most projects stall."

Following Grenfell, building safety regulation in the UK tightened—rightly so. But the pace of fibre rollout hasn’t caught up. "Many freeholders are cautious," he explains. "They’ve had bad experiences with rushed installs or messy retrofits. Now they have confusing messages about building safety, so say no by default."

And while the government focuses much of its digital policy on rural broadband, the urban MDU problem is often overlooked. Chesterman welcomes the increasing recognition from BDUK and DSIT but believes more must be done.

"If you want to hit the copper switch-off deadline, you have to tackle urban MDUs. And that means understanding the blockers: safety, cost, and trust."

A Better Way Forward

Some incumbent ISPs have called for stronger code powers and automatic rights to install fibre without freeholder consent. Chesterman isn’t convinced.

"We get the temptation," he says. "But if you force access without safeguards, you risk chaos. The first bad install creates exclusivity—freeholders won’t allow another. And without proper oversight, there’s no accountability if something goes wrong."

Instead, Chesterman advocates a clearer regulatory path. Building safety regulations, he says, could be adapted to allow exemptions where suitably accredited contractors are used.

"SCCI holds various self-certification accreditations, such as NICIEC (electrical), FIRAS (fire-stopping), and BM Trada (fire) accreditations. These are competent person schemes, accredited by UKAS to BS EN ISO/IEC 17065:2012. We believe these accreditations could be taken in to account when considering whether formal building safety approval is needed. But the guidance is muddy—and it shouldn’t be."

He urges policymakers to clarify the rules—and ask that ‘reasonable proportionality is considered.’

SCCI are in talks with an existing UKAS to BS EN ISO/IEC 17065:2012 competent person scheme (of which they are accredited) about the potential for being added to the government's list of regulated schemes, of which there are 17 already.

Who Pays?

One of the most radical aspects of 4Fibre is the cost model. "In most cases, the freeholder pays nothing," Chesterman explains. "4Fibre funds the infrastructure. ISPs buy a dedicated line from us—it’s not leased; it’s theirs."

The cost to the ISP is broadly equivalent to deploying their own infrastructure (like for like) but with massive savings in time, risk, and carbon footprint. For those that need support, 4Fibre offers lease-purchase plans and is now working towards an agreement with BDUK’s urban voucher scheme to extend the model further.

"The only time it gets sticky," Chesterman notes, "is when consultants, freeholders, or freeholders’ consultants demand excessive fees. That can spiral quickly."

Accountability and Performance

When it comes to network responsibility, 4Fibre makes the lines clear.

"Each ISP owns one of the four colour-coded cables," Chesterman says. "We terminate it just outside the flat. From there, the ISP owns and manages the connection like they would any other install."

If something goes wrong with the ruggedised main cable, SCCI handles the repair as part of a long-term warranty.

Because the system is built to last, actual damage is rare. "Fewer cables. Stronger casing. Less mess. It's a lot more robust than conventional installs."

Weston Rise: Proof in Action

For all its technical merit, 4Fibre's success ultimately comes down to delivery. Weston Rise is a case in point. Once a BDUK 'not spot,' the estate will soon benefit from multi-provider full-fibre access.

The engineering solution was tailored: discreet trays and conduits along walkways, strategic cable drops using abseiling teams, and a full safety-compliant install—all without compromising the building’s aesthetic.

"We were thrilled to win the ‘Rollout Challenge Buster Award’ (4Fibre’s third consecutive win in this category) for the Weston Rise project at the UK Fibre Awards, Chesterman shares "And working with Community Fibre we are currently trying to secure a BDUK voucher too. This project shows what's possible when technology, governance, and design come together."

For Steve Chesterman and the team at 4Fibre, it’s more than a clever network—it's also a way to bring connectivity to the people and places who’ve been left behind.

"It’s not just about fibre. It’s about doing the job right, doing the job once!”