Home
 » Guest Editorial Article » 
Sponsored Links

SCCI’s Perspective on the Challenges of Broadband Upgrades for MDUs

Tuesday, Sep 10th, 2024 (12:01 am) - Score 960
Steve-Chesterman-SCCI

Recent discussions, largely driven by Openreach, are pushing for regulatory changes to ease access to Multi-Dwelling Units (MDUs). In response, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has sought input from internet service providers (ISPs), but there has been little representation from freeholders.

With over 35 years of experience working with both freeholders and full-fibre ISPs, we have a unique insight into the barriers to fibre broadband delivery in MDUs. This experience has led to the development of the following solutions:

NOTE: This article is a special Guest Editorial for ISPreview.co.uk, which has been written by Steve Chesterman, the Operations Director of SCCI Alphatrack (SCCI Group), a specialist in the design, supply, installation and maintenance of highly innovative Fibre, Media and Fire Life safety systems. The views of this author are their own and may not represent those of this website.

4Fibre: A neutral, shared full-fibre network supporting multiple providers over a single installation.

Fibre Assist: Helping freeholders navigate fibre deployment across their entire portfolio.

We believe it’s critical to distinguish between “upgrading” and “installing new infrastructure.” The installation of fibre is a complex process that involves significant safety considerations, such as asbestos management, fire safety, and resident impact. The term “upgrade” oversimplifies what is essentially the creation of a new network.

Advertisement

Freeholders must maintain control over access to their buildings, ensuring work is done safely and to a high standard. ISPs, focused on speed and cost, may take shortcuts that compromise safety and long-term viability. If ISPs are granted automatic rights, how can freeholders ensure the safety and integrity of their buildings?

Openreach’s push for automatic rights (here and here) stems from underestimating the complexities of MDU installations, particularly in areas where other ISPs have already deployed, sometimes poorly. Altnets have been navigating these challenges for years, and changing the law to favour one player is unfair to those who have worked within the current framework.

Paragraph 17 of the Electronic Communications Code (ECC) outlines the conditions for upgrading and sharing infrastructure, stating any changes must have minimal impact on appearance and impose no additional burden on property owners.

However, upgrading and installing fibre are vastly different. Installing a new fibre in some MDU’s can take up to 10 weeks – demonstrating how misleading the term “upgrade” can be. We believe freeholders should retain the right to decide what happens on their property. Loosening planning rules could lead to serious financial and legal consequences.

Advertisement

Instead of focusing solely on upgrade rights, the government should promote shared, neutral networks like 4Fibre, which allow multiple ISPs to use a single installation, reducing the burden on freeholders and accelerating fibre deployment.

The Electronic Communications Code already supports shared networks, stating operators have a legal duty to share apparatus whenever practicable. Shared networks should be a government priority alongside upgrade rights.

We are committed to breaking down barriers to fibre deployment and would welcome further discussions on the key differences between upgrading and new fibre installations. We’ll be at Connected Britain, feel free to stop by stand S131 to talk all things fibre!

Share with Twitter
Share with Linkedin
Share with Facebook
Share with Reddit
Share with Pinterest
Tags:
Steve-Chesterman-SCCI
By Steve Chesterman
Steve is the Operations Director of SCCI Alphatrack (SCCI Group), a specialist in the design, supply, installation and maintenance of highly innovative Fibre, Media and Fire Life safety systems. Find me on .
Search ISP News
Search ISP Listings
Search ISP Reviews
Comments
6 Responses

Advertisement

  1. Avatar photo Dawn Taylor says:

    Its refreshing to see articles like this especially coming from an installer of fibre services.
    It shows that SCCI Alphatrack give consideration to the Freeholder and the requirements they have to understand what is going on in their buildings.
    Automatic rights is clearly devised to remove barriers however in doing so it will remove safety process that need to be followed.

    1. Avatar photo Steve Chesterman says:

      Hi Dawn

      Appreciate your positive response.

      Your right – we give consideration from the freeholder perspective

      Having 35 + years experience with freeholders & MDU’s we are well placed to provide a balanced opinion

      Automatic rights is devised to remove barriers, however increasing those rights must be balanced, so that safety & freeholders rights are not compromised

      If you’re a freeholder in need of help – reach out and we will see if we can help you.

      Fibreassist@sccialphatrack.co.uk

  2. Avatar photo Nelio Goncalves says:

    It is great to see articles like this especially when it comes for a fibre installer with many years of experience in MDUs.
    It shows that SCCI takes in consideration Freeholders and the requirements they have on their buildings.
    Automatic right is a devised to remove barriers, this can result in safety processes being removed or not followed.

    1. Avatar photo Steve Chesterman says:

      Appreciate your response Nelio

      Cheers

      Steve

      Fibreassist@sccialphatrack.co.uk

  3. Avatar photo Ben says:

    Interesting article — but how many networks are willing to use SCCI’s 4Fibre solution? No good installing fibre if it’s too awkward for the networks to use…

  4. Avatar photo Steve Chesterman says:

    Hi Ben ,

    It’s far from awkward

    I would very much welcome a discussing with you to explain what 4Fibre is about & how easy it is to use.

    It is more robust than conventional methods & clearly better than doing a job 3 or 4 times.

    The ISP’s concerned by a shared solution have an (understandable) preference for exclusivity

    My email is stevechesterman@sccialphatrack.co.uk

    Cheers Ben

    Regards

    Steve

Comments are closed

Cheap BIG ISPs for 100Mbps+
Community Fibre UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: First 3 Months Free
Vodafone UK ISP Logo
Vodafone £23.00
150Mbps
Gift: None
Youfibre UK ISP Logo
Youfibre £23.99
150Mbps
Gift: None
NOW UK ISP Logo
NOW £25.00
100Mbps
Gift: None
Virgin Media UK ISP Logo
Virgin Media £25.99
132Mbps
Gift: None
Large Availability | View All
Cheapest ISPs for 100Mbps+
BeFibre UK ISP Logo
BeFibre £19.00
150Mbps
Gift: None
Gigaclear UK ISP Logo
Gigaclear £19.00
300Mbps
Gift: None
Community Fibre UK ISP Logo
150Mbps
Gift: First 3 Months Free
toob UK ISP Logo
toob £22.00
150Mbps
Gift: None
Vodafone UK ISP Logo
Vodafone £23.00
150Mbps
Gift: None
Large Availability | View All
The Top 15 Category Tags
  1. FTTP (6155)
  2. BT (3693)
  3. Politics (2779)
  4. Business (2484)
  5. Openreach (2446)
  6. Building Digital UK (2365)
  7. Mobile Broadband (2202)
  8. FTTC (2094)
  9. Statistics (1951)
  10. 4G (1857)
  11. Virgin Media (1812)
  12. Ofcom Regulation (1617)
  13. Fibre Optic (1491)
  14. Wireless Internet (1477)
  15. 5G (1453)
Promotion
Sponsored

Copyright © 1999 to Present - ISPreview.co.uk - All Rights Reserved - Terms , Privacy and Cookie Policy , Links , Website Rules , Contact
Mastodon