BT Wholesale has just clarified to us that the minimum download speed consumers can expect to receive from its new 'up to' 40Mbps Fibre-to-the-Cabinet ( FTTC ) fibre optic broadband technology is 15Mbps. In addition the operator confirmed that VDSL2 (not VDSL) is being used to deliver the "last mile" connection over existing copper wire and into people’s homes.


BT Wholesale also noted that it would enable ISPs to select an FTTC 2Mbps upstream speed service or they can increase this to 'up to' 10Mbps. At this point in time a 15Mbps upload speed does not appear to be on the cards.


Separately we note that BT Business (Retail) has issued its own guideline on FTTC based fibre optic products, which pegs the minimum download speed at 12Mbps. It's odd that this is lower than the 15Mbps touted by BT Wholesale and BT Retail's own consumer Infinity product.