BTOpenreach, which alongside Ofcom is responsible for ensuring that all rival UK based ISPs gain equality of access to BT's local network, has confirmed that its existing superfast 'up to' 40Mbps (15Mbps uploads) FTTC broadband service will soon be replaced by a new 'up to' 80Mbps (20Mbps uploads) product.

The 80Mbps service was first announced during May 2011 (full details). At the time BT also alluded to the possibility of a faster upstream (upload) speed (most ISPs currently offer a maximum of 10Mbps with FTTC/Fibre based connections), although the official 20Mbps figure for their new 80Mbps download service has only recently been confirmed via the Triallists Working Group.

Work on the new FTTC upgrade is expected to get underway by the end of this year (Q4-2011) and carry on throughout 2012. Meanwhile BT intends to remove its existing GEA-FTTC 40/15Mbps product variant from further sale on July 31st 2011. Existing customers will not be affected and may gain a speed upgrade when the new service surfaces next year.

A similar 40/15Mbps service is also offered over BT's forthcoming fibre optic FTTP platform, although BT has yet to make a decision about its fate. In any case the 110Mbps capable FTTP products still haven't been able to launch due to delays refining the installation process (i.e. they still take too long to complete).

It's important to stress that this news does not affect existing 40Mbps/2Mbps or 40Mbps/10Mbps products, which are offered by most FTTC supporting ISPs ( e.g. BT-Infinity ) and will not be withdrawn.. yet.