Posted: 27th Jan, 2010 By: MarkJ


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 statement to ISPreview:
"BT is pre-qualifying FTTC lines to ensure end users' FTTC lines support at least a 15Mbps downstream rate. However it should be remembered that FTTC lines are rate adaptive and line speeds can fluctuate. If an end user lines drops below 15Mbps for a significant period a fault can be raised on that line."
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.
BT Wholesale said:
"BT Wholesale currently enables our CP customers to select a FTTC 2Mbps upstream service or they can increase this to up to 10Mbps."
BT RETAIL added:
"10Mbps is the current service max and it is too early to comment on future service enhancements."
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.