The troubled internet and phone provider TalkTalk ( AOL UK , Tiscali , Opal ) has confirmed that its new 'up to' 40Mbps Fibre Broadband Boost (2Mbps uploads), which will be based off BT's FTTC technology, is to launch in May 2011.

Existing 'Essentials' and 'Pro' package customers will need to pay an additional £10 per month for the service, while a one-off activation fee of £25 will cover the engineer installation and VDSL ("Fibre") Modem. Installation typically takes up to two hours, depending on the complexity of the setup in your home.

Strangely TalkTalk has opted to forgo its recent January 2011 adoption of "shorter" 12 month contract terms, which are also offered as standard alongside most FTTC services from BT Wholesale. Instead existing customers will have to take a lengthy 18 month deal.

Until only a few days ago TalkTalk customer services staff had been telling people that it's new product would launch at the end of next week (14th-15th April), although the official line is now definitely May 2011.