Recent upgrade to telecom pole but what is it?

None of the networks are un-contended. When you hear of the split ratio mentioned above, that is what it means. The urban Openeir IFN network has a 1:64 split ratio so one bi-directional 10Gb/s OLT port is split among 64 premises. NBI use a 1:32 split so 10Gb/s among up to 32, the older Openeir rural network is also 1:32 but it is GPON so it is 2.48/1.24Gb/s split among 32, which is why they can't sell the 2Gb/s product on that network.

In reality it is probably unlikely that there are actually 64 premises connected as that would require 100% take up of FTTH products in your area.

Wouldn't the SLA mandate a specific upstream port speed configuration? If the split ratio is 1:32 and the SLA specifies 500mbps min. then surely the port would be configured to 32x500mbps (assuming all 32 DP ports are used)

So in the case, the exchange ports would be configured to 16gbps to guarantee all customers (regardless of package) the 500mbps at all times.

The exchange port is an XGS-PON port. Its limit is 10Gb/s, there is no possibility of increasing its capacity. To have an uncontended 500Mb/s you either lower the split ratio, which involves major re-cabling works, or you move to 25G PON where 25Gb/s is shared over the given split ratio. Both options have costs involved.

I would not get hung up on this, the wholesale networks in partnership with their technology partners, Huawei and Nokia, are obviously happy that the networks will work as designed.

I didn't think you were being pedantic! It is interesting to hear the eir gigabit advert talk about "no more sharing with the neighbours".