24 Mbps

It is done.

We've switched to Be* Broadband, and while I wasn't expecting to get the full 24Mbps download speed, I was pleasantly surprised to be getting a healthy 18Mbps on my speed tests.

18Mbps!

The benefit is not immediately obvious - as browsing from page to page is only a tad snappier. The real noticeable difference is with high-bandwidth applications such as video (BBC News website videos load in a flash!), podcast and music downloads, etc.

I've even managed to get HD video streaming from Apple.com's Quicktime website, which I had no hope of doing before.

Probably the most impressive stat I have is when I downloaded Linux Mint the other day. It's a 900Mb ISO file, and it downloaded from a server in the US in just under 3 minutes.

Finally - and coincidentally - the same day we had our connection upgraded, Apple launched the movie download and rental service through the iTunes music store. My Apple TV is very happy now. :o)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll have to put on my safety goggles, and get back to surfin' the web. :o)