Note these numbers are for uncompressed data, just to give you an idea on raw data throughput. With compressible data, throughput can go up by a factor of 2 or 3 over these ratings. However, because graphic images on web pages are already compressed, the real multiplier for web browsing generally works out to around 1.5 to 2x the above listed rates. So divide the times by 2 to approximate real world download times assumming 2 to 1 compression. Amazing but true, a large number of web surfers out there still use those tired 14.4 modems.
Life is short.
A pretty good line should get about a 48 to 50K connection. The Telephone Network was designed to carry voice traffic, not the flood of data transfer it is being used for today. DTE vs DCE speed . Well, this is a common misunderstanding of what the reported connect speed means. The DCE speed is the speed between your modem and the other modem you connect to.