If you're only looking at a "speed limit", yes, T1's are slow at 1.5Mb/s, but they are synchronous connections, meaning that the bandwidth is the same in both directions. DSL and cable are typically asynchronous, with throughput rates generally slower upstream(from your PC to the Internet). As has already been mentioned, T's are governed by SLA's, as well, further guaranteeing that you actually get 1.5 both directions. DSL and Cable connections, especially consumer services, are not bound by any SLA's, other than uptime(and even that's not much of a guarantee). This entire discussion is a non-point, anyway, since your network speed is measured by the ISP as the speed your cable/DSL modem connects to the nearest ISP-owned node(CO, DSLAM, etc.). If your ISP has a network speed test, you'll almost always get close to your advertised speed, but if you use speakeasy, DSL Reports, toast.net, etc., your connection is running over multiple servers, switches, routers, and possibly even backbones. Each device you traverse on your connection adds latency. A traceroute will show how many hops it takes to get to your destination. You can safely assume 2-3 ms of latency added for every hop. Speed tests are overrated. If you can comfortably perform your online tasks, your connection is sufficient - no need to get your panties in a bunch over theoretical bandwidth speeds.