This Internet problem sounds like a throughput problem rather than a connect speed problem.
It reminds me of having to obtain file transfer software that could handle a larger number of blocks in transit, before it insisted in receiving an ack for the first block. Software was then written, for a dial-up file transfer network that could handle the time delay generated by the signals being routed over 4 Sat links. I wonder if this is the same problem, but on the Internet, as indicated when your cable link was down?!!