I use Dan Elwell's Broadband Speed Test prog, available here:
http://www.vantage.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/v2/v2.htm
There's also a good upload speed tester here:
http://www.pcpitstop.com/internet/BandwidthUpTest.asp
I have the NTL 1meg service.
My download speed is fine, but my upload sucks, so I can't really host any better than someone with a 600k connection.