UPDATE
finally! a new modem

...
it took four phone calls to get through to a man called hameed - he was great, seriously best guy, ever!!!
took him 5minutes to realise my signal levels were low (like you guys said

) and put an order in for a new modem to be delivered. modem didn't come when he said it would, but who cares.. it came!!!
VM need more workers like hameed
0.64 upload - which is alot more like it!!!
thanks for your posts guys... very greatful