didnt i read somewhere in another thread that you have a Terajet 210 modem ?
If so.. thats the problem... Only a 10mbit ethernet port on the network interface on the modem... I have the same issue here.. get 8 to 8.5mbit from mine... Ive not approached the subject with NTL yet.
PS: I seem to have been upgraded to 10mbit without even asking, I only enquired as to when it would be available, about a week ago and hey presto i'm now on it
Yippee!