So, after connecting up the 256 modem, ringing the Quickstart hotline, and being put through to a (shock horror)
UK call centre (with a nice Liverpool lad helping me out down the phone), I now have a 10Mbit service with 512Kbit upload. Hmm. 20:1 down:up. Seems normal for cable, but after a few years on ADSL, I think I've been spoiled! Time to face up to what's reality for the next 9-10 months! STM probably daily, mighty fast torrenting overnight if I get to it, and a modem that'll surely be more toasty than the 250!