well I have tested my ISP, it shows results like that:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/187415944.png
speed slightly jumps, download up to 9k and upload up to 1.1k
doh and my ISP says it is 100 mbit connection
I am not _very_ happy with this ISP but it seems pretty good...
So looking at your connection speed I am 100% sure it makes all the troubles.
You say you chars separate are ok. But as I said before when you use /follow there is a bug so /follow does massive spam and overloads your internet connection.
P.S. lol just noticed you did test to NY which is 100 miles away from you... US servers ~_~
tested my connection to Moscow - ~50 mi from me
http://www.speedtest.net/result/187417420.png
:P