If your speeds are 24k then your probably on a digital slick which is a sort of line sharing that telcos use.
If you have cell phone service with a data plan you can use your cell device as a modem and get faster speeds. I tether my bb storm to my laptop when on business trips becasue in general the hotel connections suck, and with the cell phone as a modem I usually get 3 meg down and 1 up with no problem and it only costs me an additional $15 a month because of my service plan.