Yep, had the same experience as John and Sage, but not much lately.
current problems as described, kicked off whilst a page is loading, or can only get as far as the ISP, then, although apparently connected, I'm not, or am at such a slow speed that EFFECTIVELY I'm not connected. Sometimes can't even get to that stage. Sometimes, like tonight, no problem.

I used to have a little program which 'flashed' the ISP at intervals to keep them from kicking you off whilst downloading. Can't remember what it was called, but it worked.

Sage's "What is a cooker" reminds me of a television show I once saw.
There was a woman who'd made an impulse decision to take a trip, and left a phone message to her husband.
"I'll be away for a day, so you'll have to get a TV dinner out of the freezer and warm it up in the oven. The freezer is the big white thing next to the telephone, and the oven is part of the other big white thing next to the sink." Curled me up.

And yes, about that satellite, I've already lined my cap with lead. I don't need any more dentist's bills...