Intermittent Downloading

[AF1]

I find a varying speed + stop/start effect with downloads.

"Bell" curve combos are displayed in the internet speed window. They go from 0KB/sec up & down to some maximum level and eventually back down again to 0, followed by a period of "no download" for a duration of 1-5 times of the previous download length!!! Which really brings down download efficiency.

I have found this to be the case on different computers, networks, countries & XP/Vista. With previous versions (e.g. 3) the problem seems to be less accentuated!!

Are there any known workarounds for this (like, in the settings)? Or...