You could also be using bad DNS servers... you could always try deleting your DNS cache... try to find a new pathway to the server... may not help... but its worth a stab. Or resetting your winsock catalog.
oh yeh, your nic card could be crap. Check out, Killernic cards.... they set a priority for ping rates... if you have a decent connection (in the general sense of the word) then it might be your nic card acting silly... and if you didnt know, NIC means Network Interface Card, or your ethernet card to the comman man. lol... give it a try...
*shrug* Used to be second level internet support... who knew? lol
i only have 1.5m on dsl, however, i do live in ks... but, i still achieve 20-30ping rates.