ADSL modem confusion with MAX

I signed up with Namesco for an 8mb MAX package and was told my existing USB (Safecom) modem would be fine to use. My speeds have been very low (between 1 and 2) and their tests indicate there isn't a BT issue. Namesco now say only their own modems can deliver up to 8mb speeds with my MAX package and that I'll need to buy a USB modem from them.
Is there any way I can adjust whatever settings are affecting my own modem, to allow full connection speeds? As my Safecom modem information says it works for up to 8mb speeds, I'm confused about what the actual problem is?
Many thanks.

There is evidence to show that USB modems don't perform so well on the top end of the speed range, but if your sync speed is less than 4 meg, I'd have thought it wouldn't be an issue. As to buying another USB modem from your ISP, that smacks of BS.

Thanks.. I'm a bit confused as not really up on these matters. I do recall though, that when I changed from AOL to Euro1net a year and a half ago, that my modem was 'locked' by AOL and changing to the Safecom one solved continuous connection issues (yep - I have not chosen my ISPs well. <sigh>).

EVeryone I know who has a realistic claim to know what they are talking about and doing uses a router and not a modem. Even if you only need a single port (which is all you get with a USB modem, in effect) having a separate box to handle your Internet connection has many advantages. Not least is that it can either be left on all the time or turned on a few minutes before your computer and makes the connection itself.

A major benefit is that you have an external firewall which cannot be disabled by the very things that software so-called firewalls are supposed to stop communicating.

Apart from what you have now, all you need is:

A router - plenty of choice, many of the best described on the ADSLGuide pages.

An ethernet connection on your computer - you probably have one already, but if not an ethernet LAN card is not expensive.

An ethernet cable which should be provided with the router.

Thanks Junderwood... from what you guys have said, yes - sounds like I need to put an ethernet card in or wait until I buy a new machine (soon). I'm not sure I have a spare slot but I guess it's more incentive to hurry up and upgrade my system (having major problems deciding laptop v. desktop!)