Living in a rural area with no cable, I rely on DSL. My provider offers multiple packages delineated mostly by speed of download. Moving from the basic package (slowest) and upgrading to the middle speed made a HUGE difference in download, SPECIFICALLY when I played GT lessons. It completely eliminated the same start-stop mentioned in the OP. The marginal cost for the upgrade was ten bucks a month...I was extremely pleased. :)

I also learned the ISP had made available speed upgrades/improvements I wasn't aware of. When I discussed another issue with my provider's tech, he pointed out I had the slowest package. I said, "No...I signed up for the middle package." Tech said, "It was the middle package *then*, it's the slowest now." The upgrade following my order took place the same day and was transparent...except for the increase in speed.

I don't have experience with cable so I don't know if that technology offers the same kind of options. But if it does, it might be worth checking out.