I for one do not mind banner ads, as long as there is only one banner. I have been to sites that have banners on three sides of the screen (didn't go back). The site being slow is merely an annoyance to me, as I am on broadband as well. Dialup would be torturously slow though as Twisted 6 said. I expect there are people now that are not logging on because of the time to load (or they think the site's down because of it).
I don't know how much exactly it would cost for a 'faster' allotment, but till the host gets their end sorted out I believe it is better to wait and see (as you implied).
