is the speed affected by the time of day?
 

i was downloading a video, which took hours, and the speed was in the low 9-12kbps then (sadly near the end) it suddenly picked up to around 54kbps this was late at night (like 12 o'clock) and i was just wondering if its faster late at night or at other times of day? and why?

It can be depending on your ISP, some of them tend to shape usage during peek hours....Who is your ISP???

In addition to what WW says, large downloads can jump in speed once a faster alternate source comes online, or has enough of the file to start sharing it.

Also, peak times tend to be after supper and on weekends (of the country the file comes from).