Ping times are 700ms if you are lucky, 900ms is more typical. So forget online gaming.
They cap your daily or monthly downloads, so you can't download 4GB movie ISOs.
It is great for email and general surfing. Usually it feels like dialup speeds (due to the ping) but it gets faster when you download larger files where the PING doesn't impact what you are doing.
If you can get Telus or Shaw high-speed, I would do it even if they pissed you off. If you are in the boondocks then go for satellite.
You can also try www.xplornet.net, I have used their service for a couple of years, they have Hughes and Telesat, Telesat is the fastest, newest technology. Hughes if you go pass your alloted download quota, they will shit you down for awhile, Telesat will just reduce your speed