Internet Connection Utilization (Internet Speed) Help!?

Alright, I've recently done many checks on my internet connection and it says that I have around a 1 Mbps Connection... the bad thing is, however, I paying for a 12 Mbps connection. Any tips on how to get most or all of my 12 Mbps? Anything will help out, software, hardware, even requesting doing something to my modem. I'm using Verizon DSL BTW...