Browsers stop loading pages

[elanecu]

Powerbook G4 running 10.4.6 1.25G Memory. Firefox 1.5.0.1, Safari 2.0.3 2MB cable broadband, NTL(UK).

Yesterday and today, while running Firefox, the application suddenly stopped loading pages... if the HOME page was clicked there was simply a blank screen, though the application itself didn't crash. I then tried Safari which also wouldn't load its homepage (blank screen, application also didn't crash). I was connected, as MAIL continued to download emails, and a download through UNISON continued with no break. I shut down, rebooted the modem, restarted and all was back.

This morning exactly the same thing happened. Before rebooting I went online with an iBook running 10.4.5 with a wireless link to the same cable moden via a Belkin router. The same thing happened. MAIL worked, but both Firefox and Safari refused to load any URLs.

This leads me to think the problem is somewhere in the cable modem/router/NTL area, rather than in the computers/software.

I've rebooted the modem again, and (hence this message) all is working.

I'd appreciate an informed opinion as to what is going on.

Thanks.