iOS4.3 unable to download iPhone 4

The download begins and then an error - occurs after a few hundred MB- never the same amount. It occurs on two MacBook Pros for two iPhone 4s with the Firewall off on both laptops. Ive tried multiple locations/connections- ie; public library, starbucks, hotel, mcdonalds. I cant download at home as were on satellite internet and the download is 1/5 of my monthly bandwith allowance- not to mention software updates for multiple Macs, iPhones.....
Whats frustrating is its just under 700MB and every time it stops, it has to restart from scratch. Tech support has little advice other than to try another hotspot/connection as its not available as an independent download and can only be done through iTunes.
Anyone else had a problem or found a workaround?
MBP 17" 5,2 3.06Ghz, Intel C2Duo Mac OS X (10.6.4)