Can't you sign up to BT openworld for 12 months to avoid the fee then change after to whoever you like ? I sympathise with you mate I really do

I could do, but it's the thing of hating BT with a passion, also I can find much better deals elsewhere, not to mention the whole having to buy my own modem to avoid the same problem you had. I will look closely at the deal and if I have no other option then I will sign, but it's blackmail on a serious level.

You may not have to buy your own modem only if you get the incompatibility issues I had.For the sake of best deals even if you sign up to a dearer BT package for 12 months it will save you in the long run rather than paying to have your line sorted then going with someone a couple of quid a month cheaper.I would watch the limited download packages I downloaded over 3 gig in 2 days this weekend !!