[kwikbreaks]

I think the long contracts reflect the fact that most ISPs absorb setup costs and dish out free routers. There are usually reduced/free periods and cashback site payments too. My first year on O2 cost me £18. There should be paid install + own equipment options but the ISPs like to pretty much force their free offerings down everyone's throats because then they can script support for it and use cheap minimally trained (and paid) staff on the phones.