well to be honest i have had ntl for over 10 years worked for them for 3 years (98 - 01) and i have had broadband since it started and never had a problem, ok the odd outage but i have had never had 1 complaint, only thing that annoyed me was when my mother phoned up cos she didnt have the same shopping channel as my aunt, then ntl found i was not on the employee package and astarted charging me correct lol bloody mothers eh
(and i came home tonigh from the pub after work and have 10meg)
being a former employee and custoemr i have never had such problems as i know many have, i am guessing the region where you are also dictates this