Personal Computer World for January 2004 just crashed onto the door mat with its "Annual Awards" feature. Awards are voted by UK readers through a survey.
Best Broadband provider was BT Broadband with 25% of the votes in this category. NTL came next with 18%. Then Telewest (both very regional). Followed by Freeserve and Tiscali.
For 512 kbps they all fall within the range £25-£30 pm. They all have free installation offers at times.
Pipex showed a serious flaw in their admin for one of my clients.
Personally, I try to look behind the froth of the various free offers and differences of £1 per month on contract. BT have the resources and own the copper wire my Broadband arrives on. I have no plans to change - particularly if I lose my e-mail addresses!