mixture - your recommended site was new to me and fascinating but too complex for a 'bear with a simple brain'
No probs. The whole LLU thing can be a bit of a curious thing to get your head around if you are not technically inclined.
In relation to that site, the idea is that you can go to the exchange availability page (
SamKnows Broadband - Availability - Exchange Search) type in your phone number and postcode and see who's in your area in terms of "independent" non-BT based providers.
Another good website, incidentally also less "techie", is ThinkBroadband (previously known as ADSLGuide) at
thinkbroadband.com .... it's a great site, primarily a forum site like PPRuNe, but they also host reviews and other stuff it is run by a very friendly bunch of mods.