NTL: Yes, we'll give you a connection, then .... break it and spend a month and a half not fixing it.
EsatBT/Eircom : Yes, we'll get you connected, but we need 125 quid to install a phone line and then... time to actually give you a phone number and then more... time to install broadband before never doing it.
New place:
EsatBT: Broadband? Sure, that'll take a week... Oh I mean its active now, my bad.