A tip: the Andrews & Arnold shop at
http://aaisp.net.uk/broadband-accessories.htmlis open to non AA customers, is really cheap and there's a lot of very high quality useful hardware there. Basically unless it is really good kit, it doesn't make it into the list, so it's a very useful way of being sure about what you're getting. How about a superb ADSL modem for £20!
Kit is not locked to A&A as far as I'm aware, not in any way, because there isn't any need to do so. But of course, if in doubt ask a human, they have a no-bull policy.
You can talk to someone on the phone SMS, Twitter or chat via IRC, there is a web-based IRC chat service available on the website at [
http://aa.net.uk/kb-irc.html ], if you don't already have an IRC client app.