If you want to leave AOL, you can do it without having to pay off the remainder of your 12 month contract, if you cancel before the end of this January. This is because AOL UK has been sold to the Carfone Warehouse. This constitutes a change to your terms and conditions and allows you to cancel your contract. The relevant paragraph in the terms and conditions is as follows (it helps to quote it when cancelling your contract):
If AOL makes any significant changes to this Agreement then we will notify you at least 30 days in advance. If you do not agree to the changes, you may end your Agreement by notifying Member Services on 0870 320 2020, or by email sent from your master account to
[email protected]. We must receive notice from you within the 30 day period. If you terminate in these circumstances during the 12 Month Commitment and are on an Annual Plan, then AOL will refund you for the balance of the Minimum Term from the effective date of termination. (The effective date of termination will be the day before your next billing date after you notify us that you are ending this Agreement). AOL will not refund any charges to you if your Agreement is ended.
Speaking for myself I am switching to Zen Internet.
See comparisons of ISPs available in Britain at Think Broadband: http://www.thinkbroadband.com/