  Well, this has not actually solved any our current NTL internet problems, but after our internet connection dropping again earlier today, I've phoned NTL to report it, and for the first time, they have admitted that our router could not have been at fault.
They've given us permission to set-up our network again (seeing that their 'experiment' had failed), and are currently 'monitoring' our connection (whatever that means). Problem is, it's too little too late... we've started looking into ADSL alternatives. Anyone know anything about the ISP urlLink Bulldog ?
PS, before I was able to post this message, our connection died again. The forth time in the past 2 days. We've since phoned NTL again, who now think it's something to do with our cable modem, so they are sending someone out to replace it. Lets hope this is the last of our problems. 
