OT–Uverse and Comcast modem equipment fee charges

We had previously had AT&T DSL, and switched to Uverse because we were offered a deal that was going to be a higher speed, free installation, and free modem.  The past 2 months I have had the most difficult time speaking with them as first it took the moving of a mountain to take off the installation charge from our bill.  Now, the swear we are obligated to pay the $6/month equipment fee charge since we didn’t purchase the modem even though the original notes say we were offered a free modem.  They waived the fee the first month having read notes that we were offered the free modem, but now they charged the fee again and the notes on the free modem have dissappeared from the system.  They now say that even if we payed $100 for a modem from them in the 1st place that we still would have lease the equipment and have the $6 charge.  We cancelled the internet as I was prepared to do without internet for a few months while we saved money to pay for Comcast’s modem and installation fee.  But, now I learn that Comcast charges this same fee and with purchasing a modem from Comcast and installation fee, we would spend tons more money.  I humbly called AT&T back and accepted their offer to just credit our bill for $5 for 1 year to help with this $6 equipment lease fee.  Only because for the long haul we don’t want to be without internet and I found out that we can’t switch back to DSL once Uverse is installed.  

Do you guys who have Uverse, Comcast, or something comparable pay a fee like this?  Or if you bought a modem or got a free modem with the sign on deal do you own the modem?  Different people at AT&T have told me all different things I am so confused.