It's the same here you get the router for " free" it's just added in the monthly fee but they won't tell you , but at least we have the freedom to use our own router like in build your own , you can use an old pc with 2 network cards and install something like PFsense or Opnsense if you know what you are doing :)
Combined with your own DNS server like Pi-hole or if you don't have the server option use something like opendns.com .
The benefit is that you have a lot more abilities to secure your internet connection.
Since our gouverment requires more and more things done online the ionternet connection here has become a necessity of life by law.
I try to protect my internet connection like the front door of my house with a decent lock (firewall ) :)
Hidden costs are not cool at all and not fair either. We also have the freedom to use our own router, but there's no need for that as they gave it to us for free.
In any case, good think you've found a solution.