Warning: ISP services are not the same

GlenT_2

There are several posts about Internet Service Providers (ISP) raising their costs. If you are looking to change take care - I just moved from O2 to BE. They are both at the (relatively) low cost end of the market but O2 "shapes" (degrades) its speed when there is lots of usage. This is no good if you're using it to watch internet TV (BBC iPlayer) on weekend evenings - you end up waiting repeatedly for the next bit of the programme. BE doesn't "shape" (check the MSE reviews) so I went for them. BUT I was shocked to find that they don't provide an email service. To-date I've had NTL, BT and O2, all of whom had email inclusive so for a provider to say "NO" was completely unexpected and I feel hoodwinked by the omission. This may become a trend - so take care to compare all aspects of an ISPs service or you also could be left high & dry - like me.
NB. Actually I'm not high & dry: O2 have confirmed that they currently continue to provide ex-customers with a basic email service for free!!! - for how long I don't know but a least it gives me some breathing space while I sort out an alternative. I must say that O2's telephone and email customer service has been fantastic - even after I've left them. It's UK based and the staff make you feel valued. BE's on the other hand has been unsatisfactory: Polite and factual, but far from empathetic - It has not been a comfortable experience.
Glen

kwikbreaks

Using an ISP email is a bad idea anyway as it can lock you into their service because of the hassle changing your email address.

I think I got caught out once many years back but can't recall the last ISP email I used.

JJ_Egan

From day one BE charged for a separate email service .

As many have said have one email that does not use an ISPs address saves shifting email address when changing ISP .


ISP services have never been the same .


Must sort mine out for my move to BE .


jje

cgk1

As the others have said, only a complete newbie to online uses the ISP supplied email.