Very Basic Qs about changing ISP

1. If I request a MAC and don't use it will my ISP cut me off after 30 days anyway?
2. What happens to emails that may still go to old addy. Can I redirect them like I do my mail when I move house?
3. I gather there is usually some internet downtime between providers. Is this random/is there any way I can minimise this/can I overlap providers?

I will probably be back with more Qs as I think of them....

Can't answer them all......

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3. I gather there is usually some internet downtime between providers. Is this random/is there any way I can minimise this/can I overlap providers?

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If migrating between BTw based products, there should be little or no down time at all. If between BTw/LLU then there can be lengthier downtime, as the line is rejumpered in the exchange.

I can't get an LLU account, so it will have to be via BT lines.

So the down time will be negligible. As for the e-mail thing...get yourself a separate account, tell those that it's important to about the new account.

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2. What happens to emails that may still go to old addy. Can I redirect them like I do my mail when I move house?

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Depends on the old ISP. If they keep your email account on their servers, then you will eb able to carry on using webmail or collecting with your email client prog, assuming you have a program or programs so you can connect to 2 ISP's mailservers. Don't rely on it, because the old ISP can pull it anytime, and if you use it, it is possible that some iSPs could think of it as a basis for continuing to charge you.

I am with AOL, so I use their browser to access my email.

I think I can log in to collect it as a webmail from remote locations though?

You can get ISP-independent email free - see Googlemail seems the best.

Or for

Obtaining a MAC should not result in you being cut off if you don't use it, but with some ISPs it does. It should just expire.

With AOL I don't know.