Keeping email address when changing broadband supplier

I have my b,band and phone with bt and have paid line rental upfront. Can I change b.band only to another supplier and keep my email address. (Novice user!)

You can retain the BT email address but it will cost you £1.60 per month and is called BT Premium Mail

If you use 123-reg to create your own domain, you can use their email forwarding facility to send in bound emails to whatever ISP's email system you happen to be using. You can forward multiple copies which is useful for backup or if you have a laptop as well as a desktop computer.

Clearly you would have to make one email address change but thereafter you should be able to move ISPs more easily.

Mr Saffon has suggested paying to keep your BT email address. Michael_Clare has suggested getting your own domain, for example magpie.me.uk.

The first is simplest but is not cheap. The second typically (if you buy in 2-year chunks) is under £3.50 per year. In fact from 123-reg that he suggested it is £6.98 for two years.

Of the two, I prefer that way. You get a fully personal email address.

Using my example you can put anything in front of the @magpie.me.uk. In the 123 control panel you set it to forward all emails to your new ISP's email.

There is a one-off job of telling all your contacts a new address, plus all your online shop accounts/mailing lists and so on. But you never have to do it again when changing ISP. All you do next time you move ISP is change the one setting in the 123 control panel.

There is a possible snag - I shall ask Michael how he thinks it could be handled unless you are using what we call an email client - such as Windows Mail. How do you send and receive emails at the moment Maggie?

The third way, which I an many prefer, is to buy your own domain as above, plus email and/or website hosting. If you have a read of this page on my website, you get a lot more detail. Plus a link to the company I use. Very reliable, and excellent Customer Service. You may not wish to have a website yet, but the cost of domain + web hosting plus email hosting is £6.70 per two years for the domain and £14.99 per year for the web+email hosting. That's equivalent to £1.53pm, still less than the BT one. And you can st up a website on that domain in effect for free, using the bulder they provide, or WordPress or whatever.

Using that method you basically can move ISP at will with rarely anything to change. In the rare case, again it is at worst two settings on your computer. Though of course, you still have the initial hassle of changing everything from your BT email address.

Just a thought Michael, if she is using webmail how would she send emails with the domain email reply address? I referred to this as a possible problem in my reply to her.

Why not just set up a, free, Gmail account? No changes ever when changing ISP's.

In reply to a post by Stevenage_Neil:

Why not just set up a, free, Gmail account? No changes ever when changing ISP's.

That would be my suggestion too, for the "average user".

Google knows enough about us all without getting all our/my in/out emails to store and analyse as well. Similarly Microsoft with Hotmail.

Edited by RobertoS (Fri 02-Jan-15 13:18:46)

Do you think BT don't scan emails already?

You don't think the NSA and GCHQ scan private domains? If I were in the security service, private domains/web sites would be high on my monitoring list!

Edited by deleted (Fri 02-Jan-15 13:55:57)

Personally I combine a private domain name with Gmail at the moment. Don't want to directly use the gmail account as you never know when I might want to move away from Google (I don't care if NSA/GCHQ read all my emails but I do care that at any time Google could change the service in a way that means I would want to move to someone else).

I actually have 2 private domains. One related to my name for my normal communications (which also has forwards set up for a number of close relatives) and a second domain that is pretty randomly named but I use for sites where I might want to track email (ie if I setup an account with Microsoft then the email address I use would be Microsoft@mydomain.co.uk) - that way if I get spam to that address I know it was the address I used for them and I can if necessary bin all future emails to that address.

Most webmail accounts allow you to "send as" a different address. I have this setup on gmail although it seems you can't create it any more (at least the interface has changed enough that when I tried the other day it wasn't playing ball).

Gmail used to get around spoofing by sending an email to the "send as" address and you had to then click the link to confirm you owned the address.

I don't use BT ISP or email. Nor are BT as evil as google and MS.

Edited by RobertoS (Fri 02-Jan-15 13:57:55)

The security services are a given. As I just replied re BT, google and MS are quite likely to make day-to-day untoward use of any data they have about us. I can at least keep my email away from them.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

The security services are a given. As I just replied re BT, google and MS are quite likely to make day-to-day untoward use of any data they have about us. I can at least keep my email away from them.

I may be less into conspiracy theory but I just don't see this as that likely or significant. The sort of stuff they would potentially do is statistical analysis or scanning to improve service. It is generally unlikely that these companies could be bothered to spend time doing nefarious things with our email - there is just to darn much of it out there to have any impact. With potentially 2.2 million emails per second they just do not have the server or man power to devote to anything particularly significant with our emails.

It's my belief that Google do key word analytics for targetted advertising - but if you run AdBlock that doesn't matter. Can't think why MS should monitor E-Mails.

I am sure this isn't helping MaggieMagpie!!

It was you that introduced the google possibility . I happen not to want to use it, so this sub-discussion may be helping her decide whether or not she wants to.

I believe it is quite a good email service in itself. However I much prefer my method, with phone calls or emails for help responded to almost immediately by people who really know what they are doing.

Do you use google mail (as your main service)?

Edited by RobertoS (Fri 02-Jan-15 15:54:15)

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Do you use google mail (as your main service)?

Ha! My main service, for family and friends is via Sky. I do, however, have other e-mail addresses mail to which I forward to my Gmail account because of it's excellent Spam filtering and remote transmission capability. Actual e-mail retrieval is via Outlook.
A Gmail account is also useful for logging into other services.

In reply to a post by ian72:

Most webmail accounts allow you to "send as" a different address. I have this setup on gmail although it seems you can't create it any more (at least the interface has changed enough that when I tried the other day it wasn't playing ball).

I also have a Gmail account which is setup as you describe.

In the case of and email sent from BTinternet, the 'From' field contains my btinternet email account address, but there is also a 'Reply to' address which is one I have entered with my domain name email address.

Unfortunately you are correct. Although suggestions are very much appreciated, I am none the wiser, being a bit of a novice!! The GMail appears more straightforward, but I am not sure quite how to implement and what it entails. Thank you also for your insight!! Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you

In reply to a post by MaggieMagpie:

Unfortunately you are correct. Although suggestions are very much appreciated, I am none the wiser, being a bit of a novice!! The GMail appears more straightforward, but I am not sure quite how to implement and what it entails. Thank you also for your insight!! Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you

People here, myself included, tend to not see the wood for the trees........

1. Go to Google.com and set up an E-mail account for yourself.
2. Inform all your regular contacts of your new E-mail address.
3. Go into your existing BT E-Mail account and search and find how to forward your BT E-mail to another account - from that moment on, all E-mails will be forwarded to your Gmail address.

Here's what may be the tricky bit:- How do you currently access your BT mail?

So your options so far are:

1. Pay for BT Premium mail

2. Pay for a domain with email for example at www.123-reg.co.uk

3 Sign up for free webmail with Google at www.gmail.com

4. Sign up for free webmail with Microsoft at www.outlook.com

etc

In reply to a post by Stevenage_Neil:

You don't think the NSA and GCHQ scan private domains? If I were in the security service, private domains/web sites would be high on my monitoring list!

like most things I suggest, I get ridiculed each time I mention this, but I find it an excellent service as secure as you can expect in this day and age. https://www.unseen.is/

Thunderbird

Just configure Thunderbird to include your Gmail address - all done!

(A few hints on using Gmail:-

Gmail stores everything:- If you "delete" something from your Inbox it will still be retained in
"Bin", Trash", or "Recycle". You have to open the appropriate one and delete to finally get rid of it. Same for "Sent Mail".

Not really a problem.)

Now I'm confused!

You do realise that Neil's idea is to ditch your BT email address soon after leaving them? I'm not sure how long BT keep it open these days.

This indicates there may be a problem https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-and...

Have a look at the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxbIi2DpRmc

https://accounts.google.com/SignUp?service=mail&cont...

http://www.google.co.uk/intl/en/goodtoknow/online-sa...

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-and... (just noticed BatBoy has already linked to this )

Edited by Apprentice (Fri 02-Jan-15 19:39:00)

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

This indicates there may be a problem https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-and...

The article suggests enabling "Access for less secure apps" in Gmail.

Although this works, I prefer to enable 2-step verification and generate an "app password", since this provides better account security.

Although I have hotmail (free) accounts I also have my own paid for e-mail address(s). By having it that way I'm not tied to any service provider. The email address is mine (as is the domain). ISP email sound a good idea until you want to move. Then, ok you move to a new ISP and start using their email service, then you want to move again...........

With your own email address you are boss. Saves a lot of hassle. Gmail is another route but Google has too much info already for my liking without adding to it.

Eeee . Exactly my opinion.

OK.

That simplifies things re gmail (googlemail).

What we don't know, and is relevant, is why you want to migrate. If it is principally to save money then gmail is the way to go. That's assuming BT no longer allow free retention of your BT email address. They used to, but I think they no longer do. If they do, you probably have nothing to change.

If it is mainly from dissatisfaction with their broadband, or if £1.60pm is not a deal-breaker even if cost was the driver, then as well as gmail you have a choice between paying their £1.60pm or slightly less (though in annual/bi-ennial payments) for host-based email and perhaps web space as I've already discussed.

In terms of simplicity, given that you are using Thunderbird, all those are the same. Or were until I just saw the worry about Thunderbird and gmail.

I use Thunderbird and Tsohost and have migrated three times since moving from ISP-based email. No problems at all.

The important thing if you go either to gmail or a hosted service is that you do it as early as possible. The point being that you need to start sending from the new address ASAP; telling (using it) all contacts about the change and changing shopping contact details as well. This gives you a bit of time to spot any you have missed still coming in to the BT address.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

In terms of simplicity, given that you are using Thunderbird, all those are the same. Or were until I just saw the worry about Thunderbird and gmail.

No worry, it works fine. One can either enable "Access for less secure apps" in Gmail, or preferably enable 2-step verification and generate an "app password".

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

You do realise that Neil's idea is to ditch your BT email address soon after leaving them? I'm not sure how long BT keep it open these days.

I never said that! I said: "configure Thunderbird to include your Gmail address "
Note the underlined "include". Where did I say ditch your BT address???

As you said, not seeing the wood for the trees?

The wood is that she would prefer not to lose her BT email address/service. Andrew has provided the solution to that. £1.60pm.

If she retains her BT email address, then there isn't anything to solve. Gmail and all the other solutions are irrelevant. She will only need gmail or one of the other suggestions if she loses the BT email.

Edited by RobertoS (Fri 02-Jan-15 22:27:59)

In reply to a post by Stevenage_Neil:

Gmail stores everything:- If you "delete" something from your Inbox it will still be retained in "Bin", Trash", or "Recycle". You have to open the appropriate one and delete to finally get rid of it. Same for "Sent Mail".

Not if you are using POP3 access from a mail client like TB and not leaving msgs on the server.

Even if you do leave stuff on the server there is the issue that most providers' mailboxes are of limited size (Gmail = 15 GB) and you run the risk of losing the older ones if you exhaust it.

Also what you say for "Sent Mail".is not true when you are using a mail client to do the sending. GMail never sees such Sent Items.

Edited by XRaySpeX (Sat 03-Jan-15 02:05:30)

Thank you very much for all helpful info to summarize, I either pay BT keep email address or sign up for free gmail. Cheers

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

Also what you say for "Sent Mail".is not true when you are using a mail client to do the sending. GMail never sees such Sent Items.

I must be doing something wrong then. Whenever I send something from Outlook, via my GMail account, it is always retained in my GMail Sent folder.........

Just adding my thoughts to this discussion...

I also recommend GMail to people - great spam and malware filtering which helps a lot of people. Their email is available from any internet device and they don't have to worry about backing their data up.

I'm a Google fan but also have my own domain names.
Using a combination of email addresses works well for me.

When people register their own domain it's worth pointing out that this can make them easy to trace! i.e. If they have their WHOIS information on show strangers can see their registered (home?) address. Also some people pick the house name etc. as part of their domain perhaps giving away too much information if talking to strangers...

Just something for people to be aware of

Edited by b4dger (Sat 03-Jan-15 12:09:17)

In reply to a post by b4dger:

Their email is available from any internet device and they don't have to worry about backing their data up.

You can also Send from any internet connected device, which a lot of ISP generated E-mail accounts deny.

Post deleted by Tacitus

In reply to a post by Tacitus:

In reply to a post by b4dger:

When people register their own domain it's worth pointing out that this can make them easy to trace! i.e. If they have their WHOIS information on show strangers can see their registered (home?) address. Also some people pick the house name etc. as part of their domain perhaps giving away too much information if talking to strangers...

AFAIK you can still request the registration company to remove your address from the WHOIS details, although this only applies if you are a private individual. If you are a business it has to be on display as required by Company law, although I can imagine that you could use your Accountant's business address rather than your home one.

Certainly the company I use removed my home address.

Yes, for .uk (nominet) addresses individuals can 'opt out' of WHOIS - it will still show your name though. If you use a .com or .net etc. then you would have to pay for an anonymising service.

A lot of people reading this thread to work out their email options probably wouldn't be aware of any of this though...

You're right! Never noticed that before. It must be that GMail's SMTP server is communicating with its mailstore, which is unusual for SMTPs.

In reference to support.google.com/mail/answer/78892?hl=en:

If your client is sending mail through Gmail's SMTP server, your sent messages will be automatically copied to the [Gmail]/Sent Mail folder.

In reply to a post by b4dger:

Yes, for .uk (nominet) addresses individuals can 'opt out' of WHOIS - it will still show your name though.

The option is free when you register the domain name. If you change your mind later on, you have to pay and you have to contact Nominet directly. Your registrar cannot do it for you.

I guess registrars work differently...
I mostly use Freeola/GetDotted - you can 'opt out' of a WHOIS whenever you like not just when you register (for free).

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

You're right! Never noticed that before.

I only noticed when my phone, connected to G-Mail via, IMAP, was continually running out of memory!

(I would urge anyone using G-mail on their phone to enter the app and check all of the folders for redundant info.)

Edited by deleted (Sat 03-Jan-15 18:33:00)

I believe that only started relatively recently. There were many old SMTP sent GMails that were not on the server when I deleted today the recent ones I discovered. These had already been deleted from my mail client not long after they were sent but they remained on the server (they were tests).

In reply to a post by b4dger:

I guess registrars work differently...
I mostly use Freeola/GetDotted - you can 'opt out' of a WHOIS whenever you like not just when you register (for free).

The same is true for Nominet with .uk domains, you can opt out for free via the registrar post-registration.

I distinctly remember having to bung Nominet a few quid to hide my personal details. No matter. Maybe some registrars are happy to bear the cost themselves.

In reply to a post by micksharpe:

..a few quid to hide my personal details......

Why the paranoia?

In reply to a post by micksharpe:

I distinctly remember having to bung Nominet a few quid to hide my personal details. No matter. Maybe some registrars are happy to bear the cost themselves.

Perhaps your registrar was taking the money, because Nominet don't take any money for that. Whois opt-out is free for non-trading individuals, which does hide the postal address. The registrant's name however cannot be hidden.

http://www.nominet.org.uk/uk-domain-names/about-doma...

In reply to a post by Stevenage_Neil:

In reply to a post by micksharpe:

..a few quid to hide my personal details......

Why the paranoia?

I can't recall the circumstances or the domain name in question. It may have been for a charity where I was not the primary contact.

Oops! My mistake. It was for a charity and I had to cough up for Nominet to change the displayed address.

Edited by micksharpe (Sun 04-Jan-15 15:11:39)

I'm guessing you didn't mean to reply to me!?!

I don't think it's "paranoia" - it's more common sense...

If you have/use an email account that shows your full postal address there are many reasons why this isn't a good idea for people to use in all circumstances.