Possible loss of email if broadband and landline cancelled

[#1]

My elderly father uses PlusNet for broadband and landline services, but his broadband is shockingly slow (2Mbps down, 0.8Mbps up). PlusNet does not offer fibre options for his address.

A rural provider now offers FTTP for his address, and can also include landline services. However, he also relies on PlusNet for access to his email, which uses an old totalise.co.uk address.

Is there a way for him to move broadband and landline away from PlusNet, while retaining the email hosting? Paying for it isn't an issue. I'm well aware he could move to a new email provider, but at 88 he doesn't want to deal with a new email address.

If relevant, the email seems to be on some kind of secondary account - if he logs in to PlusNet webmail using his main credentials (ie the ones he uses to see his PlusNet bills) it's essentially an empty mailbox, but he has other credentials (with a totalise.co.uk suffix) which allow PlusNet webmail access but cannot be used to log in to the main PlusNet account management portal.

Any help gratefully received...

[#2]

Hi @philgrigson 

Possibly your father is one of the "more fortunate" users in this paradigm.

If the email service is associated with the Plusnet brand broadband account, then most certainly the email hosting will be lost should the account be closed.

However, this sounds like a legacy Brightview brand email (only) account of long past retained from a time when Plusnet switched the provision of the broadband connection services to Plusnet's own brand ... whilst retaining the existing brand's email service.

That being the case, I'd be confident that ceasing the existing Plusnet brand broadband service will not also cease this legacy brand email service.  It would though be wise to seek affirmation ... @JordanTA ... does this fall into your purview?

[#3]

@philgrigson 

I'm afraid the only way to keep PN email nowadays is to stay with PN.

However, as the Alternative supplier would install a completely new fibre cable to the property he could have two accounts,

You should be aware that the landline service is being withdrawn by PN - quite possibily before the end of the year.

Brian

[#4]

@philgrigson 

Based on what @Townman  posted this may the the answer to your father's email problem.

As regards the phone line going if he stays with PN he can transfer it to an independant VOIP provider while remaining with PN for internet.

If he were to get two suppliers he could also transfer the phone to Alternative supplier.

Note in both cases he would need to take action first with regards to his PN internet service before transferring the phone. Doing other wise would lead to the cancellation of his PN account.

Also, VOIP doesn't work in power cuts.

Brian

[#5]

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@bmc wrote:

@philgrigson 

I'm afraid the only way to keep PN email nowadays is to stay with PN.

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Brian,

If it is a legacy brand email account, I would not be so confident about that.  As things stand the legacy email services are quite distinct from the broadband supply account.  It would be much like those who at sometime past converted their Plusnet accounts to email only.  AIUI they remain forever ... but I have sought affirmation elsewhere.

There is a sizable raft of legacy brand email services, provided independently of the F9/Plusnet mail platform.

[#6]

@philgrigson Hi there, if you private message me your fathers email address, i will have a quick look to see if its under a mail only account. If it is under a mail only account, your father switching providers wont affect his email address. 

However if his email address is linked to his broadband account, when he switches provider I'm afraid the email address will be lost. 

[#7]

Have since read much about the country-wide PSTN shutdown - wasn't aware of it as I don't live in the UK. I'm guessing PlusNet won't shutdown his service until an equivalent fibre service is available (presumably put in my OpenReach?), but I'm equally guessing that could be a long way off as his address isn't even on the OpenReach plans. If we knew what the timetable was to get better broadband we could potentially wait, but if it's undefined then that's probably not an option.

@Windings  I'll hit you up with some account details to get more facts. Thanks for the offer to help.

[#8]

Be clear in your mind that Plusnet will not be offering voice services going forwards.

Voice becomes VoIP services, which Plusnet does not supply. They can arrange for the whole service (except email) to transfer to RE or when the time comes, you can keep the broadband connection with Plusnet and transfer the number to and of the many VoIP providers.

One consideration of VoIP is the rich opportunities to manage calls … such as call diversion on mo answer … which if your father is vulnerable and you are overseas … you might find useful.