Best way forward now no longer on Broadband

[lifeandsoul]

I recently moved from BT (after 35 years) to Sky.   My wife and I have BT email addresses and would like to keep using them. 

My understanding is that I have to sign up for BT Premium as I have effectively left BT.    Both of us access our emails using the email.bt.com web address.  I don't have any need to add anymore BT email addresses and probably over time we are going to migrate to a Hotmail account or possibly something with Sky.  In the meantime, we have quite a few people who have our BT email address as our contact.  

I, therefore, reckon that BT Basic is all we need.  I was told that we cannot have BT Basic on a chat with BT, but I think all we have to do is sign up up for BT Premium, leave it a little while and then downgrade to Basic.   Does this forum agree? 

Equally, I assume Basic will fit my needs.  In other words access to emails, ability to create and send emails.  The only real difference being with Premium you can access via an app (which we don't do) and adding a new BT email address (which we don't need).  Sorry for the long post, but I know its important to provide the details.  Many thanks in advance. 

[imjolly]

if you have left BT then your email address should default to Basic if you do nothing and as long as you are happy only getting access using web mail that you are ok no need for premium mail

[barnpiece]

Go to: BT Email products | BT Help and click on the Basic Email entry.

This is what it says:

"If you're leaving BT Broadband and want to get Basic email, you need to order it when cancelling your broadband. You can't make a direct switch later.

If you do decide later that you want Basic email, you'll need to get Premium email and then downgrade."

Moving to an email system such as Gmail or Outlook.com (hotmail) is a good idea as that allows moving broadband provider without having to change email address. As well as informing your contacts, you also need to change the email you registered with organisation such as bank and utilities.

Richard

[licquorice]

Hmm, that would appear to be a change in how it worked previously, customers were automatically downgraded to Basic mail upon leaving BT.

I have asked the mods for clarification.

[lifeandsoul]

Probably going over old ground here, but I don't know why they don't just offer Basic at say £10/year.  Premium at £7.5 a month just reeks of revenge and will almost certainly mean I would never return to BT.   I just recently returned to an old Gas & Electric supplier.  When I left it was all straight forward and now they can offer me what I want I had no hesitation in rejoining.    Anyway, rant over - thanks for all your help.

[licquorice]

They offer Basic free, which is better than £10/yr !

Previously it was Premium or nothing.

[NeilO]

Hi Everyone, 

How do I get Basic email?

If you're eligible for Basic email:

• Log in to My BT> with your BT ID
• Click on Your products
• Scroll down and from the email link and select Manage
• Select the link to Downgrade your email
• You'll then be given two options. Select the link to Downgrade to Basic and place your order

You should get an email notification within 24 hours to confirm it's done, but during the move you'll still be able to log in and use the service as normal.

If you don't have a BT ID or you don't see an option to move to Basic email when you log in to My BT, you're not eligible.

I hope that helps?

Thanks
Neil

[PinkSquirrel]

"If you're leaving BT Broadband and want to get Basic email, you need to order it when cancelling your broadband."

This is indeed what the help says but it my experience not what actually happens. Anyone leaving BT should do their own checks but when we switched recently,

- the account holder had an email to say their email account would be deleted after 60 (I think) days 
-sub account holders had emails to say their email accounts had been unlinked from the main one and would be automatically downgraded to basic after 60 days
- the BT account itself showed all emails accounts would be downgraded

We expected the accounts to be downgraded in December but it hasn't happened yet. I imagine they will be at some point.

I do think the wording is confusing anyway. Maybe 'cancelling' is different from 'switching'? You don't need to contact BT at all if you just switch. I don't even think BT is allowed to completely delete email accounts any more as long as you still use them? BTs inability to give out clear and accurate information and bills was one of the things that finally drove us away after over 40 years. 

[imjolly]

@NeilO 

Just to clarify.  It was  the default when you left BT that if you did nothing then your email was downgraded to basic email.  From what you have posted you have now to select basic when you leave and if you do nothing then you lose your BT. Email address?

[licquorice]

@imjolly  Glad its not just me that is confused.