One of the UK’s leading broadband providers, TalkTalk, is making a major change to its services that could leave many former customers out of pocket. The company recently announced it will be discontinuing free email services for users who are no longer subscribed to its broadband packages. This change could cost affected users as much as £50 per year, or £5 per month, if they wish to retain access to their email accounts.
Why TalkTalk is Making the Change
TalkTalk has transitioned its email services to a new provider, Everymail, citing the need for continued investments in infrastructure, security, and innovation. The service explained on its FAQ page: “We’ve continued to provide your TalkTalk email service free of charge for some time. However, as you’re no longer a TalkTalk broadband customer, we’re unfortunately unable to continue offering it at no cost.”
Who is Affected?
The change impacts former TalkTalk customers who have email addresses ending in @talktalk.net, @lineone.net, @tiscali.co.uk, @tinyworld.co.uk, or @pipex.com. If you fall into this category, you should have received an email outlining your options. Notably, existing broadband customers with TalkTalk will not be affected and can continue using their email services for free.
What Are Your Options?
Affected users have three main options:
- Pay for Continued Access: For £50 per year or £5 per month, you can retain access to your TalkTalk email account through a subscription to Everymail.
- Download and Transfer Your Data: If you choose not to subscribe, you’ll need to act quickly. You must download all your emails and associated data and transfer it to a new email provider before the hard deadline of 31 October. Failure to do so will result in the permanent deletion of your account and data.
- Switch to a Different Email Provider: Many reliable alternatives, such as Gmail or Outlook, offer robust email services with advanced features.
Important Deadlines to Keep in Mind
Here are the key dates you need to remember:
- 28 July: If you hadn’t yet subscribed by this date, you could still access your emails, but the ability to send emails was removed.
- 8 September: From this date, you will no longer be able to access your emails or send messages unless you subscribe.
- 31 October: This is the final deadline to save your data or subscribe. After this date, all unsubscribed email accounts will be permanently closed, alongside any data they contain. TalkTalk has confirmed this action is irreversible.
Our Recommendation
If you’re affected by this change, it’s crucial to act now to avoid losing access to important information or contacts. Consider investing in a reliable email service for peace of mind. Popular options like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 offer professional email management and additional productivity tools.
For users who prioritize privacy and security, we recommend ProtonMail, a secure email service with end-to-end encryption and no ads.
Don’t wait until the last moment—secure your email data today and transition to a more sustainable solution!