Can I keep my existing email address

Depends a lot on your ISP. I've still got an o2 address and I left them about 5/6 years ago but I certainly wouldn't rely on it.

Maybe it's time to open a generic email account?

I set up my own domain via 1and1.co.uk which is completely independent of ISP. It gives you 5 email addresses plus aliases. I suggest you have a look.

In the case of your ISP, you will be able to send and receive emails using that address for up to 12 months after you leave them, but you will not be able to manage the address - i.e. change the password. You'll have no access to account management tools.

Many ISPs will let you keep an e-mail Address, but for a small(ish) annual Fee!

With BT it's only 60 days unless you take up their premium email at £7.50 per month!

Thanks for your replies. I don't mind getting a new address and informing people that I know. What concerns me is the likes of banks, sites I buy stuff from, betfair and anywhere really that requires my address a part of its sign in process. For example what would be the situation on this site if I changed my address, would I have to re-register with a different name (not such a bad idea considering my current one :-) )

You just change it on your personal profile.

I just switched to Gmail when Virgin bought Telewest out and my Blueyonder addresses had to go. It's much easier to manage multiple addresses on the google platform than Virgin.

One of my addresses that I use for online purchasing and is liable to get over run with unwanted promotional mail currently has over 25,000 unread messages... all unwanted promotional crap I presume!

Quickbeam, I was with Telewest after Birmingham cable, now Virgin & I still have 2 Blueyonder email accounts active, they are the only ones I have! No need to loose them for me. Personally I find Virgin very easý to deal with.

I did drop out of Virgin for a year or so. The advantage of Gmail or similar is that I don't have to change them according to my BB provider.