I have retained a Paradise dial-up account to keep my paradise.net.nz email address and I know others have done the same.  TelstraClear advised me 2 days ago that "From 6 April 2011  we will be shutting down the Paradise Dial Up internet service you use.".  This is short notice when we consider the implications of the use of email addresses.

They went on to say "To continue to receive internet services from TelstraClear you will need to transfer your phone line and calling to TelstraClear and set up a new Clearnet account before 6 April 2011".  And if you move they will retain the email address: "Plus, when you shift to Clearnet, we will automatically forward any emails sent to your @paradise.net.nz email address to your new @clear.net.nz address – so you won’t miss out on any important emails."

I sought clarification whether I had any options to retain the address without changing over my home phone line and got this reply: "To retain your Paradise email address you must bring your services over to TelstraClear. This would involve having your line rental and either a broadband or dialup plan."

This is a major issue for me.  I don't mind paying for a dial-up service without even using any phone time but moving phone service providers is a different story.  Are there others affected and what options have you managed to uncover? Is 6 weeks notice of termination of such a fundamental service reasonable?

Here's hoping for a viable option.