BT Internet and pop3/smtp blocking?

PARUK · 21 Sep 2006 at 15:04

Anybody know if BT Internet has taken to blocking pop3 on an external server?

I know they like to mess with smtp, but I've now got a customer who can't receive mail via pop3 from an external server.

He should be able to ping his mailserver but can't, even with his software firewall temporarily disabled. In all other respects his internet connection is fully functional, and he can send and receive mail via his BT Internet mail account of course.

Avalon · 21 Sep 2006 at 19:51

Try and telnet to the mail server and see what's going on ? I know (now) that AOL block smtp on port 25 so find out if your host offers a non standard smtp port ?

Immsy · 21 Sep 2006 at 19:56

Its working fine for me on bt internet. Im getting my mail from my own external pop3 as well as mail.btinternet.com

PARUK · 21 Sep 2006 at 23:19

Thanks Avalon & Immulsifier for your replies.

After several long and frustrating phone sessions, the customer actually got BT to sort it. It was only when he confronted them with the inconsistent ping behaviour (could ping everything else to do with the domain, just not the mailserver) that they decided to "own" the problem. I don't what they did - the customer said he felt they were throwing up a smokescreen - but both the ping and the email are now working.

Given that this was a recent signup to BT broadband it may be that they're doing something to new accounts that puts an extra layer of hassle in place. Who knows. But thanks BT for another bit of reflected hassle I could have done without!