Other options include IMAP solutions where you can use an entirely web based solution for your mail. That would cut out your local ISP's servers altogether.

BDW if you read this, have you tried IMAP?

Your email doesn't have to be tied to your ISP, regardless of whether you use IMAP or POP. You can certainly access a POP server that isn't at your ISP.

As far as SENDING mail, some ISPs will block access to any SMTP port other than their own. This can be fixed by using an alternative SMTP port on the server. Better still, encrypt the connection using SSL. This is an option with most servers.

I use a commercial email service. I use encrypted SSL connections for both outbound (SMTP) and inbound (POP) access.