Had my own grievances with Hotmail and stopped using it altogether some time ago.
I've been using an Aussie email provider 3 years now, brilliant.
Unknown tho cos it's "quasi open source" and loved by techies.
Friend of mine uses their feature that allows you to download mail from MSN servers if you have Hotmail email add.
Their servers are all around the worls in TX USA, Aus, Norway and reliability is great. Never had a single spam email (they use SpamAssassin which does a wonderful work, also runs on my kit at home for my ISP mail and works perfectly).
I kissed Hotmai goodbye a long time ago now
Just my 2p worth
Cesco
edited cos I am not sure I can give a URL of email provider on PPRuNe