Email via wifi without service connection iPhone

I have just got an I phone 4.
I am waiting for my number to be switched over to my new service provider, but I am trying to set up my phone so it is ready to go.
I have set up my home wifi and that works. Can connect to Internet, have entered e-mail settings(ntlworld), but I can not get any e-mails. I have I pad so I followed that settings.
So I am thinking that I should be able to recieve e-mail through my wifi settings, without service provider.
Any help would be appricated
dell