How do I use my Windows Mobile 5, Direct Push Email functionality? For Personal use?

[swma76]

I understand that a BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) needs to have a blackberry service that allows for push email. On T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) you can get this blackberry plan service for a monthly fee and I can set things up on the T-Mobile website..

But when it comes to using a Windows Mobile device Version 5 and above. How do I use the Direct Push? I heard you need a MS exchange server? But I don't have that. But I would like to use the direct push for personal reasons like have gmail or yahoo forwards emails to my windows mobile phone.

Do I need to pay someone to get access to a MS Exchange Server? whilst I have a data plan? I'm just confused on how I can set up direct push email for my MS Mobile Phone where I don't have access to a MS Exchange server. I'm confused.

Else I can just use a data plan and just have the phone poll every hour (pull) for the emails. I'm confused, I don't know where the connection is to get email from a exchange server. Is there a consumer exchange service?!?!? I'm blank! clueless.