"Problem Turning On Mail" Can’t create iCloud email

I’m raising this again because the problem still exists and I can find no way to create an iCloud account or turn on iCloud mail using Mac or iPhone. My current Apple ID is not an @icloud.com address nor have I never previously tried to creat one.

"Problem Turning On Mail" when creating an email address for iCloud Mail with an iPhone

As per the Apple iCloud User Guide, "Create an email address for iCloud Mail" article, I turned on "Mail" in "Settings" and followed the instructions. I was able to identify an email address that is not already taken and proceed through the steps. However, when I press "Done" at the "Confirm Email" step it produces a dialog with the following:

"Problem Turning On Mail

There was a problem turning on your email, try again

OK"