BigPond Email is Shutting Down…
Telstra has been phasing out Bigpond email accounts since May 2012 and finally advising users that their BigPond email will be shut down this year. Users would need to switch to their new Microsoft 365 accounts as a replacement for their current Bigpond accounts. Read more about what you would need to do.
BigPond: A Brief History
BigPond was launched in 1996 by Telstra, the former government-owned telecommunications monopoly in Australia. It was the first major internet service provider (ISP) in Australia, and quickly became the market leader. BigPond offered a range of internet services, including dial-up, cable internet, and ADSL. It also offered a number of value-added services, such as email, web hosting, and online storage.
BigPond was very successful in its early years, and helped to drive the growth of the internet in Australia. However, in recent years, BigPond has faced increasing competition from other ISPs, such as Optus and TPG. Telstra has also been moving away from the BigPond brand, and has rebranded some of its BigPond services.
Despite these challenges, BigPond remains a major player in the Australian internet market. It has over 2 million broadband subscribers, and offers a wide range of internet services and value-added products.
Here are some of the key milestones in the history of BigPond:
- 1996: BigPond is launched by Telstra.
- 1997: BigPond launches its high-speed cable internet service.
- 2004: BigPond launches its BigPond Movies and BigPond Music services.
- 2007: BigPond has over two million broadband subscribers.
- 2019: Telstra merges the BigPond brand with its Telstra Home brand.
BigPond Email is Shutting Down
BigPond Email Shutting Down
In May 2022, Telstra announced that it would be shutting down BigPond’s email. This decision was made in order to focus on Telstra’s core businesses, which include mobile, broadband, and enterprise services.
The transition from BigPond email to Microsoft 365 has caused significant troubles and downtimes for BigPond email users. Many users have reported problems accessing their email accounts, and some have lost their email data altogether.
What BigPond Email Users Can Do
For all the BigPond email users, you have a few options:
- You can switch to Microsoft 365. Telstra is offering a free Microsoft 365 license to all BigPond email users.
- You can switch to another email provider, such as Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook.com.
- You can contact Original PC Doctor for help setting up a new free email account.
If you choose to switch to Microsoft 365, you can follow these steps:
- Go to the Telstra website and sign in to your BigPond account.
- Click on the “Email” tab.
- Click on the “Switch to Microsoft 365” button.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to set up your Microsoft 365 account.
If you choose to switch to another email provider, you will need to create a new email account with that provider. Once you have created a new account, you can transfer your email data from your BigPond account to your new account.
Looking to set up a new alternative free email account, you can contact Original PC Doctor at 1300 723 628. We can help you choose an email provider and set up your new account.
In Conclusion
We understand that the transition from BigPond email to Microsoft 365 has been difficult for many users. We are here to help you make the transition as smooth as possible. Please contact us if you have any questions or need assistance on 1300 723 628.
Written by The Original PC Doctor on 5/11/2023.
I am finding the new Microsoft 365 account very confusing.I cannot find my confacts group lists. When I tried to send a group email bcc I couldn’t go back & check who I had sent to as I could previously.
Hi Lorraine, please contact the team on 1300 723 628, they can get one of our technicians to walk you through Microsoft 365 product.
If I transfer to a microsoft 365 will emails addressed to [email protected] go through to the new account and can I leave the address as above?
Hi Bev, as the article indicates, Bigpond Australia is in the process of terminating the email services. I would advise you to notify all your contacts of your new address and set up an auto-forwarding mail to your new account until it closes out.
I cannot find the “Switch to Microsoft 365” button.
Is it possible this is only for BigPond Business customers?
I have spent hours on the phone an chat for 2 months now and only had them confirm I had been migrated from the telstra.com domain to bigpond.com domain. There has been no mention or offer of Microsoft 365.
I have not received any advice or notification of this happening, email or snail mail.
First I knew of it was when I was trying to have a receipt sent to my telstra.com email and was not receiving it. Eventually said to person I was expecting to receive the receipt from that I would send them an email and to reply to it. Within a minute they advised that i had been providing the wrong email address as it was sent as bigpond.com domain.
I have had the telstra.com email address for over 20 years.
Dear Chris,
I understand that you’re having trouble finding the “Switch to Microsoft 365” button and are concerned about the migration from your telstra.com domain to bigpond.com domain. I’m sorry to hear that you haven’t received any clear communication about this process.
The “Switch to Microsoft 365” button is available to eligible BigPond customers who are currently using the older Telstra email service. This button allows you to seamlessly transition to the new Microsoft 365 email platform, which offers enhanced features and security.
Since you haven’t been able to locate the button yourself, I recommend contacting our technical support team. They can assist you in verifying your eligibility and guide you through the switching process. Our technicians are experienced in handling these transitions and can ensure a smooth migration for you.
To reach our technical support team, please call 1300 723 628 during our business hours. They will be happy to assist you and answer any further questions you may have.
In the meantime, you can continue using your existing telstra.com email address, but please be aware that this email service will be discontinued at some point in the future. Switching to Microsoft 365 will ensure that you have access to a reliable and up-to-date email platform for years to come.
I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, and I appreciate your understanding. We are committed to providing our customers with a seamless transition to Microsoft 365 and ensuring a positive experience.
Sincerely,
John Pititto
Managing Director
The Original PC Doctor
Me to. I am thoroughly confused and very angry about how Telstra have handled this whole email I am not getting many emails after being encrouraged to ger accounts, company accounts, Aust tax office memos qnd lots and lots more. These things are just sitting in limbo and I cannot reply to or action them. Thoroughly pinged off with the dreadful handling of these things, I know it is a ploy to have me migrate to another service provider which I will have to pay for.
Hello. How do I set up an auto-forwarding account. My Bigpond address is connected to Outlook giving me both options. Can I add a gmail address to Outlook when I delete the Bigpond email address?
Dear Colleen,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding auto-forwarding your Bigpond email account to a Gmail address. While it is possible to set up auto-forwarding directly within Outlook, we recommend contacting our technical support team for assistance. This is because the process can be slightly complex, and our technicians can provide step-by-step guidance to ensure that your email forwarding is configured correctly.
To contact our technical support team, please call 1300 723 628 and provide them with your account details. They will be able to guide you through the process of setting up auto-forwarding and answer any questions you may have.
In the meantime, here is a brief overview of the steps involved in setting up auto-forwarding in Outlook:
1. Open Outlook and click on the “File” tab.
2. Select “Info” from the left-hand menu.
3. Click on “Account Settings” and then “Account Settings” again.
4. Select your Bigpond email account and click on “Change”.
5. In the “Forwarding” tab, click on “Add a forwarding address”.
6. Enter your Gmail address in the box provided and click “OK”.
7. Click “Next” and then “Finish” to save your changes.
Please note that deleting your Bigpond email address will not automatically remove the auto-forwarding rule. You will need to follow the steps above to disable the rule manually.
We hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
John Pititto
Managing Director
very confusing for older people.
Dear Bob,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on the recent post about the closure of BigPond Email. Your comment provides valuable insight, and I appreciate your perspective.
I understand that the transition and changes related to email services can be confusing, particularly for older individuals who may not be as familiar with the technological aspects. The goal of the post was to inform and assist users during this transition, and I apologize if it added to any confusion.
If you have specific concerns or questions, please feel free to call my helpdesk team on 1300 723 628 ask, and they will do their best to provide clarification or assistance. Your feedback is important, and I want to ensure that the information provided is as helpful as possible.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts.
Best Regards,
John Pititto
Managing Director
The Original PC Doctor
I find this change unacceptable. Since 1997, I’ve had just 3 email addresses, the current bigpond one for over 15 years. I work freelance and have people around the world who contact me once every few years for work. How in the world can I tell them I have a new email because no one keeps the same computer with emails on. My username is highly specific to what I do and the chance of getting the same username is quite remote. I am ropeable about this as Telstra has not sent me on iota of notification to me via post, email or phone call. All I’m asking for is to keep my email address. It can’t be that hard.
Hi Jonathan,
I understand your frustration and completely agree that having to change your email address after 15 years is a major inconvenience. I also find it concerning that Telstra didn’t notify you about this change in advance.
In fact, I recently caught up with some Telstra executives myself, and they even admitted that the company is undergoing a significant restructuring and acknowledged that the process has been disorganized and chaotic.
To help ease the transition and minimize stress, I recommend setting up a group email account. This way, you can keep your current Bigpond email address active and forward all incoming messages to a new email address you create specifically for business purposes. This will allow you to continue using your original email address for personal contacts while gradually transitioning your professional network to the new one.
We can assist you in setting up this group email and new email address. Simply contact us on 1300 723 628 and our team will be happy to walk you through the process.
Remember, you’re not alone in this. Many people are facing the same challenge, and we’re here to help make the transition as smooth as possible.
Kind Regards,
John Pititto
The Original PC Doctor
im complety lost to complex for me thank it is depressing me thanks big pond can not do any thing dose not recken nise my phone how can i do any thing it has been months no computer crap feel like cutting my head off
Dear Mr Smith,
I’m truly sorry to hear about the challenges you’re facing with Telstra Bigpond, and I understand how frustrating it can be when technology becomes overwhelming. Please know that you’re not alone, and there are resources available to support you.
If the technical aspects are proving too complex, our technicians at The Original PC Doctor are more than willing to assist you in setting up an alternative email and guiding you through the process. We’re here to make things as easy as possible for you.
I also want to make you aware that if you’re experiencing difficulties with your service provider, you have the right to escalate the matter. You can lodge an official complaint with the Telecommunications Ombudsman, who is an independent and impartial authority for resolving telecom disputes.
Telecommunications Ombudsman:
Phone: 1800 062 058
Website: https://www.tio.com.au/
Additionally, if you’re feeling overwhelmed and need emotional support, various government services are available to assist you. You can reach out to:
Lifeline (24/7 Crisis Support):
Phone: 13 11 14
Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Beyond Blue (Mental Health Support):
Phone: 1300 22 4636
Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and there are professionals and organizations ready to assist you. If you require further assistance from our team or have questions about the above resources, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Wishing you the support and solutions you need,
John Pititto
Managing Director
The Original PC Doctor
Hi I am currently using gmail as my main account but still had access to my two bigpond accounts. Now I cannot access them. When I go to bigpond webmail it sends codes to my BIGPOND address that I cannot access. Can you please help?
Is there a cost for this service?
Hi Geoff,
I hope this message finds you well. I understand that you’re currently experiencing difficulty accessing your BigPond email accounts, and we would be happy to assist you with resolving this issue.
It seems that the verification codes are being sent to your BigPond address, which you are unable to access. To address this matter, I recommend reaching out to “The Original PC Doctor” at 1300 723 628. We specialize in providing technical support and may be able to help you regain access to your BigPond accounts.
Please give them a call at your earliest convenience and provide them with the details of your situation. They should be able to guide you through the necessary steps to recover your access.
If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out. Please note that any potential costs associated with the services provided by “The Original PC Doctor” would be determined by their policies, and it’s advisable to inquire about any fees during your call – we are not a free service and a privately owned organisation.
Wishing you a swift resolution to your email access issue, 1300 723 628.
Best regards,
John Pititto
Managing Director
The Original PC Doctor
After months of trying, unsuccessfully, to synchronise Outlook Calendar and Contacts, with Outlook on Android, I read that they cannot be synchronised for IMAP accounts. Will the new Bigpond addresses fix this?
Is there a child’s guide to making the change from Bigpond, and what will be the format of the new email address?
Hi John,
Thanks for reaching out! I understand your frustration with syncing Outlook Calendar and Contacts on Android with an IMAP account. Unfortunately, as you discovered, IMAP doesn’t support syncing Calendar and Contacts for most providers (including BigPond). This has been a longstanding limitation of the protocol.
The good news is that the new Bigpond addresses will fix this issue. When you transition to the new platform, you’ll have access to Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync (EAS), which seamlessly synchronizes Calendar and Contacts across devices, including Outlook on Android.
As for making the change, there isn’t a single “child’s guide” yet, but I can break it down into a few steps:
Wait for your invitation: BigPond will be contacting users in batches to transition to the new platform. You’ll receive an email with instructions when it’s your turn.
Choose your new address: You can keep your current BigPond username or choose a new one. The new format will be [email protected].
Follow the migration steps: The email will provide detailed instructions on how to activate your new account and migrate your data. It’s a simple process, but don’t hesitate to contact BigPond support if you need help.
In the meantime, I recommend using the web version of Outlook on your Android device to access your Calendar and Contacts. It’s not as convenient as syncing, but it’s a temporary workaround until you migrate to the new platform.
I hope this clarifies things! Feel free to ask if you have any other questions about the transition or syncing your email with Outlook.
The Original PC Doctor Team
I have a contact in UK with a bigpond email address.This week he posted an email to me which was delivered.When I tried to reply it was knocked back.It would appear he is not aware his email address no longer functions and has not been advised by Telstra. How do I make contact and why was his email delivered to me and not bounced back to him?
Subject: Re: Contact’s Bigpond email issue
Hi Jerry,
I understand your frustration with trying to reply to your contact in the UK. It’s odd that their email got through to you but bounces back when you reply. Let’s see what we can do to reach them and figure out what’s happening.
Here are a few possibilities for why the email didn’t bounce back immediately:
Delayed bounce: Bounces sometimes take a while to trigger, especially if the server is overloaded or experiencing technical issues. It’s possible your contact will receive a bounce notification soon.
Temporary issue: Occasionally, email servers encounter temporary glitches that disrupt delivery or bounce notifications. This might explain why the initial email went through but replies are failing.
Forwarding rule: There’s a chance your contact has a forwarding rule set up on their Bigpond account, directing emails to another address even if their account is inactive.
Here are some ways to try to reach your contact:
Phone: If you have your contact’s phone number, try calling them directly.
Social media: Search for your contact on social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. You might be able to send them a message there.
Mutual contacts: Do you know anyone else who is in contact with your UK friend? They might be able to reach them or know alternative contact information.
Telstra customer service: If all else fails, you can try contacting Telstra customer service directly. They might be able to provide more information about the status of your contact’s Bigpond account and offer alternative ways to reach them.
In the meantime, I suggest not replying to the bounced email address, as it could create a loop of bounced messages and further complicate the situation.
I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or need further assistance.
Best regards,
John Pititto
Managing Director
The Original PC Doctor
Have had Telstra and bigpond since 1994. When selecting outlook Microsoft 365 appears so does this mean I have already moved to this and need do no more and my email address remains as dworner@bigpond.
As an older citizen any change is difficult
I am now getting zero emails in my businesses bigpond account. Has this come in already that bigpond is totally gone? Is there any way to retrieve the missing emails?
Dear Wendy,
I hope this message finds you well. Thank you for reaching out to us regarding the issue with your BigPond email account. We understand the importance of your emails, and we apologize for any inconvenience you may be experiencing.
To better assist you, we recommend contacting our dedicated support team at 1300 723 628. Our skilled professionals will be able to investigate the status of your BigPond account and provide guidance on retrieving any missing emails.
Please be assured that BigPond services are still operational, and there might be a technical issue that is causing the interruption. Our support team will work diligently to identify and resolve the issue promptly.
For a quicker resolution, it would be helpful to have the following information ready when you call:
Your BigPond email address.
Any error messages or details about when the issue started.
Information about any recent changes or updates to your email settings.
Our support team is available to assist you during our business hours. If you are unable to reach us by phone, you may also consider reaching out to our support via email at [email protected].
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to resolve this matter for you. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Best regards,
John Pititto
Managing Director
The Original PC Doctor
When will Telstra officially contact us regarding these changes ?
Dear Jim,
Thank you for your comment. We understand your concern about the timing of Telstra’s official communication regarding the BigPond email shutdown.
As mentioned in the blog post, Telstra is still finalizing the details of the transition plan and will be contacting affected customers directly in the coming months. In the meantime, we encourage you to visit the BigPond website or contact Telstra customer service for more information.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. We are committed to providing our customers with the support they need to make a smooth transition to their new email service.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help!
Sincerely,
The Original PC Doctors Team
My email has just stopped coming in.
I did not know Bigpond had gone over to Microsoft.
Are PC Doctors managing the migration….
who do I get to help me with this?
Hi Gail,
Thanks for reaching out about your Bigpond email not coming in. We understand how frustrating this can be, and we’re here to help!
You’re right, Bigpond email services recently transitioned to Microsoft. Don’t worry, though – your email address and existing messages are still safe and secure!
If you’re experiencing difficulty receiving emails, there are a few things we can try to get you back up and running:
1. Check your internet connection:
Make sure you have a stable internet connection. Try restarting your modem and router, and check if other devices online are working.
2. Update your email settings:
If you’re using an email client like Outlook or Thunderbird, update your settings to reflect the new Microsoft servers. You can find detailed instructions on the Bigpond website.
3. Check your junk mail folder:
Sometimes, emails can get misdirected to your spam folder. Check your junk mail folder just in case, and be sure to whitelist any important contacts who might be sending you emails.
4. Need Assistance? We’re Here!
If you’re still having trouble after trying these steps, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1300 723 628. Our friendly and knowledgeable technical support team is available to assist you with any email issues.
We’re also happy to walk you through the migration process to the new Microsoft platform – we’re here to answer any questions or concerns you might have.
hi ..
i was using windows for years and had outlook ..
then i went over to a mac and exported the outlook file .. it was a pst for windows and i had converted it olm for the mac ..
i’m using pop servers btw ..
at one point i was having a problem with something i cant remember and the expert i was talking to said to convert my email from pop to IMAP and it would fix the problem .. i googled it while we were talking and found out i would have lost all my folders and maybe more ..
i’m using microsoft outlook vs16.8 on the mac ..
anyway .. i’m freaking out that at the moment as i’ve given the option to use the new outlook and if i try it out all my folders disappear because they were imported .. i can use the legacy outlook but that mightnt continue .. at the moment i can go back to legacy outlook when i’ve tried the new one ..
anyway .. the most important thing i want to know is .. is there any way i can export everything i have in outlook to another provider .. and keep all the folders i have .. i could have over a hundred folders ..
thanks in advance ..
its a bit complicated and i might have forgotten something .. hopefully this all makes sense ..
Absolutely, we can help you with transitioning your email from Microsoft Outlook on Mac to another provider while keeping all your folders and data safe! Don’t worry, your situation makes perfect sense, and we understand the stress of navigating these technical changes.
We recommend calling us at 1300 723 628 to speak with one of our friendly and experienced technical advisors. They can walk you through the specific steps for exporting your data, taking into account your POP setup, converted PST and OLM files, and desired new provider. They can also answer any questions you have about the new Outlook and ensuring your precious folders remain intact.
Here’s a quick overview of what we can help you with:
Exporting your data: We’ll guide you through exporting your emails, contacts, calendars, and folders from Outlook to a file format compatible with your chosen new provider.
Choosing a new provider: We can help you compare different email providers based on your needs and preferences, ensuring they support POP or IMAP as needed.
Setting up your new account: We’ll assist you with importing your exported data into your new email account and configuring it to work seamlessly with your existing folders.
Troubleshooting any issues: If you encounter any challenges along the way, our advisors are here to offer support and solutions.
Remember, transitioning email providers can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Our team is here to make the process smooth and stress-free for you. Give us a call at 1300 723 628, and let’s work together to secure your valuable email data and folders in your new email haven.
We look forward to helping you out!
thanks so much i will phone ..
also do you know how long before bigpond totally closes down access to emails etc ..
hi .. i shared this page to myself so i could find it again .. but the “29 thoughts on bigpond email shutting down” doesnt show on my phone .. only on my mac laptop ..
i will be getting in touch soon to sort out creating a new email account etc .. 🙂
so frustrating my email account has not received any emails for a couple of days now , i have not been notified by telstra of this transition , why not ? i have emails from air b&B i cannot access for a upcoming holiday. also iam a volunteer rural fire fighter and rely on my emails for communication
If I swap to Microsoft, what ending will my email account have?. Will it still be @bigpond.net or @outlook.com or something else?
I want to be able to access my email and currently I have had no incoming emails for three days. I have a gmail account, Which I could use instead of the big pond account. However I do not know how to do the transfer.
Kind regards.