A bunch of internet plans come with email addresses for you to access, but should you actually use them? Are there any benefits, and can you keep using them if you change provider?
Let's take a look at what you need to know about webmail, and if you should use it.
- What is webmail?
- Should I use my webmail?
- Can I keep my webmail if I change provider?
- The fine print
- How to set up an email redirect
- How to set up webmail on iPhone or Android
What is webmail?
Webmail is an email service that you can access using a web browser as opposed to one that requires a specific application. Technically speaking the most popular email services such as Gmail and Hotmail are webmail hosts, but chances are that if you Googled webmail you’re wondering about something else.
Many internet service provider plans come with a free email address, usually with the provider’s name somewhere in the address. Most of these are hosted by a webmail server so you’ll see the word webmail within the URL.
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#1
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Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®
Editor's Pick
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$57.99/mth
Min. cost $57.99
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#2
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iiNet
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn50 Liimitless
$69.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $79.99
Link not supplied
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#3
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Optus
All Fixed Line nbn®
Optus Everyday nbn®
$82/mth
Min. cost $82
Link not supplied
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#4
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iPrimus
All Fixed Line nbn®
Standard Plus Plan
$90/mth
Min. cost $90
Link not supplied
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Should I use my webmail?
These bundled email addresses can be promoted as extras, or perks that come with your plan, but don’t feel compelled to use them if you already have a preferred email. There are no real benefits to picking your telco’s webmail over any other service, but there are some pitfalls.
Webmail hosted by Vocus Communications, such as iPrimus and Dodo can sometimes delete all emails older than 90 days old. You won’t get any warning or any say in the matter. These email addresses also tend to have smaller storage limits than other providers, and if your inbox is full you may be unable to send or receive any new emails. It’s got real early 2000s phone vibes to it.
While it’s true that some services require you to pay for an email address most email hosting services these days don’t charge a thing. Even though we love free stuff, if you’re looking to save money on your email address, there are plenty of other options that you can commit to for life - rather than having to change your email every time you change internet plan.
Can I keep my webmail if I change provider?
Since a big chunk of webmail addresses are connected to internet service providers, it is reasonable to wonder if you have the choice to keep your webmail if you switch ISPs. The short answer is, for some, yes you can but only for a limited time, for others, not at all.
How long you can maintain access to your webmail depends on the provider in question. Where Telstra allows you to access your dedicated email for up to 12 months after halting your service, Optus only continues access for 90 days. Even so, in order to do this, you may need to make a specific request with your telco - for example, Telstra will disable your email and delete all the stored data within 30 days if you don’t ask for extended access. That has the potential to be catastrophic.
Here is how long you can stay connected with each provider.
How long you can keep your webmail after changing provider
| Telstra | Up to 12 months upon request |
| Optus | Up to 90 days upon request |
| Bigpond | Now Telstra webmail |
| iiNet | Can arrange to keep mailboxes at a cost of $25 per year. Otherwise, it will be deleted immediately. |
| Westnet | Can arrange to keep mailboxes at a cost of $25 per year. Otherwise, it will be deleted immediately. |
| iPrimus | Will be deleted immediately. |
| Dodo | Will be deleted immediately. |
| Internode | Can arrange to keep mailboxes at a cost of $25 per year. Otherwise, it will be deleted immediately. |
As you can see, there is quite a varied approach to webmail across internet providers but the crux is that at some stage you will be booted from your account. If you do get to keep your account for a little bit after finishing up with a provider, we recommend setting up an email redirect during the transition. More about that at the bottom of this page.
The fine print
Webmail hosted by your ISP comes with some interesting fine print, and unfortunately, they’re not all the same. Before you commit to an @Telstra or @iiNet email address, you should know what you’re getting yourself in for. Below we have detailed some of the important fine print you should know about your telco’s webmail service.
Telstra & Bigpond webmail: Important fine print
Telstra webmail and Bigpond webmail are now the same thing. The below fine print applies to both.
| How long you can keep your email | Yes - for 12 months upon request |
| Inbox storage | 10GB |
| Email-only service available | Yes - for 12 months after cancellation |
| Other | Telstra Mail does not support automatic synchronisation of data of tasks and notes across mobile devices - your emails, contacts and calendar however will sync between different webmail access points. |
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Telstra
All Fixed Line nbn®
Basic Internet Only Plan
$89/mth
Min. cost $44.50
Link not supplied
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Optus webmail: Important fine print
| How long you can keep your email | Yes - for 90 days upon request |
| Inbox storage | 500MB |
| Email-only service available | Yes - for 90 days after cancellation |
| Other | Optusnet email addresses can have aggressive Spam filtering. If your email is blocked you will need to contact support and launch an inquiry in order to get your email unblocked. |
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Optus
All Fixed Line nbn®
Optus Basic nbn®
$68/mth
Min. cost $68
Link not supplied
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iiNet webmail, Westnet webmail, Internode webmail: Important fine print
The above providers are part of the TPG Group. The details below apply to all webmail hosted by TPG group providers.
| How long you can keep your email | Indefinitely at a cost of $25 per inbox annually after leaving the provider |
| Inbox storage | 1GB |
| Email-only service available | Yes - available for $25 p/a |
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iiNet
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn25 Liimitless
$59.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $69.99
Link not supplied
|
iPrimus webmail, Dodo webmail: Important fine print
The above providers are part of Vocus Communications. The details below apply to all webmail hosted by Vocus providers.
| How long you can keep your email | Only as long as you’re connected |
| Inbox storage | 50MB |
| Email-only service available | No |
| Other | Emails older than 90 days old may be mass deleted at any time. |
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#1
|
Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn25 Unlimited Plan
$43.99/mth
Min. cost $43.99
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|
#2
|
Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®
Editor's Pick
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$57.99/mth
Min. cost $57.99
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#3
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Dodo
FTTP, HFC
Editor's Pick
nbn500 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
Min. cost $62.99
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#4
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Dodo
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Editor's Pick
nbn100 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
Min. cost $62.99
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|
#5
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Dodo
FTTP, HFC
nbn Home Superfast Plan
$69.99/mth
Min. cost $69.99
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#6
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Dodo
FTTP, HFC
nbn Home Ultrafast Plan
$79.99/mth
Min. cost $79.99
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#7
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iPrimus
All Fixed Line nbn®
Standard Plus Plan
$90/mth
Min. cost $90
Link not supplied
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How to set up an email redirect
Not every webmail service will have the same steps to setting up a mail redirect, but no matter which one you're using the process is simple.
You'll simply need to go to Settings in your email and look for the Forwarding section. Within this, you will be able to set up an automatic system that forwards emails from your current account to a new one. In some cases, such as with Gmail you'll be able to filter these forwards even further, which can help you cut down on the junk that you're recieving to your new email address as well.
How to set up webmail on your iPhone or Android
Setting up your webmail on your phone isn’t that tricky, all you really need to do is download an app, log in, and change your default email application.
Depending on which phone, and which provider you are with these steps may look a bit different. Each provider offering webmail has comprehensive set-up details available on their corresponding websites - Telstra even offers a full list of devices and instructions alongside them. Your best bet is to go to these specific pages.
However, we will give you a hand switching your default email application on iPhone and Android.
Switch default email application on Android
- Open Settings
- Scroll to App Management
- Go to Default apps and locate the email tab
- When in Email select the app that you want to be your new default
Switch default email applications on iPhone
- Open Settings
- Scroll down and locate the email app that you want to use
- Tap the icon and tap Default Mail App
- Select the app that you want to use.
Anula Wiwatowska
Offsite Editorial Lead | Instagram
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