Exchange Connection Problems

How to Configure Telstra BigPond SMTP in Outlook to Fix Errors

Algirdas Jasaitis Sep 28, 2026 873 views

Question details

Users need to correctly configure Telstra BigPond SMTP settings in Microsoft Outlook to prevent the account from being rejected during setup.

How to Configure Telstra BigPond SMTP Settings in Outlook

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up or fixing a Telstra BigPond email account connection in Microsoft Outlook.
Observed behavior: Outlook rejects the Telstra BigPond account with a name-matching error due to using the modern setup screen incorrectly or having a misconfigured existing mail profile.

Before you start

Ensure you have your correct Telstra BigPond email address, account password, and the latest incoming and outgoing (SMTP) server details provided by Telstra before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Add the BigPond Account via the Control Panel Mail Applet

Using the classic Control Panel Mail applet bypasses Outlook's modern setup wizard, avoiding common automatic configuration and name-matching errors.

The modern Outlook setup screen can sometimes misinterpret BigPond connection settings as Exchange parameters. Falling back to the classic configuration tool forces Outlook to accept standard IMAP/POP and SMTP credentials.

Open the Mail Applet

Click the Windows Start menu, type 'Control Panel', and open it. Change the 'View by' setting in the top right to 'Large icons', then click on the 'Mail (Microsoft Outlook)' applet.

Access Email Accounts

In the Mail Setup window that appears, click the 'Email Accounts...' button. Ensure you are on the 'Email' tab and click the 'New' button.

Enter BigPond Settings

Select 'Manual setup or additional server types' and click 'Next'. Choose 'POP or IMAP' and manually enter your BigPond email address, password, incoming server, and outgoing SMTP settings supplied by Telstra, then complete the setup wizard.

Add the BigPond Account via the Control Panel Mail Applet

Tip for SMTP Settings: Remember to check 'My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication' in the More Settings > Outgoing Server tab to ensure your emails send successfully.

Solution 2

Create a New Outlook Profile

If the name-matching error persists after manual setup, your current Outlook profile might be corrupted. Creating a fresh profile can resolve underlying misconfigurations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the standard SMTP settings for Telstra BigPond?

For Telstra BigPond, the standard outgoing SMTP server is typically smtp.telstra.com. You will generally need to use port 465 with SSL/TLS encryption enabled, and your outgoing server must be set to require authentication.

Why does Outlook throw a name-matching error for BigPond accounts?

This error frequently occurs when Outlook's modern Autodiscover feature misinterprets the provider and attempts to automatically detect Exchange settings instead of standard POP/IMAP settings. Bypassing the modern setup screen using the Control Panel typically resolves this.

Will creating a new Outlook profile delete my old emails?

No. Creating a new Outlook profile only creates a new configuration to connect to the mail server. Your existing emails remain safely stored on your provider's server or within your original Outlook data file (.pst or .ost).

Outlook & Email Problems