How to Keep Your Email When Switching Internet Providers
If you’ve been putting off switching internet providers because you’re worried about losing your email address — you’re not alone. Many Australians are still using provider-based email addresses like @bigpond.com, @optusnet.com.au, or @iinet.net.au. But here’s the good news: in most cases, you can keep your email address even after switching providers — and still save money.
Let’s break it down.
If You Use Gmail, Outlook or Another Third-Party Email
If your email ends in @gmail.com, @outlook.com, @icloud.com or similar, then great news — you’re free to switch internet providers without worrying at all. Your email is not tied to your internet service, so you can change plans or companies anytime without it affecting your inbox.
If You Use an Email Provided by Your Internet Company
If you’ve been using an email like @bigpond.com or @optusnet.com.au, it gets a little more complicated. These emails are typically tied to your internet account, meaning if you cancel the service, you could lose access.
But many providers now allow you to keep the email for a small annual fee — so you can still move to a cheaper internet plan without disruption.
Here’s how it works:
Telstra (Bigpond): You can keep your Bigpond email for free for 12 months after cancelling your Telstra service. After that, it’s $79 per year to maintain it. Make sure to contact Telstra via phone or live chat BEFORE canceling your service to keep the email address active.
Optus & Others: Many others allow you to retain your email by contacting customer support and setting up a paid "email only" account.
Even with this fee, switching to a better internet deal usually saves you far more. For example, if you're paying $90/month now and switch to a $60/month plan, you’ll save $360 a year. After subtracting the $79 email fee, you’re still up $281 — with no change to your email address.
A Real Example
Take Maria from Fremantle as an example. She’d been paying $109 a month for her internet and Bigpond email bundle. At Churna, we contacted Telstra on her behalf, arranged for her to keep her Bigpond email for a small $79 yearly fee, and switched her to a new internet plan at just $55 per month. Even after paying the yearly email fee, Maria is now saving $569 every year — while keeping the email address she’s relied on for years.
Or Greg from Landsdale, he had five different email addresses tied to their provider account. In their case, the provider was going to charge $6.95 a month for each email address if they left. It made more sense to negotiate directly with the provider to keep their service bundle rather than switching right away. But in the majority of cases, paying the small annual fee and moving to a cheaper internet plan is by far the better option.
In Summary
Use Gmail/Outlook? No worries — switch freely.
Use Bigpond/Optus/etc? Contact your provider and request an email-only account.
Email fees are minor compared to the savings you’ll gain by switching providers.
At Churna, we make the whole process simple. After a free, no‑obligation bill review, our one‑time, No savings, no fee, charge is just 30% of your first year’s savings — meaning you keep 70% in year one and 100% every year after. With the average Churna client saving $755 a year, we can help you switch to a better deal, Keep your current email address and keep more money in your pocket.
