Telstra blocking outbound SMTP :-(
I was trying to set up my Palm Treo 600 with GMail this morning (some good instructions here, if you're interested). I found that POP worked just fine, but SMTP wouldn't work at all. So, I called Telstra to ask why.
The CSR told me that it wasn't that they were blocking port 465, but that there was a fundamental network incompatibility (?) that meant that their network wouldn't work with GMail. He suggested I use Telstra's SMTP server, which doesn't support SSL (in this day and age?). I didn't believe him, so I went hunting on Google, and discovered that Telstra does in fact block ports 25 and 465.
So, I have just sent an email to Telstra support complaining that:
- I wasn't told about the SMTP block when I signed up
- The CSR lied to me about it
- The SMTP server they want me to use doesn't suppport SSL
Apparently they'll be replying within two business days ... I'll post further details as they come to hand.
Telstra only blocks unencrypted SMTP ...
... if you turn on SSL and use ports 465 or 587, you're fine.
Unless of course you're using a Treo 600 (like I am) and connecting to GMail (again, like I'm trying to do). Then, you're out of luck, because apparently the palmOne Mailer that comes bundled with the Treo won't talk to the GMail servers.
So, I'm off to hunt for a good (and preferably, but not necessarily, free) email client for PalmOS. I'll report back if I find anything good ...