How do I get e-mail on my phone?

2006/05/26 10:12:02

I've noticed that on my Motorola Razr V3 there's an option to send and receive e-mails, but I'm not sure how to go about setting it up. Do you have any advice on how I can do this?

-- Submitted by: Louise Ambridge, via e-mail

Answer by:
Andrew Lim, CNET.co.uk

Trying to set up e-mail on a mobile phone can be very confusing and, at times, extremely frustrating. It's not completely impossible though, and with a little time and effort you'll soon be sending and receiving e-mails as easily as you would a text message.

In order to begin this process you need to make sure your Motorola RAZR V3 has the correct operator settings to access a GSM or GPRS connection. The way it works is that your phone accesses your e-mail account via a GSM or GPRS connection and the built-in e-mail client. The e-mail client is a program that lets you read and send e-mails, but in order to use it you need to sort out your operator and e-mail account settings first.

You can get your operator settings from your network operator (see links below). There is also the option on some phones to 'get settings' via the applications or extras section in the menu. Once you select this option it will automatically download the right operator setting straight to your phone.

Motorola RAZR V3

Next you need to input you e-mail account's POP3 or IMAP4 settings. You can call your Internet service provider (ISP) or look in the Help section of you Web-based e-mail accound for the correct settings.

If you want to access your own e-mail account, like a Google Mail or Yahoo Mail account, you need to find out if you have POP3 or IMAP4 access, which basically lets you access e-mails from a mobile phone. Some e-mail providers make you pay to use this service and some don't. Overall, we found it easiest to use an e-mail account provided by an ISP.

You can also access some e-mail accounts via WAP as you would on a computer, by going to your e-mail Web site using your phone's Web browser and putting your username and password in.

Motorola support pages
Telstra contact page
Optus contact page
Vodafone contact page

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