Uncarrier 10 initiatives launched by T-Mobile let many subscribers stream DVD-quality video from 24 online streaming services without using up the data in their LTE data buckets.
People using the Binge On service must have LTE data buckets of at least 3GB.
In other Uncarrier initiatives, the carrier also doubled the amount of LTE data that Simple Choice-plan subscribers can get from existing plans at no extra charge. An unlimited LTE plan continues, but now, 14GB of that LTE data can be used for mobile hot spot service, up from 7GB.
The first 24 services participating in BingeOn are Crackle, Encore, ESPN, Fox Sports, Fox Sports Go, HBO Now, HBO Go, Hulu, MLB, Movieplex, NBC Sports, Netflix, Sling TV, Sling Box, Showtime, Starz, T-Mobile TV, Univision Deportes, Ustream, Vessel, Vevo, Vudu and Verizon’s Go90 and AT&T’s DirecTV streaming services.
The 24 services included in Binge On will be expanded as more services meet T-Mobile’s technical criteria, the company said.
CEO John Legere contended that BingeOn does not violate the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality regulations because service providers aren’t charged to participate, nor are consumers charged more to access the Binge On service providers. In addition, consumers can turn off Binge On, which also improves the resolution of the video streams and would allow for high resolution on connected TVs.
For Binge On streaming, the carrier is making use of proprietary technology that makes video streaming more bandwidth-efficient by reducing “wasted overhead.” The technology also lets all subscribers fill their LTE data buckets with three times more video than before when streaming video services not yet included in Binge On.
Over time, Binge On streaming quality will improve beyond 480p with future network and codec improvements, the company said.
