AT&T's Optional 'Stream Saver' Feature Will Throttle Streaming Video Starting in 2017

[MacRumors]

AT&T today announced a new "Stream Saver" feature, which it says is a "free and convenient" data-saving option that allows customers to watch more video by downgrading video quality.

Stream Saver mimics T-Mobile's Binge On option, automatically streaming video at "about 480p," or standard definition quality instead of high definition quality.

AT&T is making Stream Saver an optional feature, with customers able to turn it on and off at will using myAT&T or Premier for business customers. According to AT&T, Stream Saver can be toggled off at any time with no charge to AT&T customers. While it is available for most streaming video, AT&T says Stream Saver is not able to detect and optimize all video due to the way some content owners deliver video streams.

As an optional feature that isn't limited to specific content partners, Stream Saver does not seem to raise the same questions about net neutrality that have caused T-Mobile's Binge On feature to be scrutinized by the FCC.

Through Binge On, T-Mobile offers free video streaming at 480p when customers watch content from select partners. T-Mobile has dozens of audio and video partners, including YouTube, Amazon Video, Netflix, Sling TV, VUDU, HBO NOW, Showtime, Hulu, and more.

AT&T plans to make Stream Saver available to customers starting in early 2017.

Article Link: AT&T's Optional 'Stream Saver' Feature Will Throttle Streaming Video Starting in 2017

 

[garirry]

Let me guess - it's free, but in order to remove it, you pay an extra $100 per month?

Oh, and the total bandwidth is halved since you "don't need" as much data now? You have to pay another $300 per month in order to go back to the normal limit?

 

[Return Zero]

So the downgraded video will still count against your data plan? Who in their right mind would think this is even close to being competitive with T-Mobile?

 

[srsub3]

Instead of giving a more powerful signal with all the money they take from us, they are still looking for ways to give us worse services... incredible!

 

[macduke]

At least offer 720p options for iPad and iPhone Plus users. I don't mind going down to 720p while mobile but 480p is pretty crappy.

They're probably announcing this now because President Elect Donald Trump is not in favor of net neutrality. When the rules change, AT&T will be able to easily force this upon all of their customers at once. I'd expect to see this from Verizon and others shortly. Companies will have to pay up to the carriers to enable HD streaming, passing on the cost to the consumer.

 

[sinanziric]

Why would I watch 480p instead of 1080p?

480p? in 2020s

 

[bbeagle]

Let me guess - it's free, but in order to remove it, you pay an extra $100 per month?

No - it's free either way, just an option you can choose.

The benefit of choosing lower quality data, is that you pay less for it because you're using less data.

But, go ahead, stream the same things in a higher quality and pay more for your monthly data. It's YOUR choice.

 

[gim]

So the downgraded video will still count against your data plan? Who in their right mind would think this is even close to being competitive with T-Mobile?

Exactly.
But thanks to the declining quality of MR, the article does not specify this huge difference.

 

[bbeagle]

Why would I watch 480p instead of 1080p?

480p? in 2020s

Because 480p uses LESS data, thus it's cheaper.

Depends what you're watching. A talk show? Why do you need high quality? A movie? Depends on the movie, maybe you DO want high quality, maybe you don't.

 

[cmaier]

So glad I've dumped AT&T entirely from my life.

 

[Xavier]

Are they really asking if we are willing to PAY and then use a crappier version of their service?

 

[garylapointe]

Sounds like it's on by default... "You control Stream Saver and can turn it off or back on"

Not a fan of that.

Especially since it sounds like they are doing to to current accounts and not just new accounts.

Seems like AT&T traditionally doesn't make changes to their accounts, this would be a change from that.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Typical half-baked copied ideas from AT&T.

 

[TailsToo]

Lucky that pesky FCC wont' be a factor for much longer...

 

[Xenomorph]

Does anyone know if this is for the whole account, or Per-Line?

I'll switch this on for several family members. Why? If they aren't aware enough of what they are doing eats all of our data up, they probably won't be aware when the video runs at 480p, either.

I know not to burn through all my data, so I'd like 720p (or better). Although it would be nice to limit it to 720p.

This is a good way to save bandwidth.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Is there any decent carrier and plan one can switch to today?

Verizon - Way too expensive
AT&T - Lots of hidden fees and shenanigans
Sprint - Poor coverage, low speeds
T-Mobile - Poor coverage, only one plan option that is highly limited unlimited

*Note - I'm talking about plans that one can switch to today. So your special grandfathered plan for 3 years ago is irrelevant.

 

[kevinkyoo]

So glad I've dumped AT&T entirely from my life.

We've moved on from their horrible cellular plan, but AT&T literally dominates the entirety of Cleveland. Can't get Cable without them, although we're thinking of cutting the wire.

 

[nwcs]

Makes sense to have an option for consumers as long as it is an opt in approach. Many consumers aren't savvy enough to use the throttling built into some of these streaming apps and it would benefit them. On the face of it I don't see anything to complain about on this.

Edit: Just read that it will be on by default but instructions emailed on how to turn it off. That's good enough for me. I'd rather it be opt-in but this could be beneficial to some.

 

[shareef777]

I bet they auto enable the 'feature' for business lines so that end users can't disable it without going through hoops. My company pays for unlimited data, but I bet they make it cumbersome to turn off so our help desk won't bother turning it off for the 600+ lines we have.

 

[ohio.emt]

So the downgraded video will still count against your data plan? Who in their right mind would think this is even close to being competitive with T-Mobile?

My guess is they are wanting to avoid the FCC. The FCC has been hassling T-mobile over net neutrality issues with binge on. One of the reasons is they make it so partner video doesn't count against your plan, but if the company doesn't partner with them they still count it against your plan. The way AT&T is doing it all videos are being treated the same as long as it is technologically possible for them.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

How is this turned on and off? Is it in the AT&T app, or somewhere in Settings, or do I have to go to their website? How quickly does flipping the switch change the video quality?

Also, it'd be nice if there was some way to find out how quickly you're burning data in real time...

 

[ohio.emt]

Does anyone know if this is for the whole account, or Per-Line?

I'll switch this on for several family members. Why? If they aren't aware enough of what they are doing eats all of our data up, they probably won't be aware when the video runs at 480p, either.

I know not to burn through all my data, so I'd like 720p (or better). Although it would be nice to limit it to 720p.

This is a good way to save bandwidth.

According to AT&T's announcement page it is by each qualified line.

 

[T-Will]

Glad I still have a grandfathered unlimited plan.

 

[pat500000]

Initially, I read the article title as Att "screen saver." I was like...what?

 

[2457282]

As soon as this is release, I am totally turning this on (on my daughter's phone).