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Carrier So about T-Mobile Binge On...

Yes. Hooray for the death of the open internet. Way to go T-Mobile.

Remember when Netflix accused Comcast and other ISPs of holding their customers hostage for payment? Netflix paid up, and depending on who you ask, it looks like the ISPs won big time. But Netflix also won! Despite arguments that Netflix was an underdog, it’s doing huge business, and it’s going to be fine. Netflix is not the problem — it’s even going to enjoy unlimited access to customers as part of Binge On, along with all the other big media brands that were called out by name today at T-Mobile's event. It’s the nextNetflix that’s going to suffer. Or maybe even just the next website. Have you noticed that all these zero-rating programs privilege video and sound? What about everything else? The network isn't open if this kind of discrimination exists.

One of the worst possible worlds for the internet is one in which suits at companies like Comcast or T-Mobile have to meet in a boardroom before you’re allowed to experience something without limits. That future looks more and more likely as media companies, technology companies, and telecommunications companies become more tightly integrated in complicated layers of cartel-style ownership — the same way the TV business has operated for decades.

So Binge On is a bad idea. It gives T-Mobile too much power in deciding winners and losers on the internet, and it gives other ISPs incentive to adopt similar measures to stay competitive. Worse, its spin as a pro-consumer benefit obscures the manipulation of the broadband market that’s happening right under our noses. John Legere even breathlessly talked trash about Verizon "curating" what people should watch under Go90, even though he’s basically doing the same thing with a different name.
Click to expand...

http://www.theverge.com/2015/11/10/...-streaming-net-neutrality-problem-john-legere
 
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ultravisitor said:
Yes. Hooray for the death of the open internet. Way to go T-Mobile.



http://www.theverge.com/2015/11/10/...-streaming-net-neutrality-problem-john-legere
Click to expand...

The comparison to Comcast is apples and oranges. T-Mobile isn't charging video services to be a part of BingeOn. They've already said it's open to any video provider who streams legal content and is willing to meet the technical requirements for BingeOn to work. Lastly, if I, as a T-Mobile customer, want to stream a video service that isn't a part of BingeOn, I can, it will just count against my data. But T-Mobile isn't going to prevent me from doing so.
 
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The whole argument that T-Mobile is killing net-neutrality is specious and ignores that fact that this is a common, time-honored business practice in many industries - not just wireless.

Where is the outcry when your local grocery store puts only brand X on special for a week? Where is brand neutrality there?

No. I don't buy it.

In any case, OP, while great for you and certainly lots of other T-Mobile customers, I have to say "meh" to this.

Whether I have it or not - I have unlimited on T-Mobile already. Makes no difference at all whether this counts or not in light of my plan.
 
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Thanks T-Mobile, but I already get this with AT&T using my unlimited data plan, lol.
 
It's a great option to have available.
Get it, option?
That's things that AT&T and Verizon didn't offer us for years. Options.
Either unlimited texts or no texts at all and pay as you go.
Either unlimited data plan or you cannot get an iphone.
Then either 200mb of data or 2gb of data.
But why would the 2 big carriers do that if they can continue to line their pockets? The surge in wireless video has translated directly into an unprecedented surge in data overages projected in billions of dollars in yearly fees.
T Mobile with another industry shaking move now won't count streaming data for radio and many streaming video options.
No one pays for it—not the customers, not the video streaming services and the customer benefits the most.
I can sit there and stream from my slingbox all day all my dvr shows or live tv and wont even count against my data on 480P quality. And with a switch one can activate or deactivate Binge On for each line.
And some try to complain about this option?
Some of us I think are carrier fanboyz a little too much where we start to see competition and better pricing and options as a bad thing.
Instead of realizing it is a great thing for everyone no matter if you're on T Mobile, AT&T, Verizon or Sprint.

https://newsroom.t-mobile.com/media-kits/un-carrier-x.htm
 
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Friendly reminder that T-Mobile rolled out Binge On today. It's turned ON by default, meaning regardless of what your app settings are for Netflix, HBO Now, Hulu, etc, your videos will be scaled down to 480p when on cellular. You have to login to your account and turn this 'feature' off (I had to call them because there's a bug on their website when you have a family plan).
 
I have the $80 unlimited data plan. Today in the T-Mobile app, under Add/Change Services...Other... there was a new "Binge On ?" radio button. It was set to OFF, not ON. I was able to turn it on. But then was unable to turn it off?
 
T-Mobile is a good value (when LTE signals work for data).

For families 10gb per line full speed with their most popular package is usually good enough especially if T-Mobile is exempting most video sites (they are working on YouTube).

But Check the network our first. Had a couple of my friends switch from Verizon to T-Mobile and they regretted it big time (big cities DC, Baltimore and Orlando) especially moving out to suburb areas.
 
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You got that right! My autistic granddaughter watches Amazon/UTube and Netflix. She's 9 years old and has not a clue that 'data' costs money. We were not paying close attention a couple months ago and she ran up a bill of $200 extra bucks on our AT&T account for one month. AT&T customer 'non-service' was not sympathetic even though I've been a customer for decades.

I had an extra iPhone 5c laying around totally owned by me.....I and immediately took it to SPRINT and sighed up for their phone service and unlimited data plan. TOTAL BILL IS IS $60 A MONTH.
 
hindmost said:
You got that right! My autistic granddaughter watches Amazon/UTube and Netflix. She's 9 years old and has not a clue that 'data' costs money. We were not paying close attention a couple months ago and she ran up a bill of $200 extra bucks on our AT&T account for one month. AT&T customer 'non-service' was not sympathetic even though I've been a customer for decades.

I had an extra iPhone 5c laying around totally owned by me.....I and immediately took it to SPRINT and sighed up for their phone service and unlimited data plan. TOTAL BILL IS IS $60 A MONTH.
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That plan is now $70/mo. alone. Did you at it to existing lines for $60?

Sprint's use of the word "unlimited" is a JOKE: XGB of LTE speed and then unlimited 2G (not even 3G) which typically clocks in at 100-300kbps. No thanks. Not for me. They DO have a truly unlimited plan, but it starts at $70/mo. before paying for phone, taxes, fees, etc.

Which plan are you speaking of?
 
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