T-Mobile Expands 'Binge On' Free Video Streaming to NBC, Spotify, and More

[nutmac]

T-Mobile's 6GB plan is a great deal, especially when you combine it with previous and current promos that offers the plan for the same price as the base 2GB plan. Previous promo was $80 for 2 lines with 6GB each ($20 for each additional line with 6GB) and current promo is $120 for 4 lines with 6GB each ($20 for each additional lines).

In addition to Binge On and Music Unlimited, T-Mobile does not count data used toward (1) downloading and updating apps on the App Store, (2) running speed test using Ookla Speedtest and few others apps, and (3) T-Mobile mobile apps.

Combined with (1) 20GB Data Stash, (2) more services being added every few months, and (3) T-Mobile doubling data every year or two, most people probably would do just fine with T-Mobile's limited data plan.
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[doublepost=1463503213][/doublepost]Binge On is a violation of Net Neutrality principles. If the internet is to be free and democratic, ISPs like T-Mobile can not be allowed to favor data transmission from content providers, in essence, setting themselves up as internet gatekeepers who determine the winners and losers online.

You can argue that their original implementation was a violation of net neutrality. But T-Mobile has since opened up. Binge On is now opened to any one who provides legal video contents with a separate stream optimized for 1.5 Mbps bandwidth. And it's up to the service to decide whether to handle the throttling themselves (e.g., YouTube) or let T-Mobile manage it.

 

[Plutonius]

T-Mobile is really doing some great things for their customers. Other carriers need to follow.

In most cases I agree except the most important one. The other carriers are spending their money constructing new towers along with their upgrades on existing towers (i.e. they have more extensive networks). T-Mobile appears to just be upgrading their existing towers. At the start of the year, I was finally forced to dump T-Mobile because of their sub par coverage.

 

[cmwade77]

I see you've had your morning glass of prune juice.

I was just pointing out that for all the controversy that Binge On got -- and it has got lots of controversy in the media, which in itself caused bad TMob publicity, and forced Legere to publicly defend the decision with Twitter Q&As -- all of this could been avoided just by making it opt-in.

For instance, there were a large number of users who were unaware about Binge On, and suffered with streaming quality/video buffering as a result of it automatically being applied to their account. After calling TMob support, they suggested turning off a feature that they didn't know had been applied.

All of that could have been so easily avoided by the carrier just by making it opt in. I really can't believe you'd advocate otherwise.

Honestly there is no excuse to not know about Binge On and that it was getting applied automatically, they include information on it in every bill, they sent out text messages, it has been all over the news. So unless you intentionally avoid all things T-Mobile, there is no excuse not to know it was coming.

Really since this is a money saving feature it makes more sense for it to be opt-out instead of opt-in.
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In most cases I agree except the most important one. The other carriers are spending their money constructing new towers along with their upgrades on existing towers (i.e. they have more extensive networks). T-Mobile appears to just be upgrading their existing towers. At the start of the year, I was finally forced to dump T-Mobile because of their sub par coverage.

Actually, they are building a lot of new towers AND upgrading their existing ones. But it does take time to get the new towers approved by building owners, city officials, work out lease arrangements, etc. In the end T-Mobile's coverage will far exceed the rest of the providers, but it will take some time to get there.

 

[gotluck]

All of the Binge On in the world won't fix the fact that their coverage is terrible. Even Sprint is better than they are where I'm at, despite what their fancy map says.

sprint has better building penetration in my area too, I've been testing with ringplus and coverage is surprisingly better than my ATT line in some tough spots around me

not enough tmobile band12 around yet, tmobile is killer when you get signal though.. 20x20mhz band 4 lte in most places ive gone in FL, which is absolutely lovely, but you could be 20 steps inside a building from no signal. aside from band 12, ALL of tmobiles spectrum is high frequency, no low frequency 2g or 3g (worse off than sprint in this respect)

They remind me of directv, they are awesome when everything is working

I do love binge on though

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

All of the Binge On in the world won't fix the fact that their coverage is terrible. Even Sprint is better than they are where I'm at, despite what their fancy map says.

But where I Am they have better coverage and speeds than Verizon, Sprint and ATT so there you have it.

 

[PainfulWale]

I have been with T-Mobile for about a month now and all I can say is that it's incredible! My wife and I jumped on the 6gb unlimited plan (2-linea for $80). The Binge on is awesome. 480p is FINE on a phone screen so don't worry about that. No I don't work for T-mobile but they deserve some praise here. There signal is only getting better. I say currently where I live they are nearly on par with ATT.

 

[Howyalikdemapls]

I've said this many times before... I really really can't wait to switch to T Mobile.

Make sure they have good coverage in your area. I live in Southern California so I just assumed it would be decent, but I miss AT&T so much now. I used to be in stores and check reviews of products on-line before I bought them, or I'd call my wife to see if I needed to pick something up from the grocery store, or I'd send pictures of potential Christmas presents to my siblings to see if their kids would like the item, but I can't do any of that anymore. My wife used to call me everyday on her drive home from work, and now it cuts out for about half of the drive.

My bill is about half of what it was with AT&T, but I can only use my phone about half as much as I used to be able to.
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Yes that would fix everything because clicking a button is so difficult.

I think the point is that the controversy is dumb. Remember when everyone bitched about iTunes giving them a free U2 album?
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I see you've had your morning glass of prune juice.

I was just pointing out that for all the controversy that Binge On got -- and it has got lots of controversy in the media, which in itself caused bad TMob publicity, and forced Legere to publicly defend the decision with Twitter Q&As -- all of this could been avoided just by making it opt-in.

For instance, there were a large number of users who were unaware about Binge On, and suffered with streaming quality/video buffering as a result of it automatically being applied to their account. After calling TMob support, they suggested turning off a feature that they didn't know had been applied.

All of that could have been so easily avoided by the carrier just by making it opt in. I really can't believe you'd advocate otherwise.

Video buffering as a result of Binge On being applied? Wouldn't there be less buffering because it's streaming at a lower resolution? I'm sure there would be a lot of people complaining if all their data got used up because they were told they could watch Netflix without it consuming their data only to find out they had to opt-in. Personally, I couldn't care less whether it's opt-in or opt-out, but there are pros and cons.

 

[Michael Goff]

sprint has better building penetration in my area too, I've been testing with ringplus and coverage is surprisingly better than my ATT line in some tough spots around me

not enough tmobile band12 around yet, tmobile is killer when you get signal though.. 20x20mhz band 4 lte in most places ive gone in FL, which is absolutely lovely, but you could be 20 steps inside a building from no signal. aside from band 12, ALL of tmobiles spectrum is high frequency, no low frequency 2g or 3g (worse off than sprint in this respect)

They remind me of directv, they are awesome when everything is working

I do love binge on though

Sounds about like my situation.

But where I Am they have better coverage and speeds than Verizon, Sprint and ATT so there you have it.

And I'm guessing you live in a bigger city where TMo shines.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Video buffering as a result of Binge On being applied? Wouldn't there be less buffering because it's streaming at a lower resolution? I'm sure there would be a lot of people complaining if all their data got used up because they were told they could watch Netflix without it consuming their data only to find out they had to opt-in.

Regrettably not. Basically, all it does is throttle the bandwidth. TMob then rely on the content providers (e.g, YouTube) to see the user is on a 'slower' connection, and as such they push the video as a lower resolution. If the content provider doesn't stream at a lower resolution based on bandwidth, then you'll get buffering.

That's why it's absolute marketing rubbish by Legere to say that it's 'optimised video'; and unfortunately, no amount of dropped f-bombs in his Twitter rants will wipe away the facts.

Again, I don't feel particularly offended about it, and I think Legere is a great CEO. I just think it was a poor decision to make it opt-out.

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

And I'm guessing you live in a bigger city where TMo shines.

Nope not at all.

 

[Michael Goff]

Nope not at all.

Lucky you, then, and I wish you all the best with your service.

 

[drewyboy]

Hmm, I see what you mean. But I guess that's where marketing comes into. Something like "make sure you sign on for Binge On", etc.; as long as it's marketed in a way that means you need to sign up for it. Even an SMS to everybody outlining you can sign up by following <URL in SMS>... I dunno.

I think we understand each other. But I think you're giving the average consumer too much credit There's a reason for every single warning label. "WARNING: COFFEE IS HOT"

 

[rekhyt]

RIP net neutrality

 

[drewyboy]

RIP net neutrality

Oh please. These services are consumer voted.

 

[milo]

I'd agree with you, except perhaps in this instance ... Legere can dress it up all he wants, but essentially Binge On is just data throttling. But it is great for people with smaller data plans or who aren't on unlimited; it's just not for everyone.

That's not entirely true. Data is throttled but that data also doesn't count toward the monthly allowance. If it was just throttling, it would be less data but still count toward the limit.

 

[keysofanxiety]

That's not entirely true. Data is throttled but that data also doesn't count toward the monthly allowance. If it was just throttling, it would be less data but still count toward the limit.

Very good point.

 

[ike1707]

Yes and no. Yes TIDAL would get swept up in the wave <-- see what I did there? - but you can opt out of Binge On for your TIDAL streaming <-- and there?. After that, it smooth sailing.

/shoots self for really bad joke

You slyboots, you hahahaha

 

[Tthomas612]

I live kinda close to Cincinnati, Oh but I'd consider my speeds great. Of course my
Last carrier was Sprint ...

 

[IlluminatiMyMindSoul&Body]

Me too! Just do it!

 

[rohitp]

I see you've had your morning glass of prune juice.

I was just pointing out that for all the controversy that Binge On got -- and it has got lots of controversy in the media, which in itself caused bad TMob publicity, and forced Legere to publicly defend the decision with Twitter Q&As -- all of this could been avoided just by making it opt-in.

For instance, there were a large number of users who were unaware about Binge On, and suffered with streaming quality/video buffering as a result of it automatically being applied to their account. After calling TMob support, they suggested turning off a feature that they didn't know had been applied.

All of that could have been so easily avoided by the carrier just by making it opt in. I really can't believe you'd advocate otherwise.

Oh the humanity. "Suffered" through lower quality streaming. #firstworldproblems

Most people would rather not "suffer"through large bills and/or running out of hi-speed data when then need it the most. If you notice the degradation, a simple call or click fixes your issue.

About the only thing T-Mo did wrong here was not sending you a message saying the feature was active. That would have kept you from your suffering... Thirty lashes for Legere!!!