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T-Mobile Unveils Doubled Data Plans, Free Video Streaming at Un-Carrier X Event
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I switched to tmobile 2 years ago from AT&T and have no regrets. Love tmobile. I am off to Mexico tomorrow and get data, txt and phone just as if I were in the US. I'm currently a 3 GB customer... I guess I am now 6 GB. Last month I went over 3 GB (I stupidly downloaded some movies over cellular), called them and they put me on the unlimited plan until the end of my billing period. Connectivity is great for me.
No joke. I'm wondering what is the negative to going from AT&T to T-Mobile at this point? I guess I'd be worried about coverage...hrm.
First, on net neutrality:
The FCC has said they likely won't go after T-Mobile for the music freedom program, because A) it benefits consumers, and B) any company can join the program. This is different than AT&T's sponsored data program, where companies pay AT&T to give you access to their app without eating into your data allotment. AFAIK, T-Mobile isn't demanding payment from any company to participate in Music Freedom or Binge-On. So there's no tacit endorsement of any given company, since any other company can join.
Second, on privacy issues:
You're a fool if you think your cellphone company isn't already capturing as much data as it can get about you from your device and your usage. Programs like this are just a nice byproduct of that data collection, not the cause of it. It doesn't matter what carrier you have, they will do it to some degree.
The FCC has said they likely won't go after T-Mobile for the music freedom program, because A) it benefits consumers, and B) any company can join the program. This is different than AT&T's sponsored data program, where companies pay AT&T to give you access to their app without eating into your data allotment. AFAIK, T-Mobile isn't demanding payment from any company to participate in Music Freedom or Binge-On. So there's no tacit endorsement of any given company, since any other company can join.
Second, on privacy issues:
You're a fool if you think your cellphone company isn't already capturing as much data as it can get about you from your device and your usage. Programs like this are just a nice byproduct of that data collection, not the cause of it. It doesn't matter what carrier you have, they will do it to some degree.
So, does Binge On include YouTube or not? The article mentions that it does, but the picture showing the icons of all the services included doesn't show the YouTube icon.
I did the math and decided to leave AT&T and I don't regret it for one minute. I priced the plan I have at Verizon and they want 335 a month are you kidding me? At Tmobile the plan is 120 a month. People need to wake up and stop getting fleeced.
If it cost money, then your point would be valid... except it doesn't. It's included with the plan.. it is just limited to 480p (no HD streaming).
As far as network congestion - from what I gathered while watching the event earlier, it seems that the way this service is being provided by TMo, it's actually optimizing throughput from these services using their own tech (they wouldn't go into too many specifics on the HOW part obviously) so that while on the TMo mobile network, video content is being specifically optimized for the mobile device. As opposed to (example) serving a maybe 1GB 1080p HD video to an iPhone 6 that doesn't necessarily need all of those extra bits and bytes - and optimizing/downscaling to 480p, taking all of that extra unnecessary size and bandwidth from the original 1080p file away, while retaining a quality picture specific to the mobile device being used. They mentioned that this could be turned on or off instantly. In addition, for those like myself who like to stream content and sometimes AirPlay to a TV, the system will auto detect if tire on WiFi and upscale accordingly. It sounds like they've thought this whole thing through.
From their standpoint as a 'mobile data company' this actually seems quite brilliant. As far as net neutrality, the customer is paying nothing, and the providers are also laying nothing. It's an interesting move for sure. I'd suggest watching the presentation. They ironed out most of the details throughout, and in the Q & A. In a world where video is being consumed while mobile at insane rates, and with that trend ever increasing, it seems like one hell of an idea to optimize that video where they can, to not only reduce the strain on the mobile network - but still remain efficient. AND it's free to all subs! Pretty brilliant move here!
You can toggle it on or off instantly from their website. From what I've seen though, the quality is nearly indiscernible from 'HD' while streaming any of the current partner service videos on the mobile network. Couldn't hurt to try it, and if you decide that the quality just isn't good enough for your own tastes, you can absolutely turn it off, which is fantastic.
Absolutely agree. The people praising T-Mo have clearly never used their service because it's absolute crap. When someone actually manages to have an adequate signal (which is rare) it's usually no faster than .3-.6 mbps (takes 15 seconds to load a simple Google page).
T-Mo is in no way threatening the other carriers. In fact, all they are doing is causing Americans to suffer due to tricking them into using their disgusting service. I pity anyone who switches to them and has to live in that hell.
Coverage is very rapidly increasing. It's not perfect yet, but the fact that they've gone from zero LTE in 2013 to now 302m pops is pretty incredible. Also, I wish I had more examples of expanded coverage areas, but here's one I stumbled upon earlier showing the rapid growth rate. It's nuts how fast they're expanding! Not saying it's anywhere near perfect, but you can't deny that they aren't trying and exceeding everyone's expectations. The goal for LTE coverage by the end of 2015 was 300m pops...they're now covering 302m, and growing. Check out this GIF of coverage in Michigan as an example:
http://m.imgur.com/vXVW47V
Wow. 60 million and counting Americans must be enjoying those .3 mbps speeds.
TMO is actually faster than AT&T in many areas if you bothered to do some research. The people bashing TMO have clearly never used their service.
Cnet is reporting a $5 to $15 dollar increase for doubled plans. Unlimited will be $95
I don't think doubling or video will apply to prepaid iPad plans
Tmo told me no video for Walmart
As far as I'm guessing. Your plan must be eligible for data stash and be 3 gb or more
The meeting said you needed to turn on and off a switch on my tmobile but prepaid iPads use
Mim tmobile so that's why I'm thinking we don't get it
Meanwhile both these plans get music freedom
I don't think doubling or video will apply to prepaid iPad plans
Tmo told me no video for Walmart
As far as I'm guessing. Your plan must be eligible for data stash and be 3 gb or more
The meeting said you needed to turn on and off a switch on my tmobile but prepaid iPads use
Mim tmobile so that's why I'm thinking we don't get it
Meanwhile both these plans get music freedom
I feel like a lot of people are missing the long term strategy here. I'm reading posts about TMo doing this to share and sell the videos you're streaming based off your GPS to advertisers, and that they're doing this to gain more market share etc etc etc.
If you look at the hard numbers, video on mobile networks is the #1 constraint on broadband and mobile networks worldwide. From a mobile network standpoint, the video optimization to take a file that's generally optimized for TV or a computer, and push it down to a mobile friendly format while retaining picture quality that still looks great on a 4-6in screen is ingenious for the long-haul. Making it free for everybody if they want it is just a plus.
If their numbers from the announcement were anywhere near correct with video streaming jumping 400% over the next few years, they've just almost completely solved any bandwidth issues and network constraints that they may encounter as the network continues to take on at least a million new subs per quarter. And they've been adding 1m new subs for the last 10-11 quarters already...that's a huge number! Ookla results are showing TMo as the fastest mobile data network in the US. As they continue to expand new and emerging markets, surely they don't want the network to slow down. Remember AT&T's network burning down when the iPhone took off?
The way I'm looking at this, they almost had to do it...and it seems pretty smart from a network optimization standpoint, looking forward into the future. This company is less a cell phone carrier and more a mobile data network, and they're def acting that way and innovating in ways the other carriers just can't compete with. Sure coverage is an issue in rural areas still, but Band 12 is rolling out at a ridiculous rate to help solve that issue, they're planning to purchase a ton of new spectrum at the upcoming auction, and have pretty aggressive plans for expansion moving into 2016.
I honestly won't be surprised when they overtake AT&T for the #2 spot, and I can see it happening within a year or two. From a business standpoint, operating as a mobile data company - they're making all of the right moves, and the numbers are showing. Not just in new subs and port ratios, but in data speeds and expansion rates as well.
Legere and Co are doing one hell of a job over there AFAIC.
If you look at the hard numbers, video on mobile networks is the #1 constraint on broadband and mobile networks worldwide. From a mobile network standpoint, the video optimization to take a file that's generally optimized for TV or a computer, and push it down to a mobile friendly format while retaining picture quality that still looks great on a 4-6in screen is ingenious for the long-haul. Making it free for everybody if they want it is just a plus.
If their numbers from the announcement were anywhere near correct with video streaming jumping 400% over the next few years, they've just almost completely solved any bandwidth issues and network constraints that they may encounter as the network continues to take on at least a million new subs per quarter. And they've been adding 1m new subs for the last 10-11 quarters already...that's a huge number! Ookla results are showing TMo as the fastest mobile data network in the US. As they continue to expand new and emerging markets, surely they don't want the network to slow down. Remember AT&T's network burning down when the iPhone took off?
The way I'm looking at this, they almost had to do it...and it seems pretty smart from a network optimization standpoint, looking forward into the future. This company is less a cell phone carrier and more a mobile data network, and they're def acting that way and innovating in ways the other carriers just can't compete with. Sure coverage is an issue in rural areas still, but Band 12 is rolling out at a ridiculous rate to help solve that issue, they're planning to purchase a ton of new spectrum at the upcoming auction, and have pretty aggressive plans for expansion moving into 2016.
I honestly won't be surprised when they overtake AT&T for the #2 spot, and I can see it happening within a year or two. From a business standpoint, operating as a mobile data company - they're making all of the right moves, and the numbers are showing. Not just in new subs and port ratios, but in data speeds and expansion rates as well.
Legere and Co are doing one hell of a job over there AFAIC.
Can you literally just read the first two sentences of the article?
Can you literally be more dense?
"T-Mobile CEO John Legere today hosted an Un-Carrier X event, where he announced T-Mobile's latest offering, free video streaming. Going forward, T-Mobile customers who watch streaming video will not have the video data count towards their monthly data usage."
The first lines say free video streaming referring to eliminating data consumption not subs to the services. Services are run by their onlive thingy for 3gb and up users, tmobile site says the the onlive or whatever is called is free, but that doesn't mean you don't need a sub or if the free subs are limited for users.
If you understand that it's in regard to data consumption, why would you ask if we get free hulu plus and HBO? Do you see anything about free subscriptions?
And you call me dense lol