YouTube Accuses T-Mobile of Downgrading All Video With Binge On Program

[WarHeadz]

No, you didn't. It says that while the service can be turned off, when it is turned on it affects all video not just partner video. This is not the same as being unable to turn it off.

Correct, that's exactly the problem the article is trying to describe. It's not SUPPOSED to do that. That was never the agreement. It's only supposed to throttle their "partners" video streaming. As it stands, it's a violation of net neutrality and I encourage the FCC to pounce on them.

 

[WarHeadz]

How does a program like Binge On jive with net neutrality?

It probably doesn't. That's why the FCC is investigating it.

 

[2457282]

So I am sure I will be corrected where I state things wrong, but here is what I understand.

Net neutrality says all packets have the same priority on the network. Any thing that prioritizes packets is violating the rule.

T-Mobile is compressing the video stream when the feature is on. Compression is not prioritisation.

Charging or not charging for a packet has nothing to do with neutrality. A vendor has the right to charge or not whatever they want.

The only place I see a problem is that they are compressing streams from non-partners. The non-partners can argue that this is altering their stream without permission. But if it's a feature the consumer turns on and desire it may be legit.

So as long as t-mob has not prioritized any packet, they are in the clear I think. So if there is evidence of prioritisation, let's see it.

 

[codelode84]

Correct, that's exactly the problem the article is trying to describe. It's not SUPPOSED to do that. That was never the agreement. It's only supposed to throttle their "partners" video streaming. As it stands, it's a violation of net neutrality and I encourage the FCC to pounce on them.

Dude you have no clue the FAQ clearly states it throttles all video...... This was made public well before the program started. I don't know why everyone is acting like this is a surprise. If you don't want your video compressed turn binge on OFF.

 

[Max(IT)]

Could someone explain this better to me ? Is TMo throttling every video watched under their network, even if it doesn't belong to the partnership ?

 

[dannyyankou]

But YouTube, you do the same thing, except people are paying for the data

 

[Dammit Cubs]

I really like this feature. I bought an iPad pro just so I can use it for this program. I have already used the music streaming for my trip from San Francisco to LA and having music streaming was awesome as I didn't have to use my data from company phone.

 

[codelode84]

Could someone explain this better to me ? Is TMo throttling every video watched under their network, even if it doesn't belong to the partnership ?

The have created a propriety compression system that if you use the providers that are part of the program (which it sounds like have certain software requirements that allow them to monitor the stream). Others are still compressed and mentioned you are using less data b/c it is compressed.

 

[jimsowden]

Oh puhlease, you're getting the content for FREE WITH NO DATA USAGE. Cry me a river. And 480p on a few inch screen is more than enough fort he average person to allow everyone to get it for no data cost. You can never please everyone obviously. Turn it off if you dont like it and suck your data.

You're not - YouTube is still being charge full data rates.

 

[macfoxpro]

Another sucky offering from sucky T-Mobile.
With that said, I say let them throttle. People will get it, or they won't. Thin the herd, I say.

 

[Cndnmax]

You clearly didn't read the article. YouTube found evidence that the videos were being throttled, whether the customers have the feature turned on or not.

That's not what the article said. They said that all videos were being throttled even if they were not partners. They did not mention videos being throttled with the option turned off.
Btw, if you guys bothered to read the Bing on FAQ available:
"Plus, almost all other video streaming is optimized for mobile so you watch 3 times more video with your data plan."

Oh nooo they are doing exactly what they said they would, you bastards! It's pretty stupid of people to complain about something that benefits them-for free! If you don't want it turn it off.

 

[codelode84]

Another sucky offering from sucky T-Mobile.
With that said, I say let them throttle. People will get it, or they won't. Thin the herd, I say.

Not a bad offer at all T-Mobile has made every positive change in the cell phone market in the last 5 years. If it was up to AT&T and Verizon you would be paying a fortune for your service and the only thing keeping them in check is T-Mobile and Sprint.

 

[busyscott]

I and many others were of the opinion that T-Mobile choosing to decline to charge for streaming video and audio were not a violation of the purpose of net neutrality, because they offered it to all.

Now I hear about "partners" and evidence of throttling a non-partner, and I have switched camps. This is absolutely a violation of net neutrality.

New T-Mobile customer here and I don't have a problem with this. I can switch off Bing On anytime I want if I wanted 720p streams. Youtube may not like it, but it's MY choice, not theirs.

 

[kildraik]

I wonder when the day will be that I don't utter the word, "criminals," under my breath after reading an article on any mobile carrier.

 

[codelode84]

I wonder when the day will be that I don't utter the word, "criminals," under my breath after reading an article on any mobile carrier.

Sure AT&T and Verizon but I feel this is far from true from T-Mobile. Now sure T-Mobile doesn't have the power that T and VZ have but T-Mobile is the Dukes of Hazzard of the cell phone industry. They fight the system more than any company out there.

 

[rictus007]

Yes, MacRumors, 480P is DVD quality.

....And at 2015 if is not IMAX I'm not going to the movies.... BTW I noted last week that Best buy still sells DVDs

 

[macfoxpro]

Not a bad offer at all T-Mobile has made every positive change in the cell phone market in the last 5 years. If it was up to AT&T and Verizon you would be paying a fortune for your service and the only thing keeping them in check is T-Mobile and Sprint.

No thanks. Been there...it sucked. Their service just doesn't cut it for me and so many others.

 

[cmwade77]

Ok, my wife has T-Mobile and has Binge On enabled.

Does it downgrade the quality to 480P on all videos? Yes, it does appear to do so.

Does it matter? When viewing one something the size of a phone, no it does not. If you are using a hotspot service and displaying on your big screen TV, sure it will. But you can also turn Binge On off and on at will, just when Binge On is off and you are getting the higher quality video, it obviously is consuming more data and is counting against your high speed data cap.

So is this a big deal in the grand scheme of things? Absolutely not and in fact Youtube should become a partner with T-mobile rather than complaining about them throttling the video quality when the user opted into it being throttled.

And yes, that is why this does not go against net neutrality, it is completely up to the end user as to if they want their video quality throttled or not. The user is giving permission to T-Mobile to throttle the quality in exchange for videos from many services not counting against their high speed data cap. Both parties get something out of the deal, T-Mobile gets lower demand on the network and the user gets more data.

Any yes, T-Mobile even says that it applies it's Binge On algorithm to all videos, even if it is not a partner site when Binge On is enabled, they are very transparent about it.

 

[cmwade77]

No thanks. Been there...it sucked. Their service just doesn't cut it for me and so many others.

How long ago was this? Currently T-mobile has better coverage than just about anyone else, it is even beginning to rival Verizon and with faster data speeds. But this is extremely recent, probably within the past 3 months or so.

 

[zone23]

I haven't noticed it.

 

[macfoxpro]

How long ago was this? Currently T-mobile has better coverage than just about anyone else, it is even beginning to rival Verizon and with faster data speeds. But this is extremely recent, probably within the past 3 months or so.

yeah, granted it was the summer/fall of 2014, but it was the worst. Perhaps it has gotten better.
I am happy with ATT, well, not so much happy, but I feel it's the best than I can get, right now with my family plan, etc..

 

[dk001]

It is amazing the amount of "let's comment and not read the article" commenting that goes on here.

Big Big Big problem!!!!! If this TMo thing flies, that allows ALL to pull the same crapolla for any streaming service. Open your mind and imagine what Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, TWC, etc... could pull if they executed throttling like this on thier networks by default and for all video with your only option being to turn it off or turn it on - then toss in data caps.

Seriously?

edit: spelling

 

[sw1tcher]

So to summarize:

- turn on the "Binge On" setting if you're okay with 480p quality video from everyone *and* you would also like to not have the data be deducted from your data bucket when watching video from TMobile's 24 partners

- turn off the "Binge On" setting if you want 720p or higher quality video *and* are okay with all data that's used be deducted from your data bucket.

It's your choice.

I see nothing wrong here.

 

[zone23]

It is amazing the amount of "let's comment and not read the article" commenting that goes on here.

Big Big Big problem!!!!! If this TMo thing flies, that allows ALL to pull the same crapolla for any streaming service. Open your mind and imagine what Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, TWC, etc... could pull if they executed throttling like this on thier networks by default and for all video with your only option being to turn it off or tuen it on - then toss in data caps.

Seriously?

Its really simple since some internet providers are now capping your data you will just run out then you can buy more. My provider charges 15$/100GB. I get 300GB/per month to start. Internet is not unlimited anymore.

 

[IGI2]

You clearly didn't read the article. YouTube found evidence that the videos were being throttled, whether the customers have the feature turned on or not.

Ooops, I think you haven't read the article.

You CAN disable it. Just disable the Binge On together with its other perks.