T-Mobile to let customers stream videos for free
The new 'Binge On' program makes this possible
T-Mobile clients can now clear any recorded video backlog on their smartphones with a new program. The new "Binge On" program allows consumers to stream videos directly from HBO Go, Netflix and others.
T-Mobile is hard at work adding more streaming services to its new program. It’s expected more will added to its list over time. What makes this new program exceptionally interesting is that it doesn’t eat up a user's data plan.
It must be noted, however, the main reason why data isn’t unnecessarily used is that videos are optimized at a lower quality, according to T-Mobile CEO John Legere. Legere also told the during the carrier's "Uncarrier X" event this new service is actually a free addition to T-Mobile clients using the company's higher end 3 GB data plan tier.
This doesn’t necessarily mean customers using the 1 GB plan won’t be able to access this new program. They still can avail of T-Mobile's optimized stream, which will give them three times as many videos to watch than usual. The edge that 3 GB users have over 1 GB customers is that the latter can’t access unlimited videos, according to CNET.
"Embracing free video is the riskiest 'Uncarrier' move T-Mobile has launched yet," said Jan Dawson, an analyst from Jackdaw Research. "But, it is also potentially the most disruptive."
T-Mobile's "Uncarrier" announcements are typically designed to shake up the industry. Its "Binge On" program that will officially go into effect on Sunday eliminates one of the most pressing concerns besetting T-Mobile users with limited data allocation.
Video streaming happens to be the biggest user of data. Streaming a one-hour TV show episode can bring the user's monthly total to 14 GB of data, which is in excess of the user's standard plan of only 5 GB a month, according to the official website of T-Mobile.
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