T-Mobile adds 14 new services to Binge On while pushing back against net neutrality criticism

07.01.2016
T-Mobile is tacking on 14 new streaming services to its popular, yet controversial, Binge On program. 

The nation’s third-largest carrier now has a total of 38 apps on board, including powerhouses like Netflix, Hulu, and WatchESPN. The new members are:

The program, which allows you to stream from the approved services without eating into your high-speed data cap, has come under some fire from privacy groups. The Electronic Frontier Foundation recently tested Binge On and concluded T-Mobile has simply started throttling all video services, regardless of whether or not they’re signed up for the program.

That’s why YouTube recently complained that its videos were being downgraded to 480p even though it doesn’t participate in Binge On. T-Mobile has defended the service, with CEO John Legere responding to the criticism in another of his infamous videos.

Why this matters: Binge On is beginning to feel like the same type of bait-and-switch tactics that CEO John Legere regularly accuses AT&T and Verizon (or in his words, “Dumb and Dumber”) of employing. The concept as introduced to the public sounds very friendly for subscribers. But if the carrier is really just throttling everyone’s video and claiming it’s doing us some giant favor, it’s hard to see that as any type of win for consumers.

(www.greenbot.com)

Derek Walter

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