T-Mobile CEO John Legere has fired back over recent criticisms of his company’s Binge On video service. In a lengthy letter published on his blog, Legere, in his typically bombastic manner, claims that the free video streaming program does not permanently slow down data, and says “throttling” claims are just “playing semantics.”
“There are people out there saying we’re “throttling.” They’re playing semantics! Binge On does NOT permanently slow down data nor remove customer control. Here’s the thing, mobile customers don’t always want or need giant heavy data files. So we created adaptive video technology to optimize for mobile screens and stream at a bitrate designed to stretch your data (pssst, Google, that’s a GOOD thing). You get the same quality of video as watching a DVD – 480p or higher – but use only 1/3 as much data (or, of course, NO data used when it’s a Binge On content provider!). Watch more video, use less data from your service plan. That’s an important and valuable benefit!”
Legere also noted that users can opt out of the service at any time, and have “complete control” over their experience:
“Most importantly…YOU, the customer, are always in complete control of your experience. If you decide you WANT the full resolution video, great! Just flip the switch in your account. It’s totally up to you to decide. You can do this as often as you want and it stays set the way you set it.”
T-Mobile also today announced fourteen new Binge On partners that are coming on board. They include: A&E, Lifetime, HISTORY, PlayStation Vue, Tennis Channel Anywhere, FuboTV, Kidoodle TV, Curiosity Stream, Fandor, Newsy, ODK Media, Lifetime Movie Club, FYI and others.
The full list of Binge On partners is as follows:
Legere also called out media outlets for their negative approach to covering the Binge On story during the past few weeks, suggesting some were “using Net Neutrality as a platform to get into the news.”
Since Binge On’s November launch, the service has come under scrutiny from a number of outlets and organizations. Last week saw a report by the Electronic Frontier Foundation that claimed T-Mobile throttles ALL video for its Binge On users, not just video from participating streaming services.
