T-Mobile adds 2GB Simple Choice plans to Binge On, but in a misleading way (UPDATE)

Starting today, all new Simple Choice subscribers signing up for at least 3GB of data with T-Mobile, will be able to stream video from 24 providers to their heart's content. With Binge On, streaming video from Crackle, Encore, ESPN, Fox Sports, Fox Sports Go, HBO Now, HBO Go, Hulu, MLB, Movieplex, NBC Sports, Netflix, Sling TV, Sling Box, SHOWTIME, STARZ, T-Mobile TV, Univision Deportes, Ustream, Vessel, Vevo and VUDU can be viewed without having the data used subtracted from the customer's monthly data allowance.

Originally, T-Moble said that Binge On would be available to Simple Choice subscribers who signed up for 3GB of data or more. But after fielding a number of complaints, the carrier had apparently agreed to allow those with a 2GB data plan (the lowest tier available for Simple Choice) to take part in the new feature. But there is a catch, and it is a major one.

On T-Mobile's website, you will see this sentence: "2GB and more includes Binge On video streaming that lets you watch 3x more video with your high-speed data." Sounds good, right? But all this means is that those subscribed to the 2GB tier of Simple Choice will have their video streamed at 480p. Unlike the other Simple Choice subscribers, they will have the data used to watch these movies and television shows subtracted from their monthly data cap. The 480p speed allows these customers to stream three times the amount of video than they could before, when it was sent to them at 1080p.

Isn't that the kind of semantics game that T-Mobile has been accusing its rivals of playing?


source: T-Mobile via AndroidGuys

UPDATE: T-Mobile has reached out to us to explain their side of the story. First, the carrier denies that it had received complaints about not offering Binge On to customers with a 2GB Simple Choice Plan. This had come from the source of the story. T-Mobile says that it was its  intention to offer the service to all Simple Choice customers.

The carrier feels that it is not misleading customers since the wording that we quoted about the 2GB plan is exactly what these subscribers receive. As a result, T-Mobile disagrees with our statement about there being a major catch with the feature.

So let's explain this in the simplest way possible. Those with a 2GB Simple Choice subscription will still have the data used while streaming video, subtracted from their monthly data plan. Since the data will stream at 480p instead of 1080p, these T-Mobile customers will get to see 3 times the amount of streamed video that they would have been able to see at 1080p.

Those with a 3GB Simple Choice plan or higher, can view all the streaming data they want from participating apps, without it counting against their data allowance. As a result, if you can swing it, your best bet is to subscribe for 3GB or higher.