Electronic Frontier Foundation: Binge On is throttling

[raino]

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/...-bingeon-optimization-just-throttling-applies

It isn't just opinion, they actually tested this. And the results are pretty damning.

 

[Ry]

It turns out T-Mobile really is throttling all video through BingeOn, according to the EFF | Android Central

Uncarrier.

 

[Almeuit]

Yep this is what I feared when it was announced. They'd go beyond what they said they'd do. The FCC should jump on them for this.

On that note.. For me I've had binge on disabled on both my lines the day it came out.

 

[delrey1900]

Does it not state that the resolution of the videos will be 480p regardless of settings and signal? That right there should've raised a flag even before this 'news' was released.

 

[raino]

Yep this is what I feared when it was announced. They'd go beyond what they said they'd do. The FCC should jump on them for this.

And they basically called Google/YouTube liars over this.

The only "optimization" going on, as per the EFF, benefits TMO and not the customer. Uncarrier.

Does it not state that the resolution of the videos will be 480p regardless of settings and signal? That right there should've raised a flag even before this 'news' was released.

Yes, but the understanding was that it would come to you at maximum speed available (just downgraded in quality to 480p.) But they're actually also throttling it down to 1.5mbps--even when a service is not a Binge On participant:

The first result of our test confirms that when Binge On is enabled, T-Mobile throttles all HTML5 video streams to around 1.5Mps, even when the phone is capable of downloading at higher speeds, and regardless of whether or not the video provider enrolled in Binge On.

 

[Almeuit]

And they basically called Google/YouTube liars over this.

The only "optimization" going on, as per the EFF, benefits TMO and not the customer. Uncarrier.

Yeah it definitely benefits them since they have less bandwidth going around. It'll be interesting to see if they respond. I really hope the FCC gets involved since it shouldn't be doing this.. And some customers would never be the wiser on why their YouTube videos just buffered all the time.

 

[clevin]

Just turn it off if you want HD.

 

[20degrees]

Just turn it off if you want HD.

That don't work. I turned it off and it still buffers like crazy. All 3 lines - unlimited data.

 

[Almeuit]

That don't work. I turned it off and it still buffers like crazy. All 3 lines - unlimited data.

What's buffering (which service)? I've watched a bunch of xfinity lately (10+ GB in the past 2 days) with no issue. I've had "Binge On" turned off the whole time though.

 

[20degrees]

What's buffering (which service)? I've watched a bunch of xfinity lately (10+ GB in the past 2 days) with no issue. I've had "Binge On" turned off the whole time though.

YouTube.

 

[raino]

John Legere has replied* via a video. Ironically, in a resolution his Binge On customers can't watch without getting "optimized" down: 1080p.

T-Mobile adds 14 video services to Binge On program, CEO defends against throttling claims | CrackBerry.com

 

[Ry]

BingeOn is flawed and John Legere needs to stop defending it | Android Central

You see, Mr. Legere, you are offering a service that is on by default and causes problems with services you aren't partnered with.

T-Mobile CEO John Legere got caught lying by the EFF, and now he’s totally losing it | The Verge

"Part B of my answer is, who the **** are you, anyway, EFF?" Legere said. "Why are you stirring up so much trouble, and who pays you?"

The uncarrier is unhinged.

 

[Ry]

EFF is not your BFF - John Legere

 

[raino]

"Part B of my answer is, who the **** are you, anyway, EFF?" Legere said. "Why are you stirring up so much trouble, and who pays you?"

Verizon/AT&T/Sprint, obviously. Just like RootMetrics, the FCC, The Verge, BGR, Fierce Wireless, YouTube...

Edit: from Reddit:

T-Mobile has an internal program that lets us donate a portion of our paychecks to charity and T-Mobile will match that.

Who pays the EFF? You do John, you do.

 

[Almeuit]

Yeah this isn't looking good. His attempt at defense is actually making it way worse.

 

[LeoRex]

This is a lot of furor over an option that takes a couple of clicks to turn off.

 

[20degrees]

This is a lot of furor over an option that takes a couple of clicks to turn off.

The thing is, it didn't turn off. YouTube on all 3 of my family lines buffer YouTube even with the option turned "off".

 

[raino]

This is a lot of furor over an option that takes a couple of clicks to turn off.

Justifiably so. Most of us didn't turn it on, or ask TMO to do it for us.

And I can speak for myself, I was never informed that my lines were having it turned on automatically. In fact, when BO first came around, I checked my account and the toggle wasn't there for me, so I thought I was somehow "safe" (excluded.) But a few days ago, I happened to check again while paying my bill and yep--there it was.

 

[Kelly Kearns]

I generally don't have a speed higher than 20 mb and I'm not having any issues since Binge On. There is no buffering and I haven't noticed a bit of difference.

 

[LeoRex]

Justifiably so. Most of us didn't turn it on, or ask TMO to do it for us. And I can speak for myself, I was never informed that my lines were having it turned on automatically.

I watched the announcement, they made it clear that it would be turned on for everyone a week or so after the event... it was pretty well publicized and Legere talked about how the picked 'opt-out' so people would give it a look before disabling it. Had it been 'opt-in' the percentage of people who checked it out would have been extremely small. Maybe a broadcast SMS message or email was warrented (though, I can't really remember if they did that or not to be honest).

The thing is, it didn't turn off. YouTube on all 3 of my family lines buffer YouTube even with the option turned "off".

If that's the case, you are most likely having issues outside of Binge On.... I haven't read of any complaints that it sticks no matter what the setting is.