Google Accuses T-Mobile of Throttling YouTube Traffic Google has accused T-Mobile of throttling YouTube traffic, despite the fact that Google is not participating in T-Mobile's Binge On service. As we noted last month, T-Mobile's new Binge On service exempts video services from the company's data caps, but throttles that content back to 480p. T-Mobile tap-danced around net neutrality complaints in two ways: having the service be disabled or enabled by consumers, and letting any company sign up.

Still, some have argued that the very act of injecting itself into the middle of the consumer experience still technically violates the FCC's new net neutrality rules, which prohibiting discriminating based on the type of traffic delivered. But Google (Alphabet) has complained to the Wall Street Journal (registration required) that all Internet video is now throttled by default unless a user opts out: quote: YouTube, which is owned by Alphabet Inc., said T-Mobile is effectively throttling, or degrading, its traffic. “Reducing data charges can be good for users, but it doesn’t justify throttling all video services, especially without explicit user consent,” a YouTube spokesman said. T-Mobile apparently didn't much feel like commenting on Google's complaints, outside of lauding itself for its Binge On program: quote: T-Mobile declined to address YouTube’s complaints. In a statement, the No. 3 U.S. carrier by subscribers said its customers “love having free streaming video that never hits their data bucket” and like “both the quality of their video experience and the complete control they have." YouTube was not one of the Binge On Update: Edited third paragraph to clarify that Google's complaint is that all users (and YouTube) are throttled by default, even though YouTube hasn't agreed to be part of the program. The report previously and incorrectly claimed that YouTube's complaint involved video continuing to be throttled even if a user opted out of the Binge On program. T-Mobile apparently didn't much feel like commenting on Google's complaints, outside of lauding itself for its Binge On program:YouTube was not one of the Binge On launch partners for reasons detailed here . Between Comcast exempting its own streaming service from caps, and now YouTube's complaint -- it appears the FCC is going to be having a very busy 2016.: Edited third paragraph to clarify that Google's complaint is that all users (and YouTube) are throttled by default, even though YouTube hasn't agreed to be part of the program. The report previously and incorrectly claimed that YouTube's complaint involved video continuing to be throttled even if a user opted out of the Binge On program.







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Most recommended from 90 comments

patt2k

join:2009-01-16 8 recommendations patt2k Member Binge on Less then 2 weeks ago I switched to T-Mobile from Verizon and I love it. However one thing I realized was that my YouTube videos wouldn't go over 200 KB/so then I posted on howardforums and people suggested I could have binge on turned on and indeed it was ( i have unlimited add on line for 40$ ).



After I turned it off if was all good ever since,I mainly use only youtube background play to listen to music.

kdwycha

join:2003-01-30

Ruskin, FL 8 recommendations kdwycha Member And it begins... Hopefully there will be more major companies filing complaints against these providers Zero Rating applications. It's possible it may nip that practice in the bud before it blossoms into full blown disregard for net neutrality.



In my opinion zero rating is a net neutrality violation and providers are testing the waters to see how far they can go.

amarryat

Verizon FiOS

join:2005-05-02

Marshfield, MA 6 recommendations amarryat Member Yes they were



»blogs.wsj.com/digits/201 ··· chnology "YouTube was not one of the Binge On launch partners, and the reasons why were never detailed by T-Mobile."' notonto

join:2015-06-26 5 recommendations notonto Member I want my dumb pipe back TMO! Zero rating, higher prices, complaints of throttling, seems TMO wants us to have a comcastic New Year!

Vchat20

Landing is the REAL challenge

Premium Member

join:2003-09-16

Columbus, OH 5 recommendations Vchat20 Premium Member Missing details If you guys go back and read the original Binge On press release it specifically stated that even for video services that were not signed on, they'd still be throttled accordingly with Binge On enabled. Says it in black and white. Apparently everyone here and Google as well seem to have completely missed that.



FYI I am not an apologist for any side in this case but am just pointing out facts. And if you have a problem with it, it's dead simple to disable. Turn off the Binge On option and you can watch at full 1080p if you wish at the trade of consuming much more bandwidth. Take your pick. jzmax73

join:2011-05-13

Tampa, FL 4 recommendations jzmax73 Member John Legere doesn't use the phrase throttling He prefers to call it "schlonging."

powerspec88

Premium Member

join:2007-03-11

Lees Summit, MO 4 recommendations powerspec88 Premium Member Noticed this as well. When Binge On started, watching a YouTube video via like Facebook did nothing but buffer like it was being throttled to 480p. Once I have turned off Binge On, this has gone away so they are doing something with the traffic.

battleop

join:2005-09-28

00000 2 recommendations battleop Member If this accusation was against AT&T or Verizon... It's bad when AT&T and Verizon do this but apparently OK when T-Mobile does it?