YouTube lashes out on T-Mobile's throttling video streams

Jefferson Graham | USA TODAY

LOS ANGELES - YouTube is no fan of T-Mobile's new "Binge-On," program, which promises free, lower quality video streams to subscribers.

Streams from Netflix, Hulu and other video providers don't count against the monthly data cap, but YouTube isn't in the "Binge-On" program. So subscribers who watch YouTube have found their video streams lowered to 480p resolution and service slowed down, in response to heavy viewing.

"Reducing data charges can be good for users, but it doesn't justify throttling all video services, especially without explicit user consent," said YouTube in a statement.

T-Mobile has spent the last two years remaking itself into the consumer friendly "Un-carrier," a company that breaks free from long contracts and other ills that outspoken CEO John Legere routinely rails against.

One of the top consumer complaints--monthly data caps, still is in effect at T-Mobile, as with other carriers.

T-Mobile had no comment on YouTube's concerns, but instead directed USA TODAY to a tweet from Legere, where he said consumers could turn off Binge-On if they wanted. ("BInge-On" is automatically turned on to T-Mobile subscribers. To opt-out, subscribers need to change their settings online, or via the TMobile app.)

@WaltBTIG @WSJ Our customers ❤️ #BingeOn - streaming video w/o hitting their data bucket AND complete control to turn it on/off at will! — John Legere (@JohnLegere) December 22, 2015

The Federal Communications Division adopted new rules in February, called net-neutrality rules, which are set to make sure that Internet providers don't favor one source over another. Roger Sherman, chief of the FCC wireless telecommunications division, wrote to T-Mobile earlier this month, expressing concerns that T-Mobile is excluding providers and asking for the company to show the FCC by January 15 how it's Binge-On program maintains "a free and open Internet while incentivizing investment and innovation."

The Internet Association, a trade group, put out a statement this week blasting T-Mobile's throttling. "The Internet Association applauds the FCC for seeking information on this practice and its potential harm on consumers and online applications and services."