T-Mobile debuts 'Binge On' free video streaming program, double data allotments

The "Uncarrier's" latest attempt at shaking up the U.S. cellular industry again involves content consumption and its traditionally detrimental effect on data caps. With Binge On, T-Mobile will allow any customer with a 3GB data plan to stream mobile-optimized video from a set list of apps without it counting against their monthly data allotment.

Binge On does come with a few caveats, however, the most questionable being a video resolution cap of "DVD or better," which goes all the way down to 480p. The company said customers are unlikely to tell the difference between 480p and higher resolutions like 720p or even 1080p, though that claim is up for debate.

Content selection is also somewhat limited, but most users will be happy to see big names like Netflix, HBO, Showtime, Hulu and Sling TV on T-Mobile's list of participating services. Additional apps will be added in the coming months. For other providers, T-Mobile said Binge On's optimization will let users watch up to three times more video than ordinary streaming.

In addition to Binge On, T-Mobile is doubling its Simple Choice subscription tiers, with the entry level offering moving from 1GB to 2GB of 4G LTE data for $50 per month. The carrier's $60 and $70 plans jump to 6GB and 10GB data allotments per month, respectively, while add-on lines get a boost to 2GB for an extra $10 monthly fee. Finally, the unlimited data tier remains priced at $80 per month, but subscribers will see tethered data, or mobile hotspot, allotments doubled to 14GB.

T-Mobile Binge On and its new pricing tiers are slated to take effect on Sunday.