T-Mobile Will Let Customers Stream HBO, Netflix and ESPN Without Racking Up Data Charges

T-Mobile will allow some subscribers to stream video from 24 popular services without burning through their data caps.

The nation’s third-largest wireless carrier, looking to gain competitive advantage over rivals Sprint, AT&T and Verizon, is giving customers the ability to stream videos on their smartphones and tablets without generating data charges. Subscribers can choose among popular streaming services including Netflix, HBO Now, HBO Go, Watch ESPN, Fox Sports and Hulu. Notable omissions from the list include YouTube, the world’s biggest video site, and Facebook and Snapchat, which have both made big pushes into video. “Video streams free,” T-Mobile CEO John Legere said. “Binge on. Start watching your shows, stop watching your data.” Legere’s offer applies to customers who pay for at least 3 GB of data a month.

The promotion is certain to generate complaints from critics who think it violates network neutrality principles, and implicitly favors video services that have agreements with T-Mobile. But Legere brushed aside net neutrality concerns, arguing that his carrier will treat all video services equally when it comes to delivering their data.