Internet lobby takes aim at T-Mobile's 'Binge On' program

The Internet Association, a trade group representing Internet companies, warned that T-Mobile appears to be slowing traffic to all video streaming services, regardless of whether they are participating in its “Binge On” program that allows customers to stream some video for free. “T-Mobile's new ‘streaming optimization’ program appears to involve throttling of all video traffic, across all data plans, regardless of network congestion,” said Michael Beckerman, the president of the Internet Association. “Reducing data charges for entire classes of applications can be legitimate and benefit consumers, so long as clear notice and choice is provided to service providers and consumers,” he said. “However, a reasonably designed zero-rating program does not include the throttling of traffic for services or consumers that do not participate.”