In a move out of T-Mobile’s Un-carrier handbook, Verizon announced Friday that its postpaid customers will now be able to watch content on the carrier’s go90 app without using up their data allowance.
According to Verizon, the move comes as part of go90’s participation in the carrier’s new FreeBee Data 360 sponsored data service. The service, which allows content providers to provide some or all of a customer’s mobile content without it counting against the consumer’s data allowance, launched last month.
Verizon said the new offering will allow customers who have go90 version 1.4 or later to watch go90 video content anytime on the carrier’s LTE network. However, other activity in the app, including commenting and downloads, will count against the customer’s data plan.
Verizon said Friday go90 now includes more than 21,000 titles and more than 50 exclusive series. The app is available on iOS and Android devices.
The promotion seems to be a page straight out of T-Mobile’s playbook, mimicking its free Binge On video steaming service.
Unlike go90, however, Binge On offers streaming from a number of partner services rather than just from one service. Additionally, content providers using Verizon’s Free Bee Data must pay for the service, whereas T-Mobile’s Binge On allows content providers to participate for free.
Launched in November, Binge On has reportedly doubled its users’ video consumption habits, but has come under fire from those who say the service doesn’t meet net neutrality requirements.