One benefit of being an AT&T wireless subscriber was being able to stream HBO Max without belonging to a customer’s data space. This is no longer the case.
The new California net neutrality law includes the ban on sponsored data services, known as zero-rating, which previously allowed companies like AT&T to cover the use of data on certain platforms (such as HBO Max) for customers offering other offers such as Internet plans use. As part of the law, internet service providers such as AT&T can not cover the stream data usage of bundled customers, and can no longer offer paid priorities or reduce service speed issues.
“We deplore the inconvenience to customers caused by California’s new ‘net neutrality’ law,” the company wrote in a blog post. “Because the Internet does not recognize state borders, the new law does not only end our ability to California offer customers such free data services, but it also affects our customers in states outside of California. “
While some representatives (and The edge) sees it as an absolute victory, the telecommunications giants like AT&T feel differently. The companies tried to call for a preliminary injunction at the end of February to prevent the bill from succeeding, but Judge John Mendez rejected the request. AT&T calls a state-by-state approach to net neutrality ‘unworkable’ in the blog post today.
“We deliver the content and services our customers want, because that’s what they demand, not because it is mandatory according to regulations,” reads the blog post.
For AT&T specifically, it’s a big deal to promise that HBO Max subscribers who are also AT&T wireless customers can stream without worrying about them. AT&T bought Time Warner in 2018 for $ 85 billion. The goal has always been to start HBO Max and integrate it vertically with its other businesses. AT&T wireless customers can sign up and stream at HBO Max without worrying about data caps, which may be a selling point for some customers who want to switch from Internet service provider and all the Friends in the world.
As AT&T seeks to expand HBO Max’s subscriber base, the company is exploring any opportunity to stream more people and for longer periods. With a cheaper, ad-supported level coming in June, a little extra ‘offer’ could help the business sign up customers and possibly convince people to spend more time on HBO Max instead of Netflix. Making this kind of corporate influence impossible is something Barbara van Schewick, a law professor at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Law School’s Center for Internet and Society, celebrated in a blog post today.
“People should be free to choose what videos they want to watch – whether it’s Netflix, Twitch or the Sunday service of their local church, without the company paying them to try to influence their choices online,” Van writes. Schewick adds that AT&T’s trying to score political points against the protection of net neutrality by lying to the public about the law and its consequences. ”
For AT&T customers, this means that the stream of HBO Max will start counting in your data space. But it also means that it’s a little harder for AT&T to influence customers to use more of their products.