Verizon considering getting into the mobile streaming game, completely disregards net neutrality

The wireless industry is getting increasingly competitive, so we’re starting to see carriers branch out into other markets to try to look for other avenues of making money. AT&T wants DirecTV, and it looks like Verizon wants to throw their hat into the ring for video streaming services.

Verizon has dabbled in live content before, especially with sports partnerships. So far, it hasn’t done as well as hoped, especially against giants like Netflix. That might change with their upcoming video streaming service, which Verizon says is completely unlike anything else that’s currently being offered.

They haven’t revealed any specific details, but the company is apparently looking into several models for this upcoming OTT (over-the-top) service that will supposedly be available to anyone with an internet connection. One of those models would involve an ad-supported streaming service that wouldn’t eat into Verizon customers’ data caps. On paper, that sounds great, but that’s 100% against the spirit of net neutrality and would be a horrible precedent for other video streaming services if it caught on. Two other models include a standard video stream that does use up data, as well as one with a premium charge.

This move is pretty similar to T-Mobile’s Music Freedom service, which allows you to stream music over the carrier’s network without incurring data charges. You can at least argue in favor of T-Mobile by saying that they don’t actually own those music streaming services, and it’s a pretty inclusive list. If Verizon rolled out a video streaming service like this, it would be in Verizon’s interest to promote this over other services like Netflix and would completely cut out any smaller start-ups (or DirecTV streaming, for example, since it’s owned by rival AT&T) from being able to be competitive, especially to customers with low data caps.

This move makes Verizon’s acquisition of AOL make way more sense, too. Although, like lots of Verizon’s other services, there’s a pretty good chance this one launches dead in the water and never gains any traction with consumers. Anybody remember the Verizon App Store?

source: Cnet

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