AT&T Stream Saver Will Throttle Mobile Video To 480p By Default, Opt-Out Required

At the beginning of 2017, AT&T will allow a brand new characteristic by default for purchasers utilizing its “hottest plans” for cellular units. Called Stream Saver, the characteristic will successfully cap all streaming video to your smartphone at 480p irrespective of the supply.

For people who nonetheless have plans with knowledge caps, Stream Saver may very well be seen as a good way to take pleasure in the advantages of streaming movies on the go — albeit at decrease resolutions — whereas not digging deeply into your month knowledge allotment. And for people who would relatively stream on the most decision allowed by your machine, you’ll be able to all the time opt-out by logging in to your account utilizing the AT&T web site or by way of the myAT&T app.

AT&T says that it’s going to ship a textual content message to prospects (together with these on AT&T GoPhone plans) alerting them when Stream Saver is out there. Instructions may also be included on learn how to shut off the characteristic if DVD-quality video isn’t to your liking.

According to Tom Keathley, AT&T SVP for Wireless Network Architecture and Design, video accounts for between 40 to 50 % of all knowledge site visitors over its nationwide wi-fi community. So it shouldn’t as a shock that the corporate is in search of methods to alleviate some stress on the community.

“We know our prospects like to be entertained whereas cellular, and Stream Saver lets them take pleasure in extra of what they love, whether or not it is video or one thing else,” mentioned David Christopher, CMO for the AT&T Entertainment Group. “And, they’re in management – it is their selection on learn how to use this modern characteristic.”

While related in idea to “video optimization” packages which might be in impact at T-Mobile and Sprint, Stream Saver nonetheless eats into your month-to-month knowledge allotment, albeit slower, as an alternative of exempting it fully. AT&T can be possible attempting to keep away from the identical destiny as T-Mobile, which has come underneath FCC  scrutiny for skirting web neutrality laws with its Binge On service.