A few days ago, T-Mobile announced new unlimited data family plans offering free Netflix. Now, competitor AT&T also launched a free HBO subscription to all its wireless customers through its unlimited plans. AT&T has initiated this back in April with its premium tier wireless plan, the Unlimited Plus. However, the latter has also made the move to offer HBO for free to those who are subscribed to the Unlimited Choice plan. Both new and existing subscribers have access to the option starting on Friday, September 15.
Free HBO access
The AT&T Unlimited Choice plan currently offers unlimited data, talk, and text for $60 per month.
If subscribed to a group or family plan for four, each line costs under $40. An additional $10 would merit the user access to 25,000 on-demand titles as well as 60 channels for a live stream. The online video package comes with DirecTV Now's 'Live a Little' video package. These features usually retail for $35 and under the AT&T offer, the offer is definitely a good deal. In addition, the customers still get a $25 credit per month toward AT&T video services, which can now be used with U-verse TV and DirecTV. This feature used to be available only for Plus customers who exclusively used DirecTV Now.
A competitive market
The added feature of this plan comes as the wireless market proves to be more competitive.
Considering how carriers are competing to please each other's customers by snagging deals on Apple's latest phones, it is expected for telco companies to want to lure more customers. Further, there is a huge effort in retaining their subscriber base as the competition among the service providers grows.
Things to consider
The offer is truly tempting to wireless subscribers; however, there are a few things to consider before taking advantage of the promotional offer.
First, the customer must spring for an Unlimited Plus plan, which is priced at $90 or more on a monthly basis. As an alternate option, AT&T is extending a bonus HBO access to Unlimited Choice subscribers on September 15. The expense for cell phone service will cost $60 but will provide the user the same streaming TV.
One catch to consider would have to be the downgrading of video quality.
For the Choice plan, the streaming video is downgraded to DVD quality and only allows a maximum speed of 3 megabits per second. A freebie like this on a low-cost tier would naturally have its downside. The cap on the cellular data as well as the limitations of a maximum resolution of 480p might compromise the viewing experience.
