T-Mobile expands list of music providers in its free streaming program
T-Mobile’s popular music streaming program just doubled in size.
The wireless carrier recently launched a program called Music Freedom that allows wireless customers to stream songs from certain music services without using up their wireless data. On Monday, T-Mobile announced that it has more than doubled the lineup of partner music streaming services to include SoundCloud, Google Play Music, Xbox Music and 11 other companies.
The new partners join 13 other services that were already part of T-Mobile’s Music Freedom program, such as Spotify, Rhapsody, Pandora and iTunes Radio.
Through the program, T-Mobile Simple Choice customers stream an unlimited amount of music on T-Mobile’s network without dipping into their bucket of data.
“Not only is Music Freedom available for T-Mobile customers at no extra charge, it’s also completely free for music streaming providers. No backroom deals. No paid prioritization,†T-Mobile said. “Just you and your music.â€
T-Mobile said Music Freedom has been popular among customers since its launch. The number of T-Mobile customers streaming music every day has jumped nearly 300%, and they’re streaming 66 million songs per day -- or roughly 200 terabytes of data -- on T-Mobile’s Data Strong network.
The program has also become a major draw to switch to T-Mobile. In a recent survey of U.S. wireless users, one in four said that Music Freedom alone is a key reason they’ve switched or would switch to the company, T-Mobile said.
In other T-Mobile news, the Federal Communications Commission said Monday that the wireless carrier had agreed to improve disclosures for consumers using mobile speed tests.
T-Mobile will take steps to ensure that customers who run mobile speed tests on the carrier’s network will receive “accurate information about the speed of their broadband Internet connection, even when they are subject to speed reductions pursuant to their data plans,†the agency said.
As part of the agreement, T-Mobile will send text messages to customers that will enable them to more easily get accurate speed information, place direct links to accurate speed tests on customer handsets and revamp its website disclosures to provide clearer information about the speeds customers actually experience.
“The FCC is committed to ensuring that broadband providers are transparent to consumers. I’m grateful T-Mobile has worked with the FCC to ensure that its customers are better informed about the speeds they are experiencing,†FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said in a statement. “Consumers need this information to fully understand what they are getting with their broadband service.â€
T-Mobile’s stock rose 36 cents, or 1.3%, to $28.88.
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