Free HBO Content Makes the AT&T Pipe Smart

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For years, communications service providers like AT&T and Verizon discussed their need to to not be dumb pipe sellers but instead add value with various services. It turns out one of the major ways to add value to a dumb pipe is with content – lots of it. Comcast owns NBC and Universal, Verizon owns Yahoo and AOL and AT&T owns DirectTV.

Thanks to T-Mobile and Sprint, there is real price competition in the wireless space and differentiating can be more difficult. Tremendous credit goes to to T-Mobile for immediately offering Pokemon Go with no data charges – soon enough to capitalize on the trendy new game.

Amazingly, carriers are more nimble than they’ve ever been. 

Tomorrow, AT&T will stop charging Unlimited Plus customers for HBO. The plan allows for high-definition video, no speed restrictions and 10 gigabytes of mobile hotspot access. It costs $90 for one line, $145 for two lines and $20 for each additional line.

The company is touting that they are the only company to include HBO in their unlimited wireless plan and they seem to be correct.

Here are more details:

  • If you currently subscribe to HBO through an AT&T video service – DIRECTV, DIRECTV NOW or U-verse TV – HBO will now be included for no additional charg.
  • If you subscribe to an AT&T video service but not HBO, you’ll automatically receive access to the premium HBO channels as part of your wireless plan.
  • If you don’t subscribe to an AT&T video service, you can access your HBO content through the DIRECTV NOW and HBO Go apps

On top of HBO included and a $25 video credit, the AT&T Unlimited Plus wireless plan has unlimited data, talk, and text, 10 GB of Wi-Fi tethering per smartphone (after 10 GB, max speed 128Kbps), and the option to connect a tablet and other devices. After 22GB of data usage per line, AT&T may slow speeds.

What does this mean for telecom? Lots more base stations will be needed – hetnets, small cells and DAS to support massive amounts of usage. Its the only way to keep up with demand. The challenge will be how to pay for more of this equipment as margins shrink.

And speaking of hetnets, Communications 20/20 will be held July 18-20, 2017 at Caesars Palace,

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Las Vegas, Nevada and will focus on the next wave of technology and innovation that will transcend the importance of person to person contact, disrupting the future of the entire communications industry. Communications 20/20 will provide vital knowledge and insight through unique programming, hands on training, live demos, keynotes, exhibits and networking events.

This unique conference will allow for individuals and companies entrenched in the traditional communications ecosystem that want to understand how to adapt and profit from the new software-defined communications trends that will permeate through all industries and enterprises.

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