T-Mobile US has introduced “TVision Home,” its over the top linear video service for fixed network customers, in eight U.S. markets, apparently where its Layer 3 networks already had been available.
T-Mobile US also announced it will launch nationwide streaming services later in 2019, presumably based on use of T-Mobile’s own 5G network as well as an OTT app.
TVision Home 275-plus available channels and over 35,000 on-demand movies and shows. On-screen social content, a personalized home screen and DVR for each user, smart speaker voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, and access to security cameras are part of the service.
TVision Home launches with apps for Pandora, iHeartRadio, XUMO, CuriosityStream, Toon Goggles and HSN.
There also is a bit of regulatory arbitrage. Fixed network service providers are required to pay local fees and taxes that TVision Home is not liable for. That allows it to sell a service costing less than cable or telco suppliers.
The implications are clear enough. T-Mobile US is getting into the linear video business, to compete with cable TV operators and telcos. At the same time, it is getting into the live TV streaming business (linear, rather than on-demand), with on-demand video services such as Netflix also accessible as part of the app.
The bigger question is whether 5G mobile TV, in this form, also will begin to show consumer appetite for linear video consumed on mobile devices. Mobile service providers have offered the ability to listen to broadcast radio and TV for decades, but with no real traction. The shift to the full palette of managed video channels is new, though.
Among the questions is how some consumers might start to use the service, casting to TVs, for example.
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