T-Mobile's prepaid wireless brand MetroPCS is making it easier for users to listen to music without fear of running out of data.
MetroPCS customers who have plans with 3GB or more of 4G LTE data coverage per month will be able to listen to any of 33 music-streaming services free of charge, T-Mobile announced on Monday. The services include popular options like Pandora and Google Play Music, as well as Apple Music. T-Mobile says it will be adding more services to the offering as time goes on.
T-Mobile debuted Music Freedom last year. At the time, CEO John Legere said customers would be able to "stream over 131 million songs every single day."
The trade-off is that video will stream at DVD quality, or 480p. T-Mobile is calling this Data Maximizer, and it can be turned off via MetroPCS account settings.
Those on a MetroPCS family plan are also getting more data for less: 1GB for $25/month; 3GB for $35 (up from 2GB); 5GB for $45 (up from 4GB); or 8GB for $55 (up from 6GB). Those on single lines, however, will be paying $5 more per month.
MetroPCS is launching its new Music Unlimited, Data Maximizer, and plan upgrades starting on Nov. 19.
The news comes just a week after T-Mobile announced a version of Music Freedom, but for streaming video services like Netflix. T-Mobile has called it the Binge On plan, and it allows users to watch HBO Now, Hulu, Sling, and more without eating into monthly data allotments.
The issue of data usage is one that has dogged the wireless industry. Indeed, while most carriers offered unlimited data several years ago, they now sell tiered plans that will penalize or throttle those who exceed data caps.