T-Mobile announced this morning that they have rebranded Layer3 to TVision Homes and is launching in Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington DC metro areas, as well as Longmont CO. Before today, the service was being tested in Chicago, Dallas, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles.
Similar to their wireless plans, their television plans won’t include contracts and in-fact they will pay off your early termination fees from Dish or DirecTV. Their base plan has 150+ channels including locals and regional sports for $90, plus $10/month per connected TV. For a limited time, that includes a whole-home DVR.
While it’s more expensive than the $40-50/month of Live TV Streaming Services, it has some of the same benefits — no contracts, free cancellation, and no hidden fees. T-Mobile says that as long as you keep your plan, your price will stay the same — so no price bloat in the second year. You also won’t get hit with additional broadcast or regional sports fees.
John Legere, T-Mobile CEO:
“The Un-carrier has already changed wireless for good… and today’s news brings us one step closer to taking on Big Cable.
And with the New T-Mobile, we can do more than just offer home TV service … we can offer millions of Americans more choice and competition for TV AND home broadband. I can’t wait to begin un-cabling cable and giving millions the opportunity to cut the cord with Big Cable forever.”
The company also confirmed that following their deal with Viacom, they are planning to launch a nationwide mobile streaming service later this year. While the exact channel line-up is unknown besides MTV, Comedy Central, and other Viacom channels — it sounds similar to the entertainment-focused skinny bundles by Philo or AT&T WatchTV.