Since AT&T launched DIRECTV NOW they have offered unlimited streaming on AT&T Wireless. If you had AT&T Wireless you could stream DIRECTV NOW all you want, but streaming Sling TV and Hulu would count against your data cap.
Now a new net neutrality bill just passed in California that would ban the practice of offering unlimited data on some services but not others. This would make AT&T offering unlimited data for DIRECTV NOW but metering services like Hulu or Philo illegal in the state. The law would allow all providers like AT&T to say all video services are data free but it won’t let them just pick one. WIth this new law, AT&T cannot favor their service over a competitors service.
Often when laws like this pass it affects other states. It is not unusual for a service to just end features that are banned in some states. It is also possible that AT&T may try to limit it only for people living in California or traveling there but that would be a complicated fix that would take time to implement.
The new net neutrality law has passed the California Senate but is still waiting for the governor’s signature. If signed, the new rules will go into effect in December 2018. Look for companies to challenge this new law in court, and it is possible this will delay the new rules.
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