T-Mobile will make Google Messages its standard messaging app for customers on Android devices, provide new backup and storage options via the Google One cloud service, offer an expanded range of Google Pixel devices and YouTube TV as the standard service for Premium -Live introduce television as part of an expanded partnership.
This is a major change for T-Mobile’s TVision service, which launched just a few months ago and includes both live and on-demand content. According to T-Mobile, the existing TVision Live, Live + and Live Zone services will expire on April 29th.
T-Mobile customers get a $ 10 per month discount on YouTube TV, which brings the price down to $ 54.99 per month, and one month of free service.
The Bellevue, Washington-based wireless operator had previously compared its TVision Live TV + service for $ 50 per month to the standard YouTube TV plan for $ 65 per month. However, YouTube TV has additional benefits like unlimited cloud DVR storage, while T-Mobile limits cloud DVR storage to 100 hours. T-Mobile is also partnering with Philo as its base live TV service, which is available for $ 10 per month.
T-Mobile declined to disclose the financial terms of the Google partnership and did not provide the business reasons for the live TV switch.
In a blog post, Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile, described the changes as a “major upgrade” and referred to more channels, better features and device support.
A company spokesman said via email: “Our experience has shown us that customers need a lawyer on site more than ever. You need better ways to discover and access the content you want at affordable prices and combat subscription fatigue. We are more committed than ever to this vision, and while we can adjust our offering strategy by listening to customers and changing market dynamics, we will not stop fighting for what is right for our customers. “
T-Mobile customers who have already subscribed to YouTube TV can receive the monthly discount by canceling their current subscriptions and signing up again with a voucher code.
With the moves announced on Monday afternoon, Google and T-Mobile are teaming up with Apple and its tightly integrated portfolio of hardware, software and services by aligning their interests in the Android ecosystem. Like most things in the tech industry these days, T-Mobile also works with Apple, offering iPhones and other Apple devices to customers.
The expanded contract with Google reflects the growing clout of T-Mobile in the wireless industry after the merger with Sprint last year. The company has more than 100 million subscribers and has become a stronger competitor to AT&T and Verizon, building on its longstanding role as an industry disruptor.
Google and T-Mobile first entered into a partnership in May 2020 to offer comprehensive messaging functions for various wireless networks. In this way, customers can see, for example, when the people they are texting with are entering a reply. It’s a common occurrence for iPhone users chatting with each other through Apple’s Messages app, but it’s still a novelty for many Android users.
T-Mobile and Google say they will work together to expand these messaging capabilities as part of the new partnership. In addition, a press release states that they are “planning to build a messaging business together,” with some focus on new ways for companies to use Google Messages to connect with customers.