AT&T Misleads With DirectTV $35 Streaming Service Price, Steps On Net Neutrality Toes

The internet TV streaming service by AT&T called DirectTV just launched this Monday, and it is already getting some huge headlines, but not in a good way. For starters, it was revealed that the main marketing engine behind the hubbub generated by the service was downright misleading. There’s also the fact that the carrier’s way of providing the service is practically stepping on key aspects of Net Neutrality.

Back when AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson first announced his company’s intention to provide customers with the online streaming service, the public was led to believe that the price of the subscription was going to only be $35 a month, Ars Technica reports. Now it turns out that the actual price is $60 for all of the services previously mentioned.

These services promised included 100 channels as well as premium programs such as HBO’s Game of Thrones. As a result, the hype surrounding the service was considerable. It’s just too bad that everything was a big, misleading marketing scheme.

Stephenson failed to mention that the premium $35 offer was only good for a short period of time; roughly during or several days after the launch of the service. Once that happens, getting 100 channels will require $60 a month and an additional $5 for both HBO and Cinemax.

Aside from the blatantly fraudulent promotion of the service, Business Insider also argues that AT&T is almost in violation of Net Neutrality laws. Streaming through DirectTV doesn’t count towards the data of users since AT&T is the owner of a huge network of broadband connections. This gives it a competitive edge over its competitors like Dish and Sony.

This is a practice that falls under the zero-rating category, which other companies like T-Mobile is also guilty of doing. By employing such a divisive method, AT&T is only inviting the wrath of Net Neutrality advocates.