In a move that's certain to challenge the data-usage caps of many subscribers, Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) has upgraded its TV Everywhere app to play on cellular networks.
Through destinations including Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) iTunes store and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) Play, the operator quietly released new versions of its Xfinity TV Go app for iOS and Android that expands the authenticated playability of the service's collection of live and VOD programming from just Wi-Fi.
As Multichannel News notes, iPad users who have legacy versions of the Xfinity TV Go app are receiving a pop-up message saying, "Great news!. Now you can stream and download over Wi-Fi or your cellular data network. (Data charges may apply.)"
The limitations of ubiquitous Wi-Fi broadband access have been a key roadblock to TV Everywhere's reach. "There are 19,000 American cities, and we are a long way off before [free public Wi-Fi] is available everywhere, and I don't think it ever will be," said Penthera executive Melani Griffith, making a pitch for downloadable multiscreen distribution at a technology conference in June.
Data caps aside, integrating services into cellular networks could provide a nifty workaround for the pay-TV industry.
For more:
- see this Multichannel News story
Related links:
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