Streaming Video May Come to AT&T 3G Network, iPhone

LOS ANGELES — Streaming video may come to the iPhone, and this time, a mainstream company, Netflix, may lead the charge.

Savvy iPhone users would point out that streaming video is already available for the device, but unfortunately, it can only be found through apps loaded onto "jalbroken" iPhones — devices whose native operating systems have been overridden.

But at the same time, the iPhone comes bundled with a robust application for YouTube, and although the content isn't live, it certainly streams in qiuickly. What's the difference?

Wi-Fi. To play stream videos, an iPhone user must make use of a nearby Wi-Fi station, otherwise they'd have to rely on AT&T's 3G data network, which doesn't support streaming content.

"AT&T — cue the Imperial March from "Star Wars" — has been very restrictive over streaming video applications in the app store," said SlashFilm's Peter Sciretta, referrring to the foreboding orchestral music that heralded the arrival of villains in the classic movie franchise. "The company stripped the SlingPlayer app from being able to stream over 3G due to concerns that a streaming app might be too much for the cell network."

Enter Netflix, the popular video rental service. According to multiple reports, Netflix is prepping an iPhone app that would give users the power not only to manage their video rental queues, but also to watch some movies and TV shows online. The move may give AT&T the impetus it needs to make its 3G network more friendly to streaming content.

"It seems to me that it is only a matter of time before these type of features really take off on other phones," Sciretta said, suggesting that AT&T may have to give in and add support for streaming video to keep up with competitors.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Ofcom Releases Transparency Reporting Guidelines

Ofcom, the U.K. media regulator, has made public its official guidance detailing how online service providers — including adult sites — will be required to publish annual transparency reports on their efforts to protect children from online harms.

New AV Rules Take Effect for Ireland-Based Sites

Ireland’s Online Safety Code came into force Monday, including a provision requiring adult sites headquartered in Ireland to implement age assurance measures beyond self-declaration.

XBIZ Amsterdam Calls on New Startups for 'Spotlight' Program

XBIZ is pleased to announce that its new “Startup Spotlight” programming will make its European premiere at XBIZ Amsterdam 2025, set to take place Sept. 2-5 at the Jakarta Hotel Amsterdam.

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

JuicyAds Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Fraudulent Domain

JuicyAds has won its World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) case against a website using a similar domain to impersonate the company's site and defraud customers.

Anissa Kate, Jordan Starr Top AEBN for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top-selling stars for the second quarter of 2025, with Anissa Kate landing atop the leaderboard for straight theaters and Jordan Starr heading up the gay rankings.

Show More