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What you need to know
T-Mobile is leveraging its private 5G network to support the automatic ball-strike (ABS) technology being implemented during Major League Baseball’s Spring Training this year. Additionally, T-Mobile customers can enjoy complimentary access to MLB.tv for the tenth consecutive season, and they will be able to claim this seasonal subscription through the T-Life app starting late next month.
This year marks a significant advancement in the game, as players at Spring Training will have the opportunity to contest ball or strike decisions on pitches through the use of the ABS system. Although this technology will not be applied to the regular season until 2025, its trial implementation in approximately 60% of Spring Training games is a noteworthy development for baseball. As announced on February 21, the ABS system is enabled by T-Mobile’s private 5G network.
T-Mobile has established itself as the official wireless partner of MLB, utilizing its Advanced Network Solution (ANS) to deliver robust 5G connectivity essential for the ABS system. Hawk-Eye cameras, placed strategically around the Spring Training fields, are used to determine the precise boundaries of the strike zone. Data from these cameras is transmitted through T-Mobile’s private network, ensuring fast and reliable communication for the ABS system.
The implementation of 5G technology in corporate applications like this underpins its development, highlighting its capacity for delivering swift and secure connections between wireless devices. T-Mobile has also announced initiatives to apply its private ANS in other innovative projects, such as an autonomous vehicle initiative in Jacksonville, Florida. The ABS system at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa is now the latest example of this technology in action.
For T-Mobile customers who are baseball enthusiasts, the continuation of free MLB.tv access stands out as an exciting offer. Subscribers from T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Home Internet, and Small Business plans can redeem a season-long MLB.tv subscription via the T-Life app between March 25 and March 31, a plan that usually retails for $150.
However, it is important to note that the MLB.tv subscription will not include most in-market games due to blackout restrictions. Fans will still need a cable subscription for those local broadcasts, but the service will cover all out-of-market games during the 2025 season. Given that this offer is complimentary for T-Mobile users, it presents a compelling opportunity. Solutions like VPNs could also help mitigate blackout issues.
T-Mobile reports that access to MLB.tv has become one of its most sought-after perks, with the carrier noting that T-Mobile subscribers streamed an impressive 58 million hours of live baseball during the 2024 season, setting a new record.
Source
www.androidcentral.com