Verizon Wireless won’t put Google Wallet in Galaxy Nexus
US carrier Verizon Wireless will not be supporting Google’s m-commerce app Google Wallet when it launches the first Android 4.0 device on its network.
Verizon is rumoured to be launching the Samsung Galaxy Nexus in the US market later this week, but Google has confirmed that the carrier has asked it not to include the app in the handset.
Verizon was keen to stress that it is not “blocking” the application – contrary to what reports in the US have stated – as the operator “does not block applications”. Rather, it said that it is just not making it available until it can offer “the best security and user experience”.
“Google Wallet is different from other widely-available m-commerce services,” said Jeffrey Nelson, a spokesperson for Verizon.
“Google Wallet does not simply access the operating system and basic hardware of our phones like thousands of other applications. Instead, in order to work as architected by Google, Google Wallet needs to be integrated into a new, secure and proprietary hardware element.”
One reason for Verizon’s stance could be its own m-commerce interests. Verizon and rivals AT&T and T-Mobile USA are part of a consortium called ISIS, which is planning to launch its own payment system in the US soon.
Earlier this year, Google launched its Nexus S handset which also incorporated Google Wallet, however the app was supported on Sprint’s devices but not on T-Mobile/AT&T’s. The service on Sprint’s Nexus S appeared to work without any problems.
Meanwhile, Verizon claims that it is continuing ongoing discussions with Google on the issue.
I would really like someone to explore the legallity of whether operators CAN do this sort of thing?
Of course they can. They are not obliged in any way to sell something they are not happy selling, and can dictate commercial terms to vendors. Of course, it can backfire, and of course, this is only due to the lack of mobile financial regulation, and even more to the lack of clarity on in which direction this sector should develop.
This stems from the oligopoly that is in North Amercian telecommunications where you have to buy your subscriber device from the service provider. This keeps the devices expensive and allows service providers to dictate to subscribers what they cen have on their device and locks the subscriber to that operator. The regulation should seperate the Subscriber device from the service provider, this will allow users to select the device they want to use without being tied to a service provider. This will promote competition between service providers and encourage service providers to cater to what customers want and not limit them to the contract and device the service provider want to provide.
The regulator broke up AT&T for sinmilar reasons; now is the time for teh regulator to step up to teh plate and force a seperation between the Service provider and the sale of Subscriber devices.