Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Android
    • Android
    • Development
    • IT Management
    • Mobile
    • Servers

    Google Hides Tethering Apps on Android Market for Carriers

    By
    Clint Boulton
    -
    May 4, 2011
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Google is hiding free tethering applications from users of its Android smartphones at the behest of carriers such as Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile, according to gadget blogs.

      Tethering capabilities let people connect their laptops to the Web via their smartphones’ Internet connections. The extra devices place added demands on carriers’ 3G and 4G networks.

      Verizon and AT&T charge wireless subscribers $20 extra per month for tethering. T-Mobile charges $15.

      Google’s Android Market includes free tethering apps such as Wireless Tether and PdANet. However, those apps conflict with Google’s Android Market rules and so carriers have the right to ask Google to remove them or at least make them inaccessible to users.

      This is apparently what has happened. Droid Life noted Wireless Tether was inaccessible from a Samsung Nexus S running on AT&T, and a Motorola Xoom tablet on Verizon. Former Engadget writer Chris Ziegler noted PdANet was blocked on devices such as Verizon’s Motorola Droid and a T-Mobile LG G2 smartphone.

      Verizon and AT&T both declined to say whether they asked Google to darken the tethering apps on the Market, referring eWEEK to Google on the matter.

      While a Google spokesperson declined to say whether the carriers requested it remove the apps, Google did point to rules that suggested Wireless Tether and PdANet violate Android Market Developer Program Policies, which state:

      “Applications must not create unpredictable network usage that has an adverse impact on a user’s service charges or an Authorized Carrier’s network. Applications also may not knowingly violate an Authorized Carrier’s terms of service for allowed usage or any Google terms of service.”

      The way Google handles such violations, according to a person familiar with the Market, is that the apps are filtered or made unavailable to the users of any carrier that alerts Google to the conflict.

      There is a reason why neither carriers are referring to Google and why Google is referring to its Android Market rules: the issue is tricky for any vendor or carrier who has argued for federated access to applications under the mantle of network neutrality.

      Google fought particularly hard for this. As Ziegler pointed out. Google pushed Verizon to the brink in the 700MHz wireless spectrum three years ago. Google said at the time:

      “Google’s top priority heading into the auction was to make sure that bidding on the so-called ‘C Block’ reached the $4.6 billion reserve price that would trigger the important ‘open applications’ and ‘open handsets license conditions.”

      Clint Boulton

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×