Some Google Android users are reporting that they can no longer download Internet tethering apps from the Android Marketplace, especially those with AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile service.
The mobile applications in question give Android devices owners the ability to access the Internet on their laptops using the wireless connections on their phones. These apps, most of which are free, include PDAnet, Wireless Tether and MyWi. Most of the big American carriers offer Internet tethering, but it typically costs $15-$25 per month, depending on data usage and carrier.
Reports say that Internet tethering apps have disappeared for AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile customers. Sprint seems to be the lone exception in the U.S. Our own testing shows that many Internet tethering apps have simply disappeared, at least on the Verizon and AT&T networks. This doesn’t mean users can’t run them, though — they simply can’t download them from the Android Marketplace. Anyone can still download the apps directly from the web or install them on a rooted phone.
Google told ZDNet that it isn’t officially blocking tethering apps. However, Google does say that Android users on specific carriers may not be able to find the app in the Android Marketplace. In other words, Google isn’t denying that certain apps are being blocked by the carriers.
It’s no surprise that the carriers want to crack down on unauthorized tethering. AT&T even started sending letters to certain customers asking them to stop tethering or pay for AT&T’s tethering feature. It’s not clear how involved Google is in blocking these apps. Pressure from the carriers may have forced Google’s hand, or perhaps the carriers found a way to block tethering apps on their own.
Have you seen tethering apps get blocked by your carrier? Let us know in the comments.
Via Droid Life and PCWorld
More About: android, att, Google, T-Mobile, Tethering, verizon
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