Verizon Tells Us Why they Block Google Wallet; Due to Secure Element Requirement?

| December 10, 2012 | 5 Replies

    Currently, Google Wallet only comes on devices bought on contract from one US carrier. And that is Sprint. The others, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile are all backing ISIS. Which is their competitor to Google Wallet. Initially Google Wallet was available on Verizon devices, but it eventually got blocked from the Play Store which forced many users to sideload the apk, and various other methods. Well a Verizon customer (we’re assuming he’s one of their customers) complained to the FCC about it. And we’ve got an image of Verizon’s response below.

    In Verizon’s response, they state that the Google Wallet app is requesting access to the devices’ secure element. Verizon also goes on to say that apps like Starbucks, Square and Paypal do not require the secure element and is why they are not blocked. Of course Verizon is going to try their best to dispel any allegations against them for anti-trust. As well as conflict of interest since their support is behind ISIS, which is currently only available in two test markets.

    Verizon goes on to say that “Google is free to offer its Google Wallet application in a manner that doesn’t require integration with the secure element, and many payment applications do just that”. So it appears the fight between Verizon and Google is heating up more and more. First was the whole Galaxy Nexus thing that started late last year, and continued with the very late update to Android 4.1.1. Now Google Wallet is in the spotlight.

    So whether or not there is a way for Google to make Google Wallet utilize a “special process” on Verizon devices so it doesn’t require the secure element, Verizon is still coming under fire on this one. And whether or not Verizon is in the right or wrong, Verizon apparently feels they are in the right and isn’t afraid to tell everyone.

    Those of you on Verizon, would you rather Verizon back ISIS or Google Wallet? Personally, I’d rather them back Google Wallet. That way everything is in one spot. And ISIS requires a new SIM card while Google Wallet does not. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

    Source: XDA

      Category: Android News

      About the Author ()

      I've been a huge fan of Android since the OG Motorola Droid hit back in 2009 on Verizon, since then I have gone on to own some of the best devices we've seen including the HTC EVO 4G, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 7, Nexus 4 and the Samsung Galaxy S3. I also have a passion for writing about anything having to do with Android.
      • Levi Wilcox

        The big question is now will ISIS not have secure element integration?

      • Michael Richardson aka Rainabb

        Google Wallet all the way and Verizon WILL have to address the real issue that those “other apps” are fundamentally different in that they do not directly integrate with existing POS systems the way NFC and Google Wallet does. That’s where I think they’re really end up in trouble especially when ISIS DOES work with those systems. I think that will be what shows Verizon’s behavior as unacceptable.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Lloyd/100001275248281 David Lloyd

        I have Verizon, and have not had any problems purchasing apps from the Play Store. It goes directly to Google Wallet.

        • http://www.androidheadlines.com/ Alexander Maxham

          We are talking about the Google Wallet app, the one that uses NFC.

      • http://twitter.com/Simo9000 S. H. Morris

        I use the Google wallet apk everyday on my Verizon galaxy nexus. If they find a way to block it I will be a sprint customer. I don’t want ISIS. ISIS requires merchants to pay more per transaction so the credit card companies make more. It is going to fail.

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