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T-Mobile Blocking Google Wallet to Benefit Isis
The 'Uncarrier' Arbitrarily Declares Own Payment System the 'Industry Standard'

For much of the last year, Verizon Wireless has been blocking Google Wallet, claiming that its use of a device's "secure element" is what has prohibited them from letting consumers use the app. Numerous people have explained in great detail (including the lawyer that filed the original complaint with the FCC) that this excuse is simply being used to keep Google Wallet permanently stuck in approval purgatory, while the wireless industry's own, competing Isis platform sees no such restrictions.

Using your gatekeeper status to keep a competing service stuck in technical approval limbo for eternity is a clear network neutrality violation. It's also something the FCC should be criticizing, but has been entirely mute on (right alongside AT&T's block of video chat services to push users toward unlimited data plans).

T-Mobile has also been blocking Google Wallet on many unrooted devices, and like Verizon has only given half-hearted explanations, never simply acknowledging that they want to give their own Isis platform an unfair advantage. Until Now. Sort of. Our friends at TMONews point out that T-Mobile's official Twitter account made it pretty clear that Google Wallet was simply being blocked for the sake of Isis, after a user asked why the payment service was blocked on his Galaxy Note 2:
quote:
Click for full size
All it took was a simple tweet from a customer to the main @tmobile Twitter account asking why Google Wallet doesn’t work on the Note II. T-Mobile’s response? "We’re supporting ISIS, the wireless payment standard for mobile devices." Which is great, except I don’t remember ISIS actually being dubbed the mobile payment "standard." In fact, I don't recall any of the mobile payment services out there being labeled as the de facto industry "standard."
In other words, we're declaring what is or isn't the industry standard, instead of letting users decide that for themselves. While you'd expect this kind of behavior from an incumbent like Verizon, T-Mobile just got done informing everyone how unlike the major carriers they supposedly are. Except, apparently, when it comes to using your power as network gatekeeper to block services that compete with your own.
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FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

T-Mobile service tech will be fired

The T-Mobile service employee that responded to that tweet is sure to be fired. Telling the truth is an unpardonable offense when dealing with customers.

delusion ftl
@slcgov.com

delusion ftl

Anon

Re: T-Mobile service tech will be fired

I suppose this is slightly better than what vzw or att would have said:

Verizon: Samsung did it. It's all their fault

ATT: Well if an app comes pre installed vs downloaded we have rules about how they work or interact, and if the customer has account type 212-3B then they can do the contents of paragraph 3iii. Have we bored or confused you enough so that you give up on your question?
wkm001
join:2009-12-14

wkm001

Member

Re: T-Mobile service tech will be fired

No, Verizon and Google are pointing the finger at each other.

»www.dropbox.com/s/ylv6ft ··· /FCC.bmp

paulej
@rr.com

paulej

Anon

Re: T-Mobile service tech will be fired

What this says is that "no, we're not blocking Google Wallet, but we changed the hardware so it will not work."

It's still Verizon's fault.
DanteX
join:2010-09-09

DanteX to FFH5

Member

to FFH5
So your saying Deceiving the customer should be allowed? What ever happened to being honest and upfront? If your product is that horrible you need to lie about then you need to take a look at why your in business to begin with. Lieing to your customers is not good customer service
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: T-Mobile service tech will be fired

I think the point is that T-mobile has a PR department (and legal team) responsible for company talking points. I'm guessing "supporting ISIS" isn't the company's official public position and the rep feeding that Twitter account likely overstepped his/her authority.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

T-Mobile is falling in line with the "other" carriers

This is sad. T-Mobile was the only national GSM cell provider that permitted Google Wallet unrestricted.

I had been considering switching from Verizon to T-Mobile for their better business policies like Google Wallet and their embrace of non-contract pricing policies. I also like their HD Voice capabilities.

T-Mobile is taking a turn for the worse. Maybe they are preparing for another attempt at a buyout when the business climate and next administration comes on line in a few years.

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList

Premium Member

Re: T-Mobile is falling in line with the "other" carriers

Google Wallet works just fine on my Nexus 4 on T-Mobile.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

Re: T-Mobile is falling in line with the "other" carriers

Did you buy your phone from T-Mobile or through Google Play?

It may be that they are blocking Google Wallet installations on all new devices. You could be grandfathered in.

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList

Premium Member

Re: T-Mobile is falling in line with the "other" carri

play store.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9 to morbo

Premium Member

to morbo
said by morbo:

It may be that they are blocking Google Wallet installations on all new devices.

Not possible with Nexus devices...or most devices for that matter with a little consumer persistence.

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium Member
join:2005-06-29
Florence, SC

hayabusa3303 to ArrayList

Premium Member

to ArrayList

Re: T-Mobile is falling in line with the "other" carri

said by ArrayList:

Google Wallet works just fine on my Nexus 4 on T-Mobile.

I have a samsung galaxy 2 i own the phone.. google wallet is block..

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList

Premium Member

Re: T-Mobile is falling in line with the "other" carri

is it T-Mobile branded?

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium Member
join:2005-06-29
Florence, SC

hayabusa3303

Premium Member

Re: T-Mobile is falling in line with the "other" carri

Its i paid for the phone outright..

Would unlocking the phone help?

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList

Premium Member

Re: T-Mobile is falling in line with the "other" carri

The nexus should come unlocked even if you bought it from T-Mobile.

Delmain
@comcast.net

Delmain

Anon

Re: T-Mobile is falling in line with the "other" carri

He said he had a Galaxy S II, not a Nexus

max
@bhn.net

max

Anon

Re: T-Mobile is falling in line with the "other" carri

Galaxy s2 will not work because of lack of secure element, regardless of tmobile.

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium Member
join:2005-06-29
Florence, SC

hayabusa3303

Premium Member

Re: T-Mobile is falling in line with the "other" carri

said by max :

Galaxy s2 will not work because of lack of secure element, regardless of tmobile.

Thats what i got after i got passed the hack.. you are right..

n2jtx
join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY

n2jtx

Member

The Uncarrier?

Amazing how fast the "uncarrier" is rapidly becoming a carrier.

I am slowly working my employer to switch us off of Sprint this fall when our business contract is up. T-Mobile was on my short list but I have to wonder if it is worth it. Once Sprint denies us a full SIM unlock (not just the international one we have now) on our iPhone's this coming October, I think that would be enough to convince the decision makers to move rather than buy any more Sprint locked hardware.
Chubbysumo
join:2009-12-01
Duluth, MN
Ubee E31U2V1
(Software) pfSense
Netgear WNR3500L

Chubbysumo

Member

Re: The Uncarrier?

said by n2jtx:

Once Sprint denies us a full SIM unlock (not just the international one we have now) on our iPhone's this coming October

ummm, sprint is a CDMA carrier, and does not use SIM cards, nor do they even use the same frequencies as other carriers, and they have always had phones that would never be activated on other carriers because of that.

rwong48
join:2002-11-10
San Jose, CA

rwong48

Member

Re: The Uncarrier?

said by Chubbysumo:

said by n2jtx:

Once Sprint denies us a full SIM unlock (not just the international one we have now) on our iPhone's this coming October

ummm, sprint is a CDMA carrier, and does not use SIM cards, nor do they even use the same frequencies as other carriers, and they have always had phones that would never be activated on other carriers because of that.

LTE uses SIM cards, though Sprint uses embedded SIMs in their devices (ugh). Not sure about the iPhone 5 though.

Verizon's CDMA iPhone 5 has a SIM slot for LTE, and is SIM-unlocked.
rahvin112
join:2002-05-24
Sandy, UT

rahvin112

Member

Re: The Uncarrier?

Sprint is moving to using sim cards (real ones, not embedded) due I believe primarily to the iPhone. It should be happening soon, target date last I saw as may/june for the rollout on new (as in new to sprint, older approved devices will still be sold) devices.
clone (banned)
join:2000-12-11
Portage, IN

clone (banned) to Chubbysumo

Member

to Chubbysumo
Ummmm...Sprint iPhone 4S models are the exact same hardware as the GSM models, and include a GSM/UMTS radio and a SIM card slot. Many Sprint phones have GSM/UMTS radios (and therefore SIM slots) for roaming on other networks. And Sprint's "frequencies" (PCS band spectrum) are also used by Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. So, ummm, yeah, you should probably do your homework before you post.

jseymour
join:2009-12-11
Waterford, MI

jseymour

Member

T-Mobile Just Got Crossed Off The List

My wife and I have been toying with going "smart"phone for a while. More seriously the past year or so. It's unlikely, but possible. If we had decided to go that way, T-Mob was at the top of the list.

Now T-Mobile is off the list entirely. Lessee... The thing that calls itself "AT&T" was never on the list. Verizon was off the list for being too expensive... and the ISIS thing. Sprint was off the list because of poor coverage and the expense.

See? That's why we have no "smart"phones

Jim

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList

Premium Member

weird.

I just tested it. Works fine.

Zorin
@fiu.edu

Zorin

Anon

Google can fix this.

Google should implement Wallet in a way that makes it impossible to block. Use SSL on the same server farm that hosts some other, very popular service. Carriers won't block something if it also blocks something everyone uses, like youtube.
meowmeow
join:2003-07-26
Helena, MT

meowmeow

Member

Re: Google can fix this.

It's a phone support thing. It's not blocked from the network. Buy a Nexus 4, use Google Wallet. It's actually blocked in the phone OS.

kpfx
join:2005-10-28
San Antonio, TX

kpfx

Member

This only with "T-Mobile" phones?

Does this only apply with the actual "T-Mobile" version of phones? I know they separated the contracts from the phones, but if you buy a phone from them it is still somewhat subsidized.

i.e. if I bought an unlocked stock phone (i.e. Nexus or Galaxy S4) would that matter?

Kerrigor
@kentrox.com

Kerrigor

Anon

Re: This only with "T-Mobile" phones?

said by kpfx:

Does this only apply with the actual "T-Mobile" version of phones? I know they separated the contracts from the phones, but if you buy a phone from them it is still somewhat subsidized.

i.e. if I bought an unlocked stock phone (i.e. Nexus or Galaxy S4) would that matter?

Yes, it only applies to phones acquired to the carrier. The nice thing about T-Mobile is, even if they don't support it on the devices they sell directly, you can still just bring your own device (purchased directly from manufacturer, secondhand, etc.) and do whatever you want.

I use Google Wallet wherever it's available with my Nexus 4, and I'm currently on T-Mobile. I bought my Nexus 4 directly from Google Play for $350, and pay $30 per month for unlimited data, unlimited text, and 100 voice minutes on T-Mobile.
meowmeow
join:2003-07-26
Helena, MT

meowmeow

Member

Not the same

No, ISIS does not use the same secure element. Secure elements are only secure by nature of who has the keys, Google has the keys to the hardware secure elements in many phones, thus ISIS cannot (for good reason) use the same secure element! ISIS uses a secure element on a special SIM card.

michieru
Premium Member
join:2009-07-25
Denver, CO

michieru

Premium Member

?

I just logged into my Google Wallet however is this a carrier sold phone issue? I use have a Galaxy Nexus that's why I ask.
pkorx8
join:2003-06-19
San Francisco, CA

pkorx8

Member

Curious for Wallet on Tmobile

»www.modaco.com/topic/354 ··· -wallet/
I got my LG Optimus G (stock rooted JB, unlocked bootloader) on Sprint to work with google wallet using this Xposed mod.
I believe I sideloaded google wallet apk from a nexus7 install.
However, some people with the identical setup are reporting this doesn't work for them.

Does anyone know if this hack works on devices on T-mobile?

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium Member
join:2005-06-29
Florence, SC

hayabusa3303

Premium Member

Re: Curious for Wallet on Tmobile

Thanks for the link but for me didnt work.. Samsung galaxy 2 i have.. I got a cert. Error with mine

Jo
@rr.com

Jo

Anon

Works on any nexus device

Wallet works on any nexus device regardless of where you buy it... I bought mine at the tmo store and use it daily
FastAttack
Premium Member
join:2000-07-28
Bradenton, FL

FastAttack

Premium Member

Re: Works on any nexus device

On my T-mobile Galaxy S4 I can download google wallet.. but once you open it says its unsupported by my wireless carrier lol
tcope
Premium Member
join:2003-05-07
Sandy, UT

tcope

Premium Member

Big Picture

GW only works on Sprint phones, most Nexus (Google) phones and phones that are rooted. Otherwise all but Sprint won't allow Google Wallet to work. I have another post on this issue in the Android thread so I won't bring it all up again. What I will say is that Google blocks the phones Secure Element from the carriers and phone manufacture. In other words, Google is also looking for an unfair advantage in the NFC payment world. I'm not taking sides... it's just a fact.

I've been using ISIS since 10/13 and it actually is becoming a very good system. Much better then Google Wallet currently is. The big problem with ISIS is that _it's needs to be released to everyone already_! It's about 15 months over due. It has many features that GW does not offer and the "deals" from it's merchant are much better then Google Offers.

Oh, also... people are just nit picking one employees misuse of one word. Get over it people! The person just used the wrong word in their tweet. Will the person who posts perfectly every single time, please stand up. Sheezzzz. I think I saw a misspelling as well. Perhaps someone things TM should burn to the ground over that as well. Seriously, anyone making a big deal about that tweet is just looking for an excuse to make crap up.

•••

tinytiger
@t-ipconnect.de

tinytiger

Anon

What to expect?

I wouldn't expect anything else from the Telekom.

Changer
@google.com

Changer

Anon

Re: What to expect?

»petitions.whitehouse.gov ··· ZdBQqZgH

That is why I created this. Carriers need to stop dictating what I can and cannot use. Be an ISP and Cellular Provider and nothing more.