Verizon Wireless has demanded that Google disable its mobile wallet app in the forthcoming release of the latest Galaxy Nexus smartphone from Samsung.
Verizon - the number one carrier in the US - is a member of the Isis consortium, which is planning to launch its own mobile wallet service next year.
Verizon's refusal to distribute the rival Google app was confirmed by a Google spokesperson who told Reuters: "Verizon asked us not to include this functionality in the product."
Verizon cites nebulous security concerns as its principal objection to the Google application, with the clear subtext that carrier wants to retain control of the secure element in the NFC chip - and therefore the customer.
So far Sprint - a non-Isis consortium member - is the only US carrier to support Google on Nexus smartphones.
It remains to be seen if the other members of the Isis triumvirate, AT&T and T-Mobile, decide to follow Verizon's lead. Such a course of action may be risky, invoking anti-trust concerns.