AT&T has been cracking down on unauthorized tethering for some time now, but recently both it and Verizon took things a step further in an attempt to get Android users to sign up for official tethering plans. Reports have been flying in that both Verizon and AT&T customers are now unable to install many of the popular tethering apps, like PdaNet, on the Android Market in an effort to deter folks from tethering their smartphone without paying extra to do so. The ability to tether (officially, that is) normally runs about $20 a month, but downloading one of these apps allows a user to avoid paying that extra fee. The good news is that, at least for the time being, T-Mobile and Sprint customers are still able to install these tethering apps without a problem.

This news, although it is disappointing, isn't altogether surprising. After all, I'm sure that the carriers don't enjoy the fact that they're missing out on extra cash because some users are tethering without paying for it. As is usually the case with Android, though, there are ways to get around Verizon and AT&T blocking tethering apps, most notably sideloading. What do you all think of VZW and ATT's moves to block unauthorized tethering? Is it fair?

Via Android Central