Is Samsung giving Galaxy Nexus carrier hints?

Samsung giving Galaxy Nexus carrier hints and what does that mean for Google Wallet?

Samsung could be giving us clues of who will carry the NFC Galaxy Nexus. If you have been following the saga of the NFC Samsung Galaxy Nexus this week you will probably know that no mobile network operators have been announced as yet. Verizon has been rumored to have taken on the Galaxy Nexus under an exclusive agreement and we have also heard that the phone will hit multiple networks. Samsung and Google have remained silent regarding what networks the Galaxy Nexus will eventually land on when it launches.

Samsung and Google could be considering regional carriers for the Galaxy Nexus to ensure acceptance of Google Wallet & NFC support

Sometimes we find clues in obvious places. On the Samsung web page for the Galaxy Nexus, we see that they have the customary form asking for your email so they can update you when the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is available. What is interesting about this form is that it asks what carrier you are interested in. On that list for the Galaxy Nexus is AT&T, Cellular South, MetroPCS, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon.

What is interesting is that Google may be considering deploying the Galaxy Nexus through regional carriers. This makes a lot of sense when you consider Isis is blocking Google Wallet. Isis member MNOs like AT&T are blocking NFC on many phones. MNOs, like Metro PCS and US Cellular, may help Google bring NFC payments to the masses with the Galaxy Nexus and other Android Ice Cream Sandwich NFC phones we are likely to see in the next couple of months.