Google responds to early termination fee criticism, calls it 'standard practice'

We reported recently that those who sign up to a Google Nexus One contract through a network will have to pay more than double the usual charge if they ever wish to terminate the contract.

This $350 “Equipment Recovery Fee” has been stipulated by Google itself, and would be made on top of the network’s customary cancellation fee in the event that a customer terminates his contract within the first 120 days.

Now, the software giant has come out in defence of the scheme after receiving some heavy criticism from the bloggers.

According to the Wall Street Journal, a Google spokeswoman has called the charge “standard practice for third-party resellers of T-Mobile and other operators.” She said that the fee existed to recoup the subsidy it gives to contract customers.

So it looks as if this double-whammy charge is here to stay, and that we can expect similar treatment when UK operators start offering Nexus One deals over the coming months.