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Earlier this week, we mentioned that AT&T plans to require the use of the TeleNav service to utilize the GPS function in the BlackBerry 8820, slated for release next month. This, of course, didn’t make us happy, as we don’t like shelling out a needless $10 on top of our already expensive monthly plan. It appears that Verizon is playing a similar game — though they’ve completely disabled the GPS function, at least temporarily.

Verizon claims that the function was disabled because it didn’t pass muster; the company publicly prides itself on having more stringent testing standards than other companies, though that’s usually just a front that justifies their self-serving software.

We’ve yet to hear any complaints from Sprint customers, whose 8830 units have fully functional GPS units. Since they access BlackBerry Maps to find directions, there is no extra charge to consumers. This has AT&T and Verizon in a fury, since they want to be able to charge extra for GPS service.

Word on the street is that Verizon plans to enable the GPS function later this year. What they haven’t said is that it will cost you extra for the service. No, that’s not a verifiable fact. However, we’re so damn sure that this will be the case that we’re willing to throw it out there like it’s true.

[US News & World Report]

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