Consumer group Free Press has dragged wireless carrier Verizon to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for blocking customers from using third-party tethering apps on Android smartphones.

The group, which is a supporter of net neutrality, claims that Verizon violated FCC net neutrality rules it agreed to when it acquired the spectrum in 700MHz auctions in 2008.

The complaint filed by Free Press reads, “When Verizon purchased the spectrum licenses associated with its LTE network, it agreed that it would not ‘deny, limit, or restrict’ the ability of its users to access the apps and devices of their choosing.”

According to Free Press, Verizon asked Google to remove tethering apps from its Android Market because it wants to charge $20 per month from subscribers who are using their phones as an ad hoc modem.

It may be noted here that when Verizon introduced the Droid phone, it charged $30 per month for its tethering service, in addition to $30 per month for its unlimited data plans.

A number of media reports are claiming that Google has removed third-party tethering apps from the Android Market in response to Verizon’s request.

Free Press has urged the federal regulators to rule against the blocking of the third-party tethering apps.