YOU ARE AT:Internet of Things (IoT)FCC takes on hotels over Wi-Fi hot spots

FCC takes on hotels over Wi-Fi hot spots

WASHINGTON – In today’s world, it is almost impossible to conduct any kind of business without an Internet connection. This reality has turned Wi-Fi into a major revenue stream for the hospitality industry, from advertising free Wi-Fi then offering premium speed at an increased rate, to blocking independent Wi-Fi hot spots that have become a must-have accessory for the savvy business traveler.

The issue of blocking personal Wi-Fi hot spots has drawn the ire of the Federal Communications Commission Enforcement Bureau, which over the last year has taken major steps to quash attempts by hotels to impose a virtual Internet monopoly on their guests.

In February the FCC imposed a $600,000 fine on the Marriott  hotel chain for jamming guests’ personal Wi-Fi hot spots. On Nov. 2, the FCC announced a $25,000 fine for Hilton Hotels for obstructing an investigation into the chain’s own blocking activity regarding Wi-Fi hot spots.

Studies commissioned by the travel industry and cited in various publications, including The New York Times, point to Wi-Fi as the No. 1 must-have amenity for travelers. What’s more, people prefer free Wi-Fi over tiered service that comes at a premium. Personal Wi-Fi hot spots allow travelers to carry access to the Internet with them, which obviously disrupts a hotel’s ambitions to turn in-room Wi-Fi into a revenue stream.   

In addition to cracking down on the hotel industry, the FCC also has hit companies that provide Wi-Fi at convention centers. At the same time the FCC announced the $25,000 fine for Hilton, it reported a $718,000 fine for convention Wi-Fi provider MC Dean for jamming personal hot spots at the Baltimore Convention Center while charging as much as $1,095 for exhibitors and attendees to get connected.

This comes on the heels of a $750,000 fine for convention Wi-Fi provider Smart City Holdings for blocking personal connections at multiple convention centers across the country.

Travis LeBlanc, chief of the FCC Enforcement Bureau, was clear on the FCC’s view: “Consumers are tired of being taken advantage of by hotels and convention centers that block their personal Wi-Fi connections. This disturbing practice must come to an end. It is patently unlawful for any company to maliciously block FCC-approved Wi-Fi connections.”

ABOUT AUTHOR

Jeff Hawn
Jeff Hawn
Contributing [email protected] Jeff Hawn was born in 1991 and represents the “millennial generation,” the people who have spent their entire lives wired and wireless. His adult life has revolved around cellphones, the Internet, video chat and Google. Hawn has a degree in international relations from American University, and has lived and traveled extensively throughout Europe and Russia. He represents the most valuable, but most discerning, market for wireless companies: the people who have never lived without their products, but are fickle and flighty in their loyalty to one company or product. He’ll be sharing his views – and to a certain extent the views of his generation – with RCR Wireless News readers, hoping to bridge the generational divide and let the decision makers know what’s on the mind of this demographic.