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FCC Rules Hotel Wi-Fi Blocking Is Illegal and Subject to Penalties

Dennis Schaal photo
Dennis Schaal

Skift Take

The FCC couldn't have more forcefully rejected the hotel industry's efforts to block Wi-Fi hotspots at meetings, conventions or anywhere else.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission forcefully came down on the "disturbing trend" of hotels and other commercial entities blocking consumers' personal Wi-Fi hot spots and declared such practices "illegal." The enforcement advisory directly rebuffs efforts by Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide and the rest of the U.S. hotel industry to get the authority to block attendees' personal Wi-Fi hotspots at meetings and conventions. Although the FCC hasn't directly ruled on the Marriott and American Hotel & Lodging Association petition, filed in August, to seek clarification of the law as it pertains to Wi-Fi blocking, the FCC did note: "While the Enforcement Bureau recognizes that the Petition questions our position, the Bureau will continue to enforce the law as it understands it unless and until the Commission determines otherwise." FCC Calls Wi-Fi Blocking Illegal "Willful or malicious

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