Wi-Fi Blocking, Jamming Violates Communications Act, FCC Says
The FCC dismissed the American Hotel & Lodging Association's, Marriott International's and Ryman Hospitality Properties’ petition for declaratory ruling on Wi-Fi containment capabilities, in an order in RM-11737 on Feb. 13. The hotel associations withdrew a request for declaratory ruling…
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Jan. 30. In 2013, Marriott prevented guests at the Gaylord Opryland hotel in Nashville from bypassing the hotel’s Wi-Fi to use their own Wi-Fi hot spots, the Enforcement Bureau said in an Oct. 3, 2014, order. Marriott signed a consent decree to settle the $600,000 fine after the commission completed an investigation of the Wi-Fi jamming in 2013. The FCC issued two enforcement advisories, one Dec. 8, another Jan. 27, calling Wi-Fi jamming “a disturbing trend in which hotels and other commercial establishments block wireless consumers from using their own personal Wi-Fi hotspots on the commercial establishment’s premises.” Wi-Fi blocking violates Section 333 of the Communications Act, the FCC said. The commission shouldn't dismiss the petition or close the proceeding, Public Knowledge said in an opposition filed Friday. It suggested dismissing the petition with prejudice, because Marriott filed a request for declaratory ruling but didn't file a motion requesting that the commission dismiss the pleading. In Marriott's opinion, Section 333 doesn't apply to unlicensed devices operating under Part 15 and it has the right to use jamming technology for cybersecurity reasons, Public Knowledge said.