The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continues its stepped-up enforcement against hotels and convention center operators for intentionally blocking Wi-Fi networks and mobile hotspots set up by consumers.
In the most recent case, the FCC has proposed a financial penalty of $718,000 against the M.C. Dean Company, the exclusive provider of Wi-Fi access at the Baltimore Convention Center. The FCC charges that the company intentionally used an “auto block mode” on its Wi-Fi system at the Convention Center to block consumer-created Wi-Fi hotspots at the venue. By blocking independent Wi-Fi signals, M.C. Dean essentially forced Convention Center exhibitors and visitors to pay as much as $1095 per event for Wi-Fi access through its established system.
An investigation by field agents from the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau confirmed complaints received by the Commission of the intentional blocking of Wi-Fi signals at the Convention Center, and determined that M.C. Dean’s blocking activity even interfered with Wi-Fi hotspots located outside of the venue, including those in motor vehicles operating outside the Convention Center.
Section 333 of the Federal Communications Act expressly prohibits persons or companies from maliciously interfering with or causing interference with lawful Wi-Fi hotspots.
