Marriott International (MAR) will shell out a $600,000 fine for blocking personal Wi-Fi spots.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigated the hotel company over allegations that the company was blocking personal Wi-Fi systems to force customers into paying for Marriott’s Wi-Fi.
The alleged violations took place in the company’s Gaylor Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville. The FCC claims that Marriott used signal-blocking features to block personal Wi-Fis and charged customers and exhibitors $250 to $1,000 per device to access the hotel’s network.
The FCC issued a statement on Marriott’s actions and how they’re in violation of the US Communications Act:
Consumers who purchase cellular data plans should be able to use them without fear that their personal Internet connection will be blocked by their hotel or conference center. It is unacceptable for any hotel to intentionally disable personal hotspots while also charging consumers and small businesses high fees to use the hotel’s own Wi-Fi network. This practice puts consumers in the untenable position of either paying twice for the same service or forgoing Internet access altogether.
MAR stock is up about 1.75% Friday afternoon.
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