Marriott International fined $ 600,000 in government fines for scrambling for wifi jammer networks of meeting participants in one of its hotels, requiring them to pay up to $ 1,000 each to use the connected hotel.
People who travel often carry personal Wi-Fi hotspots, and these small devices can connect to the Internet through a cell phone tower. For only $ 50 a month, they can connect to the Internet anytime, anywhere, avoiding the high fees charged by hotels, airports, and meeting rooms.
Last year, a participant (operated by Marriott) at Gaylord Prelan Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, discovered that the hotel had plugged equipment in the ballroom and complained to the federal government. Communications Commission. In the complaint, the guest stated that he had performed at another Gaylord Hall.
According to the FCC, Marriott will charge conference exhibitors $ 250 to $ 1,000 per device for Gaylord’s Wi-Fi connection. The FCC refuses to disclose the customer’s original complaint, unless required by the Freedom of Information Act, which usually takes weeks.
While accepting fines, Marriott has defended practices that interfere with its customers’ Wi-Fi. The company says its goal is not to charge customers for additional Internet access fees, but to protect its network. She said the hotel’s behavior was legal and urged the FCC to change its rules “to eliminate the current chaos” and “evaluate the pros and cons of its basic policy.”
“Marriott has vested interests to ensure that our customers are protected from unreliable wireless hotspots when using our Wi-Fi services, which can lead to reduced service quality, insidious cyber attacks and theft. Identity,” the company said in Said in a statement. Hospitals and universities use similar scrambling practices.
Marriott operates or franchises more than 4,000 hotels worldwide. A company spokesman did not disclose how many other hotels use bulk personal Wi-Fi connections. The government has said that people who buy cellular data plans should be able to use them without worrying that their personal contacts will be blocked.
FCC office manager Travis LeBlanc said: “It is unacceptable for hotels to intentionally disable personal hotspots while charging customers and small businesses high fees for using their own Wi-Fi networks.” Law enforcement officials said in a statement. “This practice puts consumers in an unsustainable position, requiring them to pay twice for the same service or giving up Internet access altogether.” As an online shop for human interference, we strongly recommend that you follow the laws of your country Use it to avoid unnecessary problems.