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Marriott backs down after wi-fi backlash
Marriott International said it is abandoning its quest to block guests’ private Wi-Fi networks in its hotels after coming under criticism from the travel industry and tech firms such as Google and Microsoft.
The hotel group had sought regulatory permission from the Federal Communications Commission to block personal wi-fi hotspots in its meetings and even spaces to preserve internet security, it said.
The issue came to a head after Marriott’s Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center allegedly used jamming technology to block attendees’ personal wi-fi connections, ultimately forcing delegates to pay up to $1,000 to use to the hotel’s wi-fi connection.
The FCC found Marriott had violated Section 333 of the Communications Act of 1934 and fined the company $600,000.
Marriott, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, filed a petition with the FCC asking to permit wi-fi blocking in meeting areas but has now backtracked and said it will look at other solutions to ensure internet security is not compromised in its hotels.
"Marriott International listens to its customers, and we will not block guests from using their personal wi-fi devices at any of our managed hotels," said a statement.
"Marriott remains committed to protecting the security of wi-fi access in meeting and conference areas at our hotels.
"We will continue to look to the FCC to clarify appropriate security measures network operators can take to protect customer data."
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Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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