FCC Chairman Criticizes Marriott Wi-Fi Blocking Request

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday criticized a request by Marriott International to block guests' use of non-Marriott Wi-Fi networks. "The Communications Act prohibits anyone from willfully or maliciously interfering with authorized radio communications, including Wi-Fi," said FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler in a statement. He said Marriott's request is "contrary to this basic principle." An FCC statement said the agency has seen a "disturbing trend" in which hotels block customers from using their own personal Wi-Fi hot spots. Marriott last summer asked the FCC for permission to block Wi-Fi signals in convention or business spaces.