Travel Tips
Travel Tip: Why It’s Illegal for Hotels to Block Wi-Fi Hotspots
If you’re like me, what’s the first thing you do when you get to your hotel?
After crawling around looking for an electrical socket to plug in your laptop, you begin the search for Wi-Fi.
But if you’re attending a convention, that’s when the problems start.
Many hotels love charging for Wi-Fi, so smart travelers bring their own mobile Wi-Fi hotspots.
What do many convention facilities or hotels try to do? Electronically block the transmissions.
Thankfully, due to numerous complaints, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has stepped in, proposing huge fines against convention organizers and hotels that try to block your Wi-Fi.
This year, the FCC has fined Hilton. Last year, it was a $600,000 fine against Marriott.
So, the next time you go to a convention and your Wi-Fi is blocked, remind the organizers that this is now considered illegal.
For more information about Wi-Fi in hotels, check out:
- Watch Out For Hidden Hotel Wi-Fi Charges
- Risky Places to Use Free Wi-Fi
- The Fine Print of Free Wi-Fi At Hotels
Keep reading for more travel tips.