• by Ian Framson
• Jul 06, 2016
• WiFi, FCC, Tradeshow Internet, Consumer Rights

You noticed, we acted, and the FCC ruled. Trade Show Internet filed a complaint with the FCC detailing the WiFi jamming suffered by some of our clients at convention centers where Smart City Networks (SCN) was the in-house WiFi vendor. Less than one year after the FCC's WiFi-jamming investigation of Marriott International, Inc. (which we blogged about here), the FCC issued another Consent Decree, this time against SCN, for their role in blocking WiFi traffic on channels set aside for public use.



The crime was that some exhibitors who wanted to use their own personal Internet hotspots at SCN convention centers were being intentionally de-authenticated. SCN was forcibly terminating the connection between users' devices and their preferred wireless access points, as a means to force the victim into purchasing Internet directly from SCN. Trade Show Internet is proud to say we were at the forefront of correcting this injustice and championing consumer freedom of choice.

"It is unacceptable for any company to charge consumers exorbitant fees to access the Internet while at the same time blocking them from using their own personal Wi-Fi hotspots to access the Internet," said Travis LeBlanc, chief of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau, in the official press release following the decree. "All companies who seek to use technologies that block FCC-approved Wi-Fi connections are on notice that such practices are patently unlawful." Read more of FCC's advisory here.

In short, Wi-Fi blocking is prohibited - be warned! Intentional WiFi jamming is an offense that carries a hefty fine. In less than a year, the FCC has fined another commercial Internet provider. The first time we heard of it in October, 2014 was for the amount of $600,000 when Marriott International was charged for illicit practices at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center. Smart City Holdings LLC was fined $750,000 for its subsidiary's action, Smart City Networks - who provides Wi-Fi connectivity at more than 3,000 events per year.

It has been a battle worth fighting and this victory has been won in the name of consumer freedom - because you DO have a choice when it comes to selecting a reliable and affordable WiFi service provider. Let freedom ring!