Marriott Says It Only Wants to Block Personal Wi-Fi in Conference, Meeting Spaces

Hotel chain Marriott International tried to stem the flow of complaints about its personal Wi-Fi blocking plan, saying that it doesn’t want to limit guests’ ability to get online in their rooms but would like to block networks in its conference or meeting spaces.

The company issued a statement trying to clarify its request to the Federal Communications Commission for permission to block Wi-Fi devices on its property. The hotel chain wants the leeway to block networks which might “pose a security threat to meeting or conference attendees or cause interference to the conference guest wireless network.” Critics of the plan argue that Marriott and the hotel industry are worried a lot less about malicious hacking than their ability to charge convention exhibitors big bucks for Internet access.

[Dec 31]