Media Contact:
Will Wiquist, 202-418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC PLANS $718,000 FINE AGAINST M.C. DEAN FOR BLOCKING WI-FI AT
BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
WASHINGTON, November 2, 2015 - The Federal Communications Commission plans a $718,000
fine against M.C. Dean for blocking consumers' Wi-Fi connections at the Baltimore Convention
Center. The FCC's Enforcement Bureau investigation found that M.C. Dean, Inc., one of the nation's
largest electrical contracting companies, blocked personal mobile hotspots of convention visitors
and exhibitors who tried to use their own data plans to connect to the Internet rather than paying M.C.
Dean substantial fees to use the company's Wi-Fi service.
Consumers are tired of being taken advantage of by hotels and convention centers that block their
personal Wi-Fi connections, said Travis LeBlanc, Chief of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau. This
disturbing practice must come to an end. It is patently unlawful for any company to maliciously block
FCC-approved Wi-Fi connections.
As the exclusive provider of Wi-Fi access at the Baltimore Convention Center, M.C. Dean charges
exhibitors and visitors as much as $1,095 per event for Wi-Fi access. Last year, the Commission
received a complaint from a company that provides equipment that enables users to establish hotspots
at conventions and trade shows. The complainant alleged that M.C. Dean blocked hotspots its
customers had tried to establish at the Baltimore Convention Center. After receiving the complaint,
Enforcement Bureau field agents visited the venue on multiple occasions and confirmed that Wi-Fi
blocking activity was taking place.
The Enforcement Bureau's investigation found that M.C. Dean engaged in Wi-Fi blocking at the
Baltimore Convention Center on dozens of occasions in the last year. During the investigation, M.C.
Dean revealed that it used the Auto Block Mode on its Wi-Fi system to block consumer-created
Wi-Fi hotspots at the venue. The Wi-Fi system's manual describes this mode as shoot first, and ask
questions later. M.C. Dean's Wi-Fi blocking activity also appears to have blocked Wi-Fi hotspots
located outside of the venue, including passing vehicles. The Commission today charges M.C. Dean
with violating Section 333 of the Communications Act by maliciously interfering with or causing
interference to lawful Wi-Fi hotspots.
This is the FCC's third major enforcement action regarding Wi-Fi blocking. In October 2014, the
FCC fined Marriott International, Inc. and Marriott Hotel Services, Inc. $600,000 for similar Wi-Fi
blocking activities at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. In
August 2015, the FCC fined Smart City Holdings, LLC $750,000 for similar Wi-Fi blocking at
multiple convention centers across the country.
The M.C. Dean Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture is available at:
https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-146A1.pdf
A 2015 Enforcement Advisory on Wi-Fi blocking is available at:
https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-15-113A1.pdf
Action by the Commission October 28, 2015 by Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (FCC 15-
146). Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn and Rosenworcel approving with Commissioners
Pai and O'Rielly dissenting. Commissioners Pai and O'Rielly issuing statements.
###
Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @FCC
www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes
official action. See MCI v. FCC, 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).
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