FCC to Fine Hilton Hotels for Obstructing Wi-Fi Blocking Investigation

Media Contact:

Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509

will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC TO FINE HILTON HOTELS FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH

WI-FI BLOCKING INVESTIGATION

Company Failed to Produce Information & Documents Regarding Potential Wi-Fi

Blocking at Hilton-Brand Hotels & Resorts After Consumer Complaints

--

WASHINGTON, November 2, 2015 - The Federal Communications Commission's Enforcement

Bureau today proposed a $25,000 fine against Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. for its apparent

obstruction of an investigation into whether Hilton engaged in the blocking of consumers' Wi-Fi

devices. In todays order, the Bureau directs Hilton to immediately provide essential information

and documents about its Wi-Fi management practices and warns the company that it may face a

significantly higher fine for any continued obstruction or delay.

"Hotel guests deserve to have their Wi-Fi blocking complaints investigated by the Commission,"

said Travis LeBlanc, Chief of the FCC Enforcement Bureau. "To permit any company to

unilaterally redefine the scope of our investigation would undermine the independent search for

the truth and the due administration of the law."

In August 2014, the Commission received an initial consumer complaint alleging that the Hilton

in Anaheim, California blocked visitors Wi-Fi hot spots unless those consumers paid a $500 fee

to access Hiltons Wi-Fi. The Commission has also received Wi-Fi blocking complaints involving

other Hilton properties. In November 2014, the Bureau issued Hilton a letter of inquiry seeking

information concerning basic company information, relevant corporate policies, and specifics

regarding Wi-Fi management practices at Hilton-brand properties in the United States. After

nearly one year, Hilton has failed to provide the requested information for the vast majority of its

properties. Hilton operates several brands, including Hilton, Conrad, DoubleTree, Embassy

Suites, and Waldorf Astoria properties.

The Communications Act prohibits persons and companies from maliciously blocking Wi-Fi

communications. The Commission has taken three Wi-Fi blocking enforcement actions since last

year. 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 Commission also recently proposed to fine M.C. Dean $718,000 for apparent Wi-

Fi blocking at the Baltimore Convention Center. The Commission again urges hotels, convention

centers, and other commercial establishments to review their practices to ensure that there is no

unlawful blocking of Wi-Fi communications.

The Hilton Notice of Apparent Liability for forfeiture is available at:

https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-15-1227A1.pdf

A 2015 Enforcement Advisory on Wi-Fi blocking is available at:

https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-15-113A1.pdf

###

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).

LINK:	http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-fine-hilton-hotels-obstructing-wi-fi-b...
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