Wi-Fi Block fact

Did you know it was illegal to block Wi-Fi in the U.S.



However if you hear this there is a catch to it.
It just says pretty much any commercial establishment is prohibited from blocking or disrupting personal use of Wi-Fi on there premises to force consumers to buy access to the Wi-Fi. That is it. However it also does say.... You cannot purchase, market or sell any type of jammer that interferes with Wi-Fi, Cell Phone, Public Communications. So If you wanted to purchase such item in U.S. Sorry but you are now considered a Criminal by the FCC

Here is actually the real article that was written out.

"PUBLIC NOTICE
Page 1 of 2
Federal Communications Commission
445 12
th
St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
DA 15-113
January 27, 2015
Enforcement Advisory No. 2015-01
WARNING: Wi-Fi Blocking is Prohibited
Persons or Businesses Causing Intentional Interference to Wi-Fi Hot Spots
Are Subject to Enforcement Action
In the 21
st
Century, Wi-Fi represents an essential on-ramp to the Internet. Personal Wi-Fi 
networks, or “hot spots,” are an important way that consumers connect to the Internet.  Willful 
or malicious interference with Wi-Fi hot spots is illegal.  Wi-Fi blocking violates Section 333 of 
the Communications Act, as amended.
1
  The Enforcement Bureau has seen a disturbing trend in
which hotels and other commercial establishments block wireless consumers from using their 
own personal Wi-Fi hot spots on the commercial establishment’s premises. As a result, the 
Bureau is protecting consumers by aggressively investigating and acting against such unlawful
intentional interference.
In 2014, the Enforcement Bureau conducted an investigation, culminating with a Consent 
Decree, into this kind of unlawful activity by the operator of a resort hotel and convention 
center.
2
In that case, Marriott International, Inc. deployed a Wi-Fi deauthentication protocol to 
deliberately block consumers who sought to connect to the Internet using their own personal 
Wi-Fi hot spots.  Marriott admitted that the customers it blocked did not pose a security threat 
                    
1
47 U.S.C. § 333.
2  
Marriott Int’l, Inc.; Marriott Hotel Servs, Inc., Order and Consent Decree, 29 FCC Rcd 11760 (Enf. Bur. 
2014).  Marriott and other members of the hotel and lodging industry filed a petition requesting guidance 
on this issue.  See Petition of Am. Hotel & Lodging Ass’n, Marriott Int’l, Inc., and Ryman Hospitality Props. 
for a Declaratory Ruling to Interpret 47 U.S.C. § 333, or, in the Alternative, for Rulemaking, RM-11737 (filed 
Aug. 25, 2014) (Petition).  Comment was sought on the Petition.  Consumer & Gov’t Affairs Bureau 
Reference Information Center Petition for Rulemaking Filed, Public Notice, RM 11737 (Nov. 19, 2014).
While the Enforcement Bureau recognizes that the Petition questions our position, the Bureau will 
continue to enforce the law as it understands it unless and until the Commission determines otherwise.
FCC ENFORCEMENT ADVISORY
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to the Marriott network and agreed to settle the investigation by paying a civil penalty of 
$600,000.
Following the settlement, the Enforcement Bureau has received several complaints that other 
commercial Wi-Fi network operators may be disrupting the legitimate operation of personal Wi-
Fi hot spots.  The Bureau is investigating such complaints and will take appropriate action 
against violators.
What is Prohibited?  No hotel, convention center, or other commercial establishment or the 
network operator providing services at such establishments may intentionally block or disrupt 
personal Wi-Fi hot spots on such premises, including as part of an effort to force consumers to 
purchase access to the property owner’s Wi-Fi network.  Such action is illegal and violations 
could lead to the assessment of substantial monetary penalties.
3
In addition, we reiterate that Federal law prohibits the operation, marketing, or sale of any type 
of jamming equipment, including devices that interfere with Wi-Fi, cellular, or public safety 
communications.  Detailed information about the prohibition against jamming is available on 
the Commission’s website at http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/jammer-enforcement.  
What Should You Do if You Suspect Wi-Fi Blocking?  If you have reason to believe your 
personal Wi-Fi hot spot has been blocked, you can file a complaint with the FCC.  To do so, you 
can visit www.fcc.gov/complaints or call 1-888-CALL-FCC.  If you contact the FCC, you are 
encouraged to provide as much detail as possible regarding the potential Wi-Fi blocking, 
including the date, time, location, and possible source.
Need More Information?  Media inquiries should be directed to Neil Grace at 202-418-0506 or
neil.grace@fcc.gov.  For general information on the FCC, you may contact the FCC at 1-888-
CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) or visit our website at www.fcc.gov. To request materials in 
accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), 
send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-
418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).
Issued by: Chief, Enforcement Bureau 
                    
3
All operators, including of a Part 15 device, must comply with the Communications Act, including Section 
333, and the Commission’s rules."

Works Cited

"WARNING: Wi-Fi Blocking Is Prohibited." WARNING: Wi-Fi Blocking Is Prohibited. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2015.