The United States Federal Communications Commission has fined Marriott UD$600,000 after it found out that the company jammed its guest's Wi-Fi networks in 2013, during an event in Nashville.

Employees of Marriott International Inc. jammed the Wi-Fi spots at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention to force the customers to pay for the hotel's internet service.

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In a statement released by the commission, Marriott charged its customers, including the businesses, consumers and exhibitors up to US$1,000 per device to connect to the building's Wi-Fi hot-spots.

According to Travis LeBlanc, chief of the FCC Enforcement Bureau, customers who have internet plans should be able to utilize it without having to fear that it will be jammed by their hotel or conference centers.

The incident marked the first time that the commission has fined a hotel for blocking its guests internet connection, an FCC officer said.

A federal law bans people from using devices that jams with any wireless networks.

According to the FCC officer, the employees of the Gaylord Opryland did not essentially "jam" the network connection of its customers by using a device-jammer.

Instead, they used the hotel's wi-fi system to disrupt the customer's cellular data plans or personal hot-spots.

The commission decreed that Marriot must stop blocking its guest's Wi-Fi, and present a compliance plan with the FCC every three months for the next three years.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Marriott issued a statement saying that they did nothing wrong and the FCC must change its policies.

According to Marriott spokesman Jeff Flaherty, Marriott only ensured that its guests will be able to use the wi-fi service securely.

"They will be protected from rogue wireless hot-spots that can cause degraded service, insidious cyber-attacks and identity theft," he said.

In addition, Flaherty said the device used by the Marriott employees in "blocking" the wi-fi was an FCC-authorized equipment.

He added that the action was believed to be legal, and they will encourage the FCC to change its policies to avoid future conflicts.  

Tagsmarriott, Tech, gaylord opryland, Wi-fi