The FCC today levied a $750,000 fine against Smart City, which admitted to preventing consumers from setting up and operating their own WiFi hotspots in several convention centers.
Smart City runs the WiFi services at select conference facilities and blocked attendees from creating WiFi networks, which resulted in some customers paying Smart City to use its services. Smart City charged $80 per day to connect to its WiFi network.
In addition to the fine, Smart City has to establish a compliance plan proving to the FCC that it will not engage in WiFi blocking in the future. Preventing people from accessing their own networks is strictly forbidden.
