FCC: Firm pays $750K settlement for blocking Wi-Fi signals

CINCINNATI (AP) — Regulators have reached a $750,000 settlement with Smart City Holdings for blocking consumers’ Wi-Fi signals at convention centers around the country, including Cincinnati and Columbus.

Federal regulators announced the settlement this week. A statement from Las Vegas-based Smart City says the company admitted no wrongdoing and wasn’t found to have violated any laws.

Officials say the Internet and telecommunications provider blocked personal mobile hotspots of convention visitors who used their own data plans instead of paying Smart City’s fees for Wi-Fi signals.

The Federal Communications Commission says Smart City charged $80 to access the company’s wireless Internet services for a day and automatically blocked users who didn’t pay from accessing the Internet from their hotspots.

Investigators say Smart City also blocked signals at convention centers in Florida, Indianapolis and Arizona.