Who Owns the Airwaves? Know your Rights to WiFi

Occasionally we are approached by folks who are interested in our reasonably priced internet solutions for trade shows, but they are concerned about the possibility of being approached by venue staff who cite “Internet exclusivity” rules, claiming that personal WiFi equipment is not allowed to be used within the venue space. No one wants to be hassled on a busy show day! Fear not, for you have the right to use your own WiFi and now more than ever it is important to know your rights as a consumer so that you can assert them when necessary. 

Trade Show Internet has been leading the charge for over 10 years to defend your right to use your own WiFi broadcasting devices at venues all across the United States. Although it has been a while since we’ve had to pick up our proverbial axes, sometimes – albeit now rarely– venues and organizers still give our clients trouble. Trade Show Internet wants to empower you with the knowledge of your rights.

According to the Over-the-Air Reception Devices (“OTARD”) rule under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, everyone in the United States has the right to use their own WiFi devices, whether that be a personal MiFi, a cell phone hotspot, or one of Trade Show Internet's internet kits. This right stands whether you are on public or private property and neither venue owners nor event organizers can tell you otherwise. Even if a personal WiFi hotspot could be causing frequency interference for another party’s network, it is still illegal to disallow the use of the personal device. 

Under the law, an attendee or exhibitor with their own personal WiFi hotspot has the same rights to use the same WiFi spectrum as any ISP or venue. In addition, any devices intentionally used to jam WiFi networks are strictly prohibited by law and may incur by hefty fines from the FCC.

In fact, in 2014 the FCC fined Marriott $600,000 for jamming WiFi frequencies, rendering clients personal WiFi devices useless so that they could force guests to pay Marriott for WiFi. A year later, Trade Show Internet submitted a formal complaint against Smart City Networks– an in-house internet vendor for many convention centers across the United States– to the FCC for doing the same thing. This time the FCC doled out a fine of $750,000.

Trade Show Internet continues to be committed to protecting your rights to use your own WiFi at venues and trade show floors all across the country. Trade Show Internet's Consumer Bill of Rights document outlines the FCC regulations and your WiFi rights. Download or bookmark it for quick reference in case someone needs a refresher.

Now, if anyone approaches you about your ‘illegal’ 5G hotspot, you are equipped with the knowledge and the material to stand your ground! Let the WiFi freedom ring!