Google Inc (GOOGL), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Triumph Over Marriott International Inc (MAR)

The combined assault of Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) coupled with the public relations nightmare has apparently gotten to Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR).

According to Inc.’s Kimberly Weisul, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) have triumphed over Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) as the hospitality company has conceded and has withdrawn its efforts to get permission from the United States Federal Communication Commission to block Wi-Fi hotspots within its facilities.

“Marriott International listens to its customers, and we will not block guests from using their personal Wi-Fi devices at any of our managed hotels,” Weisul quotes a Marriott spokesperson writing in an email.

Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) and a group of hotels forming the American Hospitality & Lodging Association asked the FCC this summer for permission to block Wi-Fi devices such as smartphones or personal Wi-Fi devices. The company said that the move is needed for them to successfully ensure that all communications inside their premises are not compromised.

However, it should also be noted that Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) charges for Wi-Fi coverage at $14.95 per day or nearly $20 if one opts for the speedier option. People would understandably not pay for Wi-Fi if they can use their phones or personal Wi-Fi devices to do essentially the same thing.

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) filed separate arguments with the FCC opposing the hospitality company’s request to be allowed to use Wi-Fi jammers.

Aside from Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), 36 other parties wrote to the FCC to dissent on Marriott’s request. Nonetheless, Marriott, according to Inc., is still engaged in finding a solution with the FCC to ensure Wi-Fi security in their hotels. Weisul did note, however, that the company is working on a solution with the FCC that does not involve Wi-Fi jamming.

Stanley Druckenmiller’s Duquesne Capital owned 166,180 Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) shares by the end of 3Q2014.

William Duhamel’s Route One Investment Company owned about 1.96 million Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) shares by the end of the same quarter.

Also by the end of September, Ken Heebner’s Capital Growth Management owned 1.34 million Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) shares.