It’s a bit rare to see Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) come together for a cause but that has just happened with their fight against Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) and other hospitality companies over guests and their Wi-Fi connections.
According to CNBC’s Sara Eisen, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) have banded together and filed separate petitions to the United States Federal Communications Commission to block a request from Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) for clearance to use Wi-Fi jammers in its facilities.
“This summer, Marriott asked the FCC to let it use special equipment stop people from turning their phones into Wi-Fi hotspots. Keep in mind that Marriott charges $14.95 a day for Wi-Fi, a charge many avoid by simply turning their phones into Wi-Fi hotspots using data from their cellphone company instead,” Eisen said.
Marriott argues that it needs to block Wi-Fi devices from operating within their establishments’ premises to protect clients who may be hacked via unofficial networks.
And therein lies why Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), surely rivals in the technology space in normal days, are together in this to fight Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) and the American Hospitality & Lodging Association.
Certainly, it would be nice to think that this cooperation between the tech giants is out of pure goodness in their hearts – that they are purely thinking of the good of the people. In the first place, why should Marriott block people from using their own smartphones (or tablets and dedicated mobile Wi-Fi devices) as Wi-Fi hotspots just so they can turn around and charge $14.95 per day (nearly $20 if you get the “enhanced” Wi-Fi connection option) for internet connectivity?
However, it can be safely assumed too that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) are willing to take on Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) because they see that this could be precedent to help them fight other businesses or organizations that plan to do the same.
In essence, they are against deterrents to people going online because they want people to continue to use their services. Nonetheless, as long as the public comes out on top, all should be good.
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) shareholders includes David Tepper’s Appaloosa Management Lp which owned 442,259 shares of the company by the end of the third quarter. First Pacific Advisors Llc managed by Robert Rodriguez and Steven Romick reported owning about 16.05 million Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) by the end of September. Also by the end of the same quarter, Ken Heebner’s Capital Growth Management owned 1.34 million Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) shares.
Disclosure: None
