FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 July 2015
Introduction
A total of 1233 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 17 July 2015, complaint volume increased from 1217 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1233
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (417)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (169)
Where the complaints came from
The 1233 complaints recorded on 17 July 2015 were submitted from 789 cities across 48 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 49 of the 80 complaints recorded.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 169 | 13.7% |
| Florida | 118 | 9.6% |
| Texas | 97 | 7.9% |
| Maryland | 80 | 6.5% |
| New York | 65 | 5.3% |
| Michigan | 47 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 43 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 41 | 3.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 36 | 2.9% |
| Virginia | 36 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 498 | 40.4% |
Location highlight
Frederick accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Maryland.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 874 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 874 | 70.9% |
| Internet | 178 | 14.4% |
| TV | 105 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 66 | 5.4% |
| Emergency | 7 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
874 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 417 | 47.7% |
| Robocalls | 227 | 26.0% |
| Billing | 77 | 8.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 36 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 32 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 28 | 3.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
178 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 26.4% |
| Availability | 37 | 20.8% |
| Speed | 28 | 15.7% |
| Privacy | 24 | 13.5% |
| Equipment | 15 | 8.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 15 | 8.4% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.7% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
105 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 46.7% |
| Availability | 18 | 17.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 10 | 9.5% |
| Indecency | 10 | 9.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 53 | 80.3% |
| Indecency | 7 | 10.6% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 1.5% |
Interference and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
The information presented on this page is based on consumer complaint data submitted to regulatory authorities. References to telephone numbers reflect reports made by consumers and do not confirm ownership, authenticity, or that the number was genuinely associated with the call. Caller ID information may be inaccurate or subject to spoofing.
Complaint categories, dates and complainant locations are based on the source records and may contain incomplete, approximate or user-entered information. Location details refer to the complainant’s reported location, not the location of the caller or telephone number. This content is provided for informational purposes only.