FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 July 2015
Introduction
On Thursday, 30 July 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1600 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1375 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 52 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
- 1600
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (524)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (207)
Where the complaints came from
The 1600 complaints recorded on 30 July 2015 were submitted from 991 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 51 of the 80 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 207 | 12.9% |
| Florida | 126 | 7.9% |
| Texas | 106 | 6.6% |
| New York | 86 | 5.4% |
| Maryland | 80 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 71 | 4.4% |
| Georgia | 66 | 4.1% |
| Virginia | 62 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 60 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 52 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 672 | 42.0% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Maryland were heavily concentrated in Frederick, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1150 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1150 | 71.9% |
| Internet | 249 | 15.6% |
| TV | 131 | 8.2% |
| Radio | 65 | 4.1% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1150 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 524 | 45.6% |
| Robocalls | 270 | 23.5% |
| Billing | 110 | 9.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 67 | 5.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 47 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 44 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 29 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 17 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 1.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
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
249 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 77 | 30.9% |
| Availability | 50 | 20.1% |
| Speed | 46 | 18.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 24 | 9.6% |
| Privacy | 23 | 9.2% |
| Interference | 16 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 12 | 4.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
131 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 68 | 51.9% |
| Availability | 21 | 16.0% |
| Indecency | 16 | 12.2% |
| Equipment | 15 | 11.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 3.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 55 | 84.6% |
| Indecency | 5 | 7.7% |
| Availability | 2 | 3.1% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 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.