FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 August 2015

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 371 consumer complaints on Sunday, 2 August 2015 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 573 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 47 states and territories, with Florida recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.

Key statistics

Total complaints
371
States & territories reporting
47
Most common issue
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (74)
Most reported state/territory
Florida (51)

Where the complaints came from

On 2 August 2015, the 371 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 259 cities across 47 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 30 of the 40 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
Florida 51 13.7%
California 42 11.3%
Maryland 40 10.8%
Texas 23 6.2%
Georgia 14 3.8%
North Carolina 13 3.5%
Pennsylvania 11 3.0%
Michigan 10 2.7%
New York 10 2.7%
Colorado 9 2.4%
Other states and territories 148 39.9%

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

A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 147 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 115 complaints.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 147 39.6%
Internet 115 31.0%
TV 70 18.9%
Radio 35 9.4%
Emergency 4 1.1%

Phone complaints

147 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 39.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 74 50.3%
Billing 22 15.0%
Robocalls 14 9.5%
Availability (including rural call completion) 10 6.8%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 7 4.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 6 4.1%
Equipment 6 4.1%
Privacy 6 4.1%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 1.4%

Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Internet complaints

115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 31.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 22 19.1%
Speed 22 19.1%
Billing 19 16.5%
Equipment 16 13.9%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 16 13.9%
Privacy 11 9.6%
Interference 9 7.8%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Speed and Billing among the most common.

TV complaints

70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Loud Commercials 25 35.7%
Billing 21 30.0%
Availability 9 12.9%
Equipment 5 7.1%
Interference 5 7.1%
Indecency 3 4.3%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.4%
Privacy 1 1.4%

Loud Commercials and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Radio complaints

35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 30 85.7%
Commercials/Promotions 2 5.7%
Pirate Radio 2 5.7%
Billing 1 2.9%

Interference and Commercials/Promotions accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 2 August 2015.

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.