FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 August 2015

Introduction

A total of 1475 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 4 August 2015, this represented an increase from the 1214 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 53 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1475
States & territories reporting
53
Most common issue
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (504)
Most reported state/territory
California (185)

Where the complaints came from

Reports recorded on 4 August 2015 show 1475 complaints originating from 937 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

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 185 12.5%
Florida 110 7.5%
Texas 95 6.4%
Georgia 71 4.8%
New York 69 4.7%
Washington 68 4.6%
Maryland 63 4.3%
Pennsylvania 61 4.1%
Illinois 56 3.8%
Michigan 50 3.4%
Other states and territories 638 43.3%

Location highlight

Complaints in California were reported across 127 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1043 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1043 70.7%
Internet 256 17.4%
TV 137 9.3%
Radio 35 2.4%
Emergency 2 0.1%
Accessibility 1 0.1%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

1043 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 504 48.3%
Robocalls 248 23.8%
Billing 119 11.4%
Availability (including rural call completion) 43 4.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 41 3.9%
Privacy 21 2.0%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 20 1.9%
Equipment 19 1.8%
Junk Faxes 13 1.2%
Interference (including signal jammers) 7 0.7%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 5 0.5%

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

256 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 69 27.0%
Speed 57 22.3%
Availability 52 20.3%
Privacy 27 10.5%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 26 10.2%
Interference 19 7.4%
Equipment 6 2.3%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.

TV complaints

137 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 66 48.2%
Availability 25 18.2%
Equipment 19 13.9%
Indecency 14 10.2%
Loud Commercials 9 6.6%
Interference 2 1.5%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.7%

Billing and Availability 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 2.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 25 71.4%
Availability 3 8.6%
Indecency 3 8.6%
Billing 1 2.9%
Commercials/Promotions 1 2.9%
Equipment 1 2.9%
Pirate Radio 1 2.9%

Interference and Availability 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 4 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.