FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 August 2015

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 309 consumer complaints on 23 August 2015 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 593 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 42 states and territories, with Maryland reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Billing was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.

Key statistics

Total complaints
309
States & territories reporting
42
Most common issue
Billing (62)
Most reported state/territory
Maryland (39)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 309 complaints were recorded on 23 August 2015, with reports originating from 233 cities in 42 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 32 of the 39 complaints recorded in the state.

The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.

State/Territory Complaints
Maryland 39 12.6%
California 34 11.0%
Georgia 23 7.4%
New York 18 5.8%
Texas 18 5.8%
Illinois 14 4.5%
Florida 13 4.2%
Pennsylvania 13 4.2%
Virginia 12 3.9%
New Jersey 9 2.9%
Other states and territories 116 37.5%

Location highlight

A large share of complaints in Maryland originated from Frederick, which accounted for most reports within the state.

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 135 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 85 complaints.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 135 43.7%
Internet 85 27.5%
TV 47 15.2%
Radio 38 12.3%
Emergency 3 1.0%
Accessibility 1 0.3%

Phone complaints

135 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 43.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 61 45.2%
Billing 23 17.0%
Robocalls 22 16.3%
Equipment 8 5.9%
Availability (including rural call completion) 5 3.7%
Privacy 5 3.7%
Interference (including signal jammers) 3 2.2%
Junk Faxes 3 2.2%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 3 2.2%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 1 0.7%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.7%

Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Internet complaints

85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 27.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 22 25.9%
Availability 17 20.0%
Speed 17 20.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 12 14.1%
Privacy 9 10.6%
Interference 6 7.1%
Equipment 2 2.4%

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

TV complaints

47 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 17 36.2%
Availability 14 29.8%
Equipment 7 14.9%
Loud Commercials 6 12.8%
Indecency 2 4.3%
Privacy 1 2.1%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Radio complaints

38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 36 94.7%
Availability 1 2.6%
Indecency 1 2.6%

Interference and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 23 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.