FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 August 2015
Introduction
On 29 August 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 499 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1210 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 499
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (129)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (70)
Where the complaints came from
The 499 complaints recorded on 29 August 2015 originated from 366 cities across 48 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 25 of the 34 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 70 | 14.0% |
| Florida | 45 | 9.0% |
| Maryland | 34 | 6.8% |
| Georgia | 30 | 6.0% |
| New York | 25 | 5.0% |
| Texas | 25 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 22 | 4.4% |
| Washington | 17 | 3.4% |
| Massachusetts | 16 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 16 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 198 | 39.7% |
Location highlights
- A large share of complaints in Maryland originated from Frederick, which accounted for most reports within the state.
- California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 50 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 261 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 261 | 52.3% |
| Internet | 112 | 22.4% |
| TV | 86 | 17.2% |
| Radio | 37 | 7.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
261 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 52.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 129 | 49.4% |
| Robocalls | 70 | 26.8% |
| Billing | 24 | 9.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 8 | 3.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.4% |
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
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 26 | 23.2% |
| Billing | 26 | 23.2% |
| Speed | 20 | 17.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 12 | 10.7% |
| Privacy | 11 | 9.8% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
TV complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 31.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 21 | 24.4% |
| Availability | 17 | 19.8% |
| Indecency | 12 | 14.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability.
Radio complaints
37 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 31 | 83.8% |
| Indecency | 4 | 10.8% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.7% |
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.