FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 September 2015
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1514 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 2 September 2015 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1356 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with Florida 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
- 1514
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (437)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (244)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1514 complaints were recorded on 2 September 2015, with reports originating from 888 cities in 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 244 | 16.1% |
| California | 150 | 9.9% |
| Maryland | 103 | 6.8% |
| Texas | 91 | 6.0% |
| New York | 71 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 58 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 57 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 54 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 52 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 47 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 586 | 38.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 927 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 927 | 61.2% |
| Internet | 388 | 25.6% |
| TV | 118 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 75 | 5.0% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
927 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 437 | 47.1% |
| Robocalls | 235 | 25.4% |
| Billing | 99 | 10.7% |
| Equipment | 37 | 4.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 3.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 27 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 21 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
388 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 155 | 39.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 91 | 23.5% |
| Availability | 55 | 14.2% |
| Speed | 38 | 9.8% |
| Privacy | 22 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 16 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 2.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Open Internet/Net Neutrality, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 46.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 24 | 20.3% |
| Availability | 14 | 11.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.6% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 67 | 89.3% |
| Indecency | 3 | 4.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 2.7% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 2.7% |
| Availability | 1 | 1.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.