FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 September 2015
Introduction
A total of 1078 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 4 September 2015, this represented a decline from the 1177 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), with 419 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1078
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (419)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (122)
Where the complaints came from
On 4 September 2015, the 1078 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 694 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 45 of the 73 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 122 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 93 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 80 | 7.4% |
| Maryland | 73 | 6.8% |
| New York | 63 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 47 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 37 | 3.4% |
| Tennessee | 35 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 439 | 40.7% |
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
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 711 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 711 | 66.0% |
| Internet | 200 | 18.6% |
| TV | 103 | 9.6% |
| Radio | 60 | 5.6% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
711 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 419 | 58.9% |
| Robocalls | 153 | 21.5% |
| Billing | 42 | 5.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 17 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 16 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
200 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 24.0% |
| Availability | 44 | 22.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 37 | 18.5% |
| Speed | 29 | 14.5% |
| Privacy | 20 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 10 | 5.0% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality among the most common.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 42.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 14.6% |
| Availability | 14 | 13.6% |
| Equipment | 12 | 11.7% |
| Indecency | 8 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.8% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.9% |
Billing was the most commonly reported issue in this category, while other issues occurred less frequently.
Radio complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 51 | 85.0% |
| Indecency | 3 | 5.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 3.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 3.3% |
| Availability | 1 | 1.7% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.7% |
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.