FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 September 2015

Introduction

On Sunday, 20 September 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 356 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 495 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.

Key statistics

Total complaints
356
States & territories reporting
45
Most common issue
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (69)
Most reported state/territory
California (48)

Where the complaints came from

The 356 complaints recorded on 20 September 2015 were submitted from 270 cities across 45 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.

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 48 13.5%
Texas 35 9.8%
Florida 22 6.2%
Maryland 20 5.6%
Pennsylvania 19 5.3%
Arizona 18 5.1%
Virginia 15 4.2%
Georgia 14 3.9%
Tennessee 13 3.7%
Illinois 12 3.4%
Other states and territories 140 39.3%

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 162 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 109 complaints.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 162 45.5%
Internet 109 30.6%
TV 58 16.3%
Radio 17 4.8%
Emergency 6 1.7%
Accessibility 4 1.1%

Phone complaints

162 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 45.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 69 42.6%
Robocalls 30 18.5%
Billing 19 11.7%
Equipment 12 7.4%
Availability (including rural call completion) 10 6.2%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 9 5.6%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 5 3.1%
Privacy 3 1.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 2 1.2%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 1.2%
Junk Faxes 1 0.6%

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

109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 30.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 23 21.1%
Billing 21 19.3%
Speed 19 17.4%
Availability 17 15.6%
Interference 12 11.0%
Privacy 10 9.2%
Equipment 7 6.4%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Open Internet/Net Neutrality, Billing and Speed.

TV complaints

58 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Loud Commercials 18 31.0%
Billing 17 29.3%
Availability 11 19.0%
Equipment 4 6.9%
Indecency 4 6.9%
Interference 3 5.2%
Privacy 1 1.7%

Loud Commercials and Billing 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 20 September 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.