FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 September 2015

Introduction

A total of 1223 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 29 September 2015, this represented an increase from the 1211 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was the most frequently reported issue, with 446 complaints recorded.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1223
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (446)
Most reported state/territory
California (135)

Where the complaints came from

On 29 September 2015, the 1223 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 801 cities across 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

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 135 11.0%
Florida 111 9.1%
Texas 90 7.4%
Georgia 63 5.2%
New York 57 4.7%
Virginia 48 3.9%
Pennsylvania 43 3.5%
Colorado 41 3.4%
New Jersey 41 3.4%
Maryland 40 3.3%
Other states and territories 553 45.2%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 883 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 883 72.2%
Internet 206 16.8%
TV 94 7.7%
Radio 29 2.4%
Emergency 6 0.5%
Accessibility 5 0.4%

Phone complaints

883 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 446 50.5%
Robocalls 214 24.2%
Billing 62 7.0%
Availability (including rural call completion) 35 4.0%
Equipment 28 3.2%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 26 2.9%
Privacy 23 2.6%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 18 2.0%
Junk Faxes 11 1.2%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 10 1.1%
Interference (including signal jammers) 7 0.8%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 3 0.3%

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

206 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 72 35.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 31 15.0%
Availability 29 14.1%
Speed 28 13.6%
Privacy 23 11.2%
Interference 18 8.7%
Equipment 5 2.4%

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

TV complaints

94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 38 40.4%
Equipment 17 18.1%
Availability 13 13.8%
Indecency 10 10.6%
Interference 9 9.6%
Loud Commercials 6 6.4%
Privacy 1 1.1%

Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 29 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.