FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 September 2015
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1256 consumer complaints on 30 September 2015 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1223 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 457 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1256
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (457)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (140)
Where the complaints came from
On 30 September 2015, the 1256 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 806 cities across 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 140 | 11.1% |
| Florida | 105 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 102 | 8.1% |
| New York | 67 | 5.3% |
| Georgia | 58 | 4.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 4.3% |
| Maryland | 50 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 49 | 3.9% |
| Virginia | 44 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 42 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 545 | 43.4% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 96 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 894 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 894 | 71.2% |
| Internet | 202 | 16.1% |
| TV | 121 | 9.6% |
| Radio | 36 | 2.9% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
894 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 457 | 51.1% |
| Robocalls | 215 | 24.0% |
| Billing | 62 | 6.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 39 | 4.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 28 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
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
202 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 28.7% |
| Availability | 45 | 22.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 33 | 16.3% |
| Speed | 20 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 19 | 9.4% |
| Privacy | 15 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 12 | 5.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality among the most common.
TV complaints
121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 36.4% |
| Indecency | 24 | 19.8% |
| Availability | 18 | 14.9% |
| Equipment | 16 | 13.2% |
| Interference | 9 | 7.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Indecency and Availability among the most common.
Radio complaints
36 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 27 | 75.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 8.3% |
| Availability | 2 | 5.6% |
| Billing | 2 | 5.6% |
| Indecency | 2 | 5.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, 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.