FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 October 2015
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1281 consumer complaints on Thursday, 1 October 2015 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1256 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1281
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (442)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (135)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 1 October 2015 show 1281 complaints originating from 854 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 | 135 | 10.5% |
| Florida | 112 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 69 | 5.4% |
| Maryland | 65 | 5.1% |
| Georgia | 64 | 5.0% |
| New York | 60 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | 58 | 4.5% |
| Michigan | 53 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 41 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 577 | 45.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 924 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 924 | 72.1% |
| Internet | 194 | 15.1% |
| TV | 99 | 7.7% |
| Radio | 57 | 4.4% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
924 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 442 | 47.8% |
| Robocalls | 235 | 25.4% |
| Billing | 101 | 10.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 33 | 3.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 29 | 3.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.1% |
| Equipment | 16 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 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
194 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 32.5% |
| Availability | 38 | 19.6% |
| Speed | 28 | 14.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 25 | 12.9% |
| Privacy | 20 | 10.3% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 4.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 48.5% |
| Equipment | 18 | 18.2% |
| Availability | 12 | 12.1% |
| Indecency | 8 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Equipment, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 44 | 77.2% |
| Indecency | 4 | 7.0% |
| Availability | 3 | 5.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 3.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 3.5% |
| Billing | 1 | 1.8% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.8% |
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.