FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 October 2015
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1188 consumer complaints on Friday, 2 October 2015 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1281 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 467 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1188
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (467)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (161)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1188 complaints were recorded on 2 October 2015, with reports originating from 774 cities in 49 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 | 161 | 13.6% |
| Florida | 125 | 10.5% |
| Texas | 65 | 5.5% |
| Georgia | 60 | 5.1% |
| Maryland | 52 | 4.4% |
| New York | 51 | 4.3% |
| Virginia | 46 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 40 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 507 | 42.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 856 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 856 | 72.1% |
| Internet | 202 | 17.0% |
| TV | 92 | 7.7% |
| Radio | 31 | 2.6% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
856 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 467 | 54.6% |
| Robocalls | 183 | 21.4% |
| Billing | 66 | 7.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 30 | 3.5% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 18 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
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 17.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 76 | 37.6% |
| Availability | 38 | 18.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 32 | 15.8% |
| Speed | 20 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 16 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 14 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 42.4% |
| Indecency | 14 | 15.2% |
| Availability | 13 | 14.1% |
| Equipment | 12 | 13.0% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing represented the largest share of complaints recorded in this category, with lower volumes reported across the remaining issues.
Radio complaints
31 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 21 | 67.7% |
| Indecency | 5 | 16.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 6.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 6.5% |
| Billing | 1 | 3.2% |
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.