FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 October 2015
Introduction
On Sunday, 4 October 2015, 659 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 592 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 48 states and territories, with Tennessee recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Billing was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 659
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Billing (135)
- Most reported state/territory
- Tennessee (83)
Where the complaints came from
Across 400 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 659 complaints were recorded on 4 October 2015. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Tennessee, where Chattanooga accounted for 65 of the 83 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 83 | 12.6% |
| Florida | 58 | 8.8% |
| California | 53 | 8.0% |
| Maryland | 52 | 7.9% |
| Georgia | 35 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | 30 | 4.6% |
| New York | 21 | 3.2% |
| Arizona | 20 | 3.0% |
| Texas | 20 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 256 | 38.8% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Tennessee were heavily concentrated in Chattanooga, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Internet accounted for the largest share, with 302 complaints. This was followed by Phone, which accounted for 169 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | 302 | 45.8% |
| Phone | 169 | 25.6% |
| Radio | 112 | 17.0% |
| TV | 73 | 11.1% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Internet complaints
302 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 45.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 118 | 39.1% |
| Billing | 99 | 32.8% |
| Speed | 32 | 10.6% |
| Availability | 27 | 8.9% |
| Privacy | 14 | 4.6% |
| Interference | 7 | 2.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 1.7% |
Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Phone complaints
169 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 80 | 47.3% |
| Robocalls | 38 | 22.5% |
| Billing | 20 | 11.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 4.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.6% |
| Privacy | 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.
Radio complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 70 | 62.5% |
| Interference | 38 | 33.9% |
| Billing | 1 | 0.9% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 0.9% |
| Equipment | 1 | 0.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 0.9% |
Indecency and Interference accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
73 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 27 | 37.0% |
| Billing | 15 | 20.5% |
| Availability | 13 | 17.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 16.4% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.4% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Indecency, Billing and Availability.
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.