FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 October 2015
Introduction
On 5 October 2015, 1082 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 659 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with Florida recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was the most frequently reported issue, with 365 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1082
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (365)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (120)
Where the complaints came from
Across 744 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1082 complaints were recorded on 5 October 2015. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 120 | 11.1% |
| California | 115 | 10.6% |
| Texas | 63 | 5.8% |
| New York | 59 | 5.5% |
| Maryland | 57 | 5.3% |
| Georgia | 52 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.7% |
| Virginia | 40 | 3.7% |
| Massachusetts | 33 | 3.0% |
| Illinois | 30 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 462 | 42.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 746 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 746 | 68.9% |
| Internet | 172 | 15.9% |
| TV | 110 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 42 | 3.9% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
746 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 365 | 48.9% |
| Robocalls | 153 | 20.5% |
| Billing | 61 | 8.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 40 | 5.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 33 | 4.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 27 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 19 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
172 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 31.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 31 | 18.0% |
| Availability | 30 | 17.4% |
| Speed | 20 | 11.6% |
| Privacy | 19 | 11.0% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 9 | 5.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability.
TV complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 44.5% |
| Availability | 19 | 17.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 13.6% |
| Indecency | 11 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
42 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 36 | 85.7% |
| Indecency | 4 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.4% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.4% |
Interference and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.